SRC Higher Level Apprenticeship Team shortlisted for Excellence Award
15th May 2026
The Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) team at Southern Regional College have been announced as finalists in the upcoming Business Excellence Awards. The team were shortlisted for the award within the category ‘Excellence in Skills & Workforce Capability’. The final results will be announced in an awards ceremony on Thursday 4th June at Titanic, Belfast.
In being shortlisted for the award, the team demonstrated their strategy for developing skills and workforce capability, plus their commitment to developing employability prospects. The team, initially devised in September 2014 with one HLA programme, seven apprentices and four employers has grown from strength to strength.
At the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year, the team achieved its largest ever intake, recruiting 272 apprentices across 20 Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes. These programmes span a wide range of sectors including Accounting, Science, Business, Computing, Construction, Digital Marketing, Engineering, Fintech, Hospitality and Sport, supporting the workforce needs of 209 businesses.
Central to their success, has been the development of a purpose-built HLA portal. A digital platform directly connecting employers with HLA applicants. The portal has streamlined employer recruitment processes, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing the overall experience for both employers and potential apprentices.
Beyond technology, the team continued to strengthen employer and community engagement through its annual ‘Big Apprenticeship Events’. The most recent events, covering the district councils of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down, in February 2026 witnessed almost 2,000 attendees engaging with over 80 employers and support organisations over two nights. The success of these events highlights the growing demand for apprenticeship opportunities and skills development.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to see our Higher Level Apprenticeship team recognised as finalists in these prestigious awards. This achievement reflects the dedication, innovation and hard work of staff who continue to drive the programme forward.
The growth the team have experienced, highlights the real demand for high-quality apprenticeship pathways that directly support industry needs while creating meaningful career opportunities for people across the region.
We are particularly proud of the strong partnerships we have built with local businesses and the impact our HLA programmes are having in developing the skilled workforce. To be shortlisted in this category is a significant recognition of the College’s aim to be at the forefront of providing a positive learning environment and working with local employers to meet the needs of the economy.”
