Curtis Furniture Named Finalist in West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026

Curtis Furniture is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026 in the SME Business category.

The recognition highlights Curtis’s ongoing commitment to developing future talent through its apprenticeship programme, which plays a key role in supporting both the business and the wider manufacturing sector.

Apprenticeships have long been embedded within Curtis Furniture’s strategy, providing structured pathways into skilled roles across its production and manufacturing teams. By combining hands-on experience with formal training, the programme enables apprentices to build practical skills while gaining recognised qualifications.

Over the past four years, eight apprentices have successfully completed their training with Curtis, with several going on to secure permanent roles within the business. In the last year alone, three apprentices achieved distinctions — a reflection of both their dedication and the strength of the support provided.

Curtis works closely with training providers to ensure apprentices receive a well-rounded learning experience, with a strong focus on mentorship, technical development and real-world project involvement.

Being named a finalist in the awards recognises not only the success of the programme, but also the positive impact apprentices have across the business. From contributing to live projects to strengthening the company’s long-term workforce, apprentices are an integral part of Curtis’s continued growth.

Looking ahead, Curtis remains committed to investing in apprenticeships, with plans to expand the programme and create further opportunities for young people entering the manufacturing industry. The winners of the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026 will be announced later this year.

The other finalists are:

Intermediate Apprentice

• Alfie Rayne, Kirklees Council, Calderdale College
• Belinda Adams, The Valley Project, Calderdale College
• Catherine Watson, Hilton Leeds City, Lifetime Training
• Desmond Norris, Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