AWARD CATEGORIES
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION AWARD (1 to 249 employees)
For small to medium sized businesses that have invested sustainably in inspiring the next generation.
AWARD FINALISTS
Maintenance and Contracting Services (MCS)
Award Criteria -
Purpose: Please outline why your business invests in reaching young people and how this supports your business plans.
Partnership: Please detail how your business has engaged over the last year e.g. which establishments you have worked with,
what activities you have delivered, how many young people you have reached.
Impact: Please outline the benefits this has delivered to your business and / or the young people.
Sponsored by Young Somhttps://www.youngsomerset.org.uk/erset
At Young Somerset, our mission is to empower young people to thrive—personally, socially, and professionally. We believe that smaller businesses play a vital role in shaping the future by creating opportunities, nurturing talent, and modelling the values of innovation, resilience, and social responsibility.
Sponsoring the Inspiring the Next Generation award is a natural extension of our commitment to supporting those who invest in the potential of others. We want to celebrate the smaller businesses that go beyond profit to uplift their communities and help young people believe in what’s possible.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION AWARD (250+ employees)
For an individual or a company that has effectively inspired young people about future career opportunities.
AWARD FINALISTS
Award Criteria -
Purpose: Please outline why your business invests in reaching young people and how this supports your business plans.
Partnership: Please detail how your business has engaged over the last year e.g. which establishments you have worked with, what activities you have delivered, how many young people you have reached.
Impact: Please outline the benefits this has delivered to your business and / or the young people.
BEST CAREERS FOCUSED PRIMARY SCHOOL
For the Primary School that has delivered high quality inspiration, information and guidance for learners.
AWARD FINALISTS
Churchfield Church School, Highbridge
Manor Court Community Primary School, Chard
Wiveliscombe Primary School, Wiveliscombe
Award Criteria -
Programme: Please detail the key elements of your careers programme, how these are embedded and how the programme meets student need.
Partnership: Please detail the internal and external partners you have worked with to deliver this programme.
Impact: Please show evidence of how this has benefitted students throughout the school.
MCS chose to sponsor the Best Careers Focused Primary School award at the Somerset Careers Awards because we believe that meaningful careers engagement should start early. Children in primary school are more aware and curious about the world of work than we often realise. By introducing them to a broad range of opportunities at a young age, we help them build aspirations and make informed decisions as they progress into secondary education.
Early exposure ensures they are not limited by stereotypes or lack of awareness, giving them the confidence to explore their potential with open minds.
Sponsored by MCS
BEST CAREERS FOCUSED SECONDARY SCHOOL
For the Secondary School that has delivered high quality inspiration, information and guidance for learners.
AWARD FINALISTS
Court Fields School, Wellington
Hugh Sexey Middle School, Wedmore
Award Criteria -
Programme: Please detail the key elements of your careers programme, how these are embedded and how the programme meets student need.
Partnership: Please detail the internal and external partners you have worked with to deliver this programme.
Impact: Please show evidence of how this has benefitted students throughout the school.
Sponsored by Kiely Group
We have picked this category because we recognise how important it is to inspire young adults and motivate them, as we believe in giving the youth of today the encouragement, recognition, and opportunities they need to thrive and shape a brighter future.
YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
For young people who have independently taken proactive steps to preparing for the workplace.
AWARD FINALISTS
Freya
James
Samuel
Award Criteria -
Attitude: Please outline how the student has demonstrated their interest in preparing for their next step.
Action and achievements: Please detail the specific steps the student has taken to preparing for the next steps and any related achievement.
Next steps: Please outline how the student plans to take their next steps or future career.
.png)
Sponsored by Hinkley Point C Project
Each year Hinkley Point C supports thousands of local young people with their career journey, inspiring them to develop their talents, engage with opportunities at Hinkley Point C, and help Britain achieve Net Zero. We are passionate about enabling young people to achieve their potential and are delighted to be able to sponsor this award.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: SUPPORTED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
For a supported intern who has made a great contribution to their employer.
AWARD FINALISTS
Alex
Ella
Charlie
Award Criteria -
Commitment: Please outline how your intern demonstrated their commitment to the placement.
Achievements: Please detail your intern’s key achievements during the placement.
