This is a guest blog by Jane Exon, Apprenticeship Employer Development Manager at UWE Bristol.
July is always one of the most exciting and proud highlights of the year for all of us involved in apprenticeships at UWE Bristol. It is a moment to celebrate achievement, perseverance and business partnerships. We proudly applauded our 2026 Degree Apprentice graduates recognising not only the incredible learners who crossed the graduation stage, but also the businesses who invested in their potential and supported them throughout their journey.
A degree apprenticeship is never achieved alone.
Behind every apprentice graduating is a business that has committed time, investment, mentoring and encouragement – managers who have created opportunities, colleagues who have shared their own experiences, and businesses that decided to build the skills of their future workforce through apprenticeships.
Our graduates are a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when providers, employers and apprentices work together with a shared goal – the truest meaning of a triparty!
Amongst the many inspiring stories from this year’s graduation ceremonies was that of John Adesoye from Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
At the age of 64, John graduated with a BSc (Hons) Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, demonstrating that age should never be considered a barrier to learning, development or career progression. Having previously worked as an electronics technician, John changed careers, pursued opportunities through apprenticeships and has now qualified as a registered nurse. His story sends a powerful message to employers and potential apprentices alike: it is never too late to invest in your future. His journey highlights the transformative impact that apprenticeship opportunities can have on individuals, while showcasing Bristol NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to workforce development and lifelong learning.
Supporting the engineers and architects of the future
Across the School of Engineering and School of Architecture, our apprentice graduates are already making a positive impact across the region and beyond, helping to design infrastructure, deliver engineering solutions, shape sustainable buildings and contribute to the UK’s future skills base, proving that apprentices develop the technical capability to be future innovators and leaders in industry.
Standout examples include Prithvi Ramesh at Rolls-Royce, who was recognised as Engineering & Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards. The awards highlighted Prithvi’s technical excellence advocating for apprenticeships and inspiring future engineers, demonstrating that true engineering success lies not only in innovation but in inspiring future generations.
Hannah Hart from Atkins Realis successfully won the South West Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers 2026, impressing judges with her paper and presentation about the public response to flood alerts in Newport, South Wales. Hannah’s research found that many people were receiving and reading flood warnings but often didn’t understand them or know how to respond. “It highlighted that improving resilience is not only about predicting risk but communicating them effectively.’
Leonce Pereira with Safran Landing Systems who was a finalist in the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026. Leonce was shortlisted for combining technical excellence and design improvements with leadership and innovation, delivering impact through efficiency and improvement projects, while mentoring peers and promoting engineering careers through STEM outreach.
Thank you to our employer partners
At UWE Bristol we are proud to work alongside employers who are committed to future talent development through apprenticeships.
Smith Consult, whose support for apprentices continues to transform careers and strengthen the profession perfectly capturing what degree apprenticeships are all about in their reflections on this years’ graduations:
“For five years, they’ve juggled full-time roles, university study, independent learning and busy personal lives. Everything they have achieved is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it has been an absolute privilege to watch them grow into the accomplished engineers they are today. The support from UWE is so appreciated. The teaching team there have been fabulous, thank you.”
As we celebrate our apprentice graduates, we also celebrate the employers who have made these achievements possible. From businesses helping individuals redefine and retrain later in life, to supporting award-winning early career engineering talent, these partnerships continue to demonstrate the transformational power of degree apprenticeships.
To all our July 2026 graduates: congratulations.
You have balanced work, study and life commitments with resilience, determination and professionalism. Your achievements deserve to be celebrated.
And to every employer that has supported a UWE Bristol apprentice along the way: thank you for investing in people, skills and the future workforce.
Together, we are not simply awarding degrees. We are building futures.