Here's why Ben was nominated by his tutor:

"Ben is an exceptional apprentice who has demonstrated remarkable growth, resilience, and leadership potential during his apprenticeship. When sickness within the team created an unexpected gap, Ben stepped forward and confidently supported responsibilities normally carried out by a fully qualified Application Support Analyst. What could have been a daunting situation instead became an opportunity for Ben to prove his capability, curiosity, and determination.

Ben quickly became a key contributor in supporting the Tribal EBS system, which underpins critical student and applicant processes. He liaised directly with the system supplier, Tribal, supported diagnostics and issue resolution, and helped ensure the system remained reliable for staff and applicants. His work has had a direct impact on maintaining a smooth application and learner journey, ensuring prospective students can access services and begin their educational pathways with confidence.

What truly sets Ben apart is his attitude. He approaches every challenge with positivity and an inquisitive mindset. Rather than hesitating, he embraces new tasks, asks thoughtful questions, and actively seeks solutions. Being “thrown in at the deep end” only strengthened his confidence and accelerated his development.

Alongside operational support, Ben improved internal efficiency by standardising application communication templates and workflows, and by enhancing SharePoint knowledge resources for staff.

Ben’s work supports the College’s ambition of transforming lives through learning by strengthening the digital systems that underpin the student experience. His initiative, resilience, and enthusiasm make him a truly deserving candidate for Leadership, Business and Digital Apprentice of the Year."

Ben Austin, who won the Leadership, Business and Digital Apprentice of the Year category, has completed an ICT Level 3 qualification as part of an Apprenticeship at The Sheffield College.

Ben said: "I feel I've earned this award and I'm buzzing from it. Doing an Apprenticeship has really boosted my confidence. I really love problem solving and enjoy coming into work at the college because of the people I work with."