We are proud to announce that both the Textile Centre of Excellence and our apprentice nominee, Desmond Norris of Abraham Moon & Sons, received Highly Commended recognition at the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026.

Earlier this year, we shared the exciting news that we had been shortlisted for Training Provider of the Year and that Desmond had been nominated in the Higher Apprentice category. Attending the awards ceremony was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers and training providers from across West Yorkshire.

Receiving Highly Commended recognition in the Training Provider/Programme category is a significant achievement for our organisation and reflects the dedication of our team, employer partners and learners. Together, we work to deliver high-quality training programmes that help develop the skills needed to support the future of the textile and manufacturing industries.

We are equally delighted that Desmond Norris was recognised as Highly Commended in the Higher Apprentice category. Throughout his apprenticeship with Abraham Moon & Sons, Desmond has demonstrated exceptional commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism. His recognition highlights the positive impact apprentices can have within their businesses and industries, and we are incredibly proud of what he has achieved.

As we continue celebrating our 50th anniversary year, this recognition is particularly meaningful. For five decades, we have been committed to supporting skills development, nurturing talent and helping businesses invest in their future workforce. To be recognised alongside some of the region’s leading apprenticeship providers is something we are immensely proud of.

We would like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists, highly commended recipients and winners. The awards showcased the incredible talent, dedication and innovation taking place across apprenticeship programmes throughout West Yorkshire.

Most importantly, we would like to congratulate Desmond on his well-deserved recognition. We are proud to have supported him throughout his apprenticeship journey and look forward to seeing his continued success in the future.

Thank you to everyone who supports our work, our apprentices and the employers who partner with us. This recognition belongs to all of us.