Next steps: Please detail how your intern plans to progress following their internship.
Sponsored by Yeovil College
At Yeovil College our mission is 'to create life-change opportunities' for all of our learners. We do this by 'shaping an exciting future with the best education and collaboration'.
Yeovil College is proud to sponsor the Imagine the Possibilities: Supported Employee of the Year, for a supported intern who has made a great contribution to their employer at the Somerset Careers Awards 2025. This sponsorship reflects our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our community by recognising the achievements of amazing Supported Interns within fantastic employer partner settings. We believe in the importance of providing opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or abilities. This award aligns with our mission to inspire and support the next generation. We are excited to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals and to promote a supportive and inclusive environment for all learners.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
For the employer who has provided a high-quality supported internship.
AWARD FINALISTS
Award Criteria -
Preparation: Please outline how your business prepared to deliver its Supported Internship programme.
Delivery: Please outline how your business delivered the programme and supported the interns.
Impact: Please outline how the placement benefited the individuals and the business.
Next steps: Please detail your future plans in relation to supported employment.
Sponsored by Imagine the Possibilities
BEST NEWCOMER AWARD FOR CAREERS OUTREACH
For an organisation or individual that has recently established career learning opportunities or work connections for young people in Somerset.
AWARD FINALISTS
Award Criteria -
Programme: Please detail the key elements of the career learning opportunities or work connections and how these meet student need.
Partnership: Please detail the internal and external partners you have worked with to deliver these programmes.
Impact: Please outline the benefits this has delivered to your business and / or the young people.
JUSTIN COLLIS AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE ADVISER OF THE YEAR
For the Enterprise Adviser who has supported education leaders to develop their careers provision.
AWARD FINALISTS
Jonathan Dicker, Numatic International
Jonathan Taylor, Branston
Sam Harper, Stantec UK Ltd
Award Criteria -
Purpose: Please outline how this person has demonstrated the key elements of supporting and developing the careers provision with their partner school.
Partnership: Please detail the internal and external partners they have worked with to deliver this programme.
Impact: Please outline the benefits this has delivered the school and / or the young people.
We are excited to be able to present this new award this year, The Justin Collis Enterprise Advisor the year award; named in Justin’s honour after he sadly passed away in November 2024. Justin was the perfect example of what an Enterprise Advisor should be; always happy to support not just his schools but the wider network. He didn’t focus on the barriers, he focused on what we could do differently. This award will go to the Enterprise Advisor who embodied Justin’s spirt for volunteering their time to ensure that the young people of Somerset were afforded opportunities to develop their career readiness and be as prepared for their next steps as possible.
Sponsored by Wincanton
Wincanton is honoured to sponsor such a worthy category—not only in memory of Justin and his contributions, but also to continue recognising the incredible advisers. We are grateful for
the support we have received as a business, for our fantastic colleagues, and for the tremendous support they provide to the wider community. Looking forward to celebrating with all the deserving nominees
CAREERS LEADER OF THE YEAR
For the careers leader who has facilitated high quality inspiration, information and guidance for learners.
AWARD FINALISTS
Charity Hunt, Court Fields School, Wellington
Gemma Glentworth, Stanchester Academy, Stoke-sub-Hamdon
Tara Hoskin, The Bridge School, Bridgwater
Award Criteria -
Programme: Please detail the key elements of your careers programme and how this meets student need.
Partnership: Please detail the internal and external partners you have worked with to deliver this programme.
Impact: Please show evidence of how this has benefitted students throughout the school.
OUTSTANDING PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
For an individual that has contributed significantly to developing the next generation in Somerset over a sustained period.
AWARD FINALISTS
Bernie Green, Preston Primary Academy Trust
Emma France, Specialised & Personalised Training Services (SPTS)
Phil Trevett, Somerset Larder
Award Criteria -
Service: Please outline how this person has inspired or supported young people over several years.
Impact: Please outline how this person has made a lasting positive impact on those they have supported.
Commitment: Please outline how this person has gone beyond the requirements of their job role to inspire and support young people.
Sponsored by Discovery
Discovery believe that true progress and innovation are driven by individuals who go above and
beyond—those who challenge the status quo, lead by example, and inspire positive change. That’s why we are proud to sponsor the Outstanding Personal Contribution Award.