The superb partnerships being forged between local businesses and local colleges to support students were celebrated at the annual Employer Awards 2025 held at Southport College.
The glittering event was organised by Southport Education Group, which operates both Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College, along with Employers Partnerships and Compete.
It was hosted by Principal Michelle Brabner and by Andrew Hilbert, with awards presented to a wide array of supportive businesses and organisations from the region.
It saw the sports hall at Southport College transformed into a stunning awards venue by Moonlight Events, owned by Scott Mackin, a former KGV Sixth Form College student who was recently named a Finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
It’s been a busy week at the colleges.
Last week, they welcomed over 1,000 Year 10 pupils to their campuses for Taster Days, a fantastic opportunity to experience college life and get inspired about their next steps.
This week began with WelcomeFest events, where they greeted our new students starting in September with ice cream vans, alpacas, and plenty of energy and excitement.
The highlight of this week has been Awards Week 2025. From celebrating exceptional employer partnerships to recognising the achievements of our talented students at both Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College, it’s been a true showcase of ambition, creativity and collaboration.
T Level Partner Employer of the Year
This honours employers who have gone above and beyond in supporting T Level students during their industry placements. Their commitment to bridging education and industry has provided students with invaluable real-world experience.
Finalists:
– Techedia
– Hugh Baird
– United Legal Assistance
– Truline CIS
– Farnborough Road Infant School
– Mersey & West Lancs NHS Trust
Michelle Brabner said: “Despite facing their own internal challenges, this employer has developed a robust and inclusive industry placement programme. They’ve supported students with diverse needs, offering rich experiences across multiple areas, as well as thorough inductions, meaningful training and college visits too.
“Their dedication to nurturing the next generation of Health professionals is truly admirable.”
Winner: Mersey & West Lancs NHS Trust
Work Placement Partner Employer of the Year
This award recognises employers who have gone above and beyond to provide impactful, real-world work placements for students.
Finalists:
– The Grange School
– Meggi Lashes
– Botanic Gardens – Green Sefton
– Locharwoods
– Rice Lane Animal Farm
Michelle Brabner said: “This year’s placements with this employer have come with their share of challenges, yet their continued patience and support has been invaluable. The setting not only enriches our students’ learning journey but also strengthens a vital community resource.
“Their patience and support have made a lasting difference, and we really value the strong partnership we’ve built over the past two years.”
Winner: Botanic Gardens, Green Sefton
Inclusive Employer Partner – Employer of the Year
This award celebrates employers who champion diversity and provide meaningful opportunities for students with additional needs.
Finalists:
– St Marks, Scarisbrick Road
– Southport Community Sports
– The Learning Rooms
– The Co-Operative, Marshside
– Cancer Research UK
Michelle Brabner said: “This employer has been a key partner of the Southport Education Group, offering valuable opportunities and showing exceptional commitment to students with additional needs.
“Their inclusive approach, investing time and care to create supportive environments, has empowered students to grow in confidence, develop essential skills, and prepare for their futures.
“They exemplify the spirit of inclusivity and inspire both the education and business communities.”
Winner: Southport Community Sports
Active Collaboration Partner Employer of the Year
This award recognises employers who have worked closely with Southport Education Group to enrich student learning through real-world engagement.
From Employer Set Projects to Mock Interviews and Apprenticeship Fairs, these partners have brought industry into the classroom, helping students connect academic learning with practical experience.
Finalists:
– Hatters –
– Gardiner Theobold
– AMP EV
– United Legal Assistance
– Mersey & West Lancs NHS Trust
– Biograd
Michelle Brabner said: “We began a partnership with this employer, who is committed to supporting students in pursuing their career goals, just over a year ago. The collaboration has flourished, with industry professionals delivering inspiring and practical sessions to our learners.
“Together we launched a new lecture series during our International Women’s Day celebrations, featuring a distinguished guest speaker and former KGV student. The employer has also generously donated equipment and provided full training for our teaching staff, ensuring students benefit from the latest tools and techniques.
“Recently our students spent a week in their professional labs, gaining hands-on experience with medical equipment such as spirometers, ECG machines, ultrasound scanners, and more.
“They are not just an outstanding employer, but a valued partner who shares our vision for education, aspiration, and opportunity.”
Winner: Biograd
Compete Apprenticeships + Training Awards
For employers across a range of sectors who have provided exceptional opportunities and outstanding support for their apprentices.
These employers offer fantastic, structured training programmes that combine hands-on experience with academic learning as well as mentorship and guidance that nurtures both professional and personal growth.
Finalists:
1. The Learning Rooms
2. The Big Help Group
3. Hazeldene
Michelle Brabner said: “We are proud to have a long-standing and valued partnership with this employer. They consistently create a supportive, inclusive, and enriching work environment and their dedication to nurturing talent and professional growth makes a significant impact on the development and confidence of Apprentices.
“What’s more, they provide an essential and compassionate service to the Southport community.”
Winner: The Learning Rooms
Catering Apprenticeships
Finalists:
1. Sefton Catering Services
2. The Windmill
3. The Ship
Michelle Brabner said: “This employer continues to set the standard for excellence in catering within their sector. Their unwavering support for learners and commitment to quality improvement have made a lasting impact. Over the past year, they’ve strengthened their collaboration with our Progress Coach, creating a partnership built on trust, communication, and shared goals.
