Winner: JAMES GRAHAM
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
3M’ s James Graham was presented with the Apprentice of the Year award by Will Woodhouse of category sponsor Hiyed.
Winner: JAMES GRAHAM
His apprenticeship journey began four years ago – and now James Graham is an award-winner.
A Level 3 science industry technician apprentice at 3M, James, of Shildon, recently completed an engineering mechatronics HNC through NC Group.
He was“ over the moon” to pick up the Apprentice of the Year title at the Make Your Mark Awards 2026, pipping GEM Partnership’ s Ella Hancock and Marc Lally from BTS / South West Durham Training to the title.
But back in 2022, he wasn’ t even sure engineering was for him.
He explained:“ I applied online four years ago when I was 19. To be honest, I had no interest in being an engineer at the time.
“ I’ d taken a year out after college to figure out what I wanted to do and my mum mentioned apprenticeships as an option. I’ d never really considered one until then, so I went through the list on the government website and ticked what appealed to me.
“ I got the interview, thought I did quite well and found out a few months later I was getting it.”
James was born in Germany and spent his early life“ in various places” because of dad Dave’ s role in the military.
But once settled in Shildon, it was ideal to get a role on nearby Aycliffe Business Park – even if it was tricky at first.
He said:“ I wasn’ t sure what I was doing to start with and I didn’ t feel like I really did until quite recently. You get praise and recognition from the people you work with but until you’ re in the job and doing what you’ re supposed to be doing, you don’ t really feel qualified to be where you are.
“ But the people I work with are great. They treat you like one of the lads, like you’ ve been there forever.
“ I’ ve been on site for a while now so I’ ve spent time outside working with lots of them – they’ re friends to me now, not just colleagues.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2025: MATTHEW DAVIS( 3M) 2024: KYLE BARTLE( HUSQVARNA) 2022: ELLIE SHOOTER( DIGITAL EDGE) 2018: KAYLEE MCNALLY( ARLINGTON AUTOMOTIVE) 2016: BEN THUBRON( BALTIC TRAINING) 2015: LUKE REYNOLDS( GREGG LITTLE TESTING CENTRE) 2014: TOM WISE( D & S SERVICES)
ELLA HANCOCK( GEM Partnership) Ella has transformed from an inexperienced school leaver into a highly trusted operational team member at GEM Partnership.
Demonstrating remarkable dedication, she completed her Level 3 business administrator and Level 2 recruitment resourcer apprenticeships with distinction.
Ella plays a critical role in supporting the demanding Husqvarna contract, consistently managing complex, highvolume tasks with maturity and accuracy.
Despite facing intense operational pressures and a mid-programme change in trainers, her professionalism and determination have never wavered.
With outstanding communication skills and reliability, Ella is destined for a highly successful recruitment career.
MARC LALLY( BTS Facades and South West Durham Training) Marc has demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication throughout his journey with South West Durham Training.
Joining in 2021, he progressed from Level 2 to Level 3 with distinction grades, impressively overcoming redundancy to successfully complete his apprenticeship with BTS Facades & Fabrications.
Now a highly skilled professional trusted with specialist equipment and fire warden duties, Marc is advancing to a Level 4 apprenticeship.
With ambitions to become a coded welder and supervisor, his involvement in major projects and commitment to sustainability make him an excellent apprenticeship ambassador and a highly deserving Apprentice of the Year candidate.
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 21