“Their proactive engagement with our initiatives to enhance learner outcomes, combined with the nurturing environment they provide, has contributed significantly to student success. Their dedication to continuous improvement and learner support makes them a truly deserving recipient of this award once again.”
Winner: Sefton Catering Services
Business & Finance Apprenticeships
Finalists:
1. Liverpool University Foundation Hospital Trust
2. Sefton Council
3. Sterling Material Handling
4. Forshaws
5. Mersey & West Lancs NHS Trust
Michelle Brabner said: “We’re proud to have a long and meaningful partnership with this employer, supporting countless apprentices along the way. Their ongoing collaboration and trust have been invaluable as we continue to raise the bar in quality and delivery.
“What sets them apart is their unwavering dedication to their apprentices’ growth. They go above and beyond to create opportunities, provide guidance, and ensure every apprentice has the tools to thrive, even in the most challenging of environments.”
Winner: Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust
Construction Industry Apprenticeships
Finalists:
1. ECS Southport Ltd
2. Structec
3. Tower Heating
Michelle Brabner said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate a new partner who has embraced our apprenticeship programme with energy and dedication. From fully engaging with our new induction programme to actively supporting our apprenticeship conference, training sessions, and tripartite reviews.
“Their commitment is clear in everything they do and the progress and enthusiasm of their apprentices speaks volumes about the supportive environment they’ve created.£
Winner: Structec
Engineering Apprenticeships
Finalists:
1. SC Packaging
2. Bryken.
3. Sterling Material Handling
Michelle Brabner said: “This employer has quickly become a standout partner, offering exceptional opportunities and support for their engineering apprentices. Their full engagement with the college and commitment to apprentice development is clear in every aspect of their involvement.
“They provide high-quality technical training and invaluable mentorship. Their proactive role in curriculum development ensures apprentices are well-prepared for real-world challenges, making a lasting impact on learner success.”
Winner: Sterling Material Handling
Boss it Week – Visiting Lecturers
Biograd – Dr Natalie Kenny
Active Profile – Anna Heyes
Merseyrail – Sally Ralston BEM
Hatters – Sarah Jacksopn
Hickory’s – Ben Henderson
Adventure Coast Southport – Norman Wallis
Magistrate – Jon Elliot
Gardinder & Theobold – Emma Scott-Miller
Sefton Council – Sarah Townley
Momentum – Karl Clawley
Liverpool John Moores University – Monica McCardle
Bryken – Elaine Delahunt
At the end of the last academic year, our KGV Director of Curriculum, Jane Rowley, had a new idea for bringing real-world employer experiences into the classroom for A Level students. Working in close collaboration with Madeleine and also Gary Dicker from our Marketing team, Boss It Week was born.
They recently welcomed 11 employers into college, each contributing their time, expertise, and creativity to deliver a week filled with innovation, collaboration and inspiring project work.
Michelle Brabner said: “Visiting Lecturers play a vital role in enriching our curriculum and educational support. By bringing their real-world industry experience directly into the classroom, they offer students invaluable insights that go beyond textbooks.
“Their contributions help bridge the gap between theory and practice, making learning more engaging, relevant, and inspiring. This connection to current industry practices not only enhances student understanding but also better prepares them for the realities of the workplace.
“We would like to thank this first person for her inspiring lectures. Her passion, expertise, and ability to connect with students has made a lasting impact.
“She brings science to life and motivates learners to aim higher, think critically, and pursue their ambitions with confidence.”
Winner: Dr. Natalie Kenny, BioGrad
Outstanding Contribution Awards
This year’s Outstanding Contribution Award recognises two employers whose dedication, innovation, and leadership have made a lasting impact on T Level Management and Administration programmes.
Michelle Brabner said: “Both have played pivotal roles in shaping a curriculum that reflects real-world industry needs, ensuring our students are not only work-ready but also inspired to become future leaders. Their mentoring, curriculum development, and hands-on learning has elevated the student experience and set a benchmark for employer engagement.
“One has led groundbreaking initiatives such as the Next-Gen Energy Project and supported international collaboration through the U.S.-UK exchange programme—demonstrating how local partnerships can have global influence. The other has provided outstanding placements, guided students through complex business projects, and brought a level of precision and professionalism that has transformed employer-led learning.
“Together, they exemplify what sustainable, impactful partnerships between education and industry look like. Empowering students, enriching our curriculum, and linking the classroom and the workplace.”
Winners: Chameleon Events and Ifi Audio
Southport Education Group Employer Partner of the Year
Michelle Brabner said: “This goes to an organisation whose impact on our students has been nothing short of extraordinary. They have gone above and beyond to support learners through apprenticeships, work placements, and T Level opportunities — offering real-world experience that transforms classroom knowledge into meaningful, hands-on learning.
“Even when faced with immense pressures themselves, they continue to open their doors, share their expertise and invest in the next generation with unwavering generosity and care. “They actively shape our curriculum, ensuring it reflects the realities of the healthcare sector and prepares our students to step into their careers with confidence and capability.
“Their strategic insight and collaborative spirit keep our programmes relevant, responsive, and forward-thinking. The dedication they show to both our college and our learners is a shining example of what true partnership looks like.”
Winner: Mersey & West Lancashire NHS Trust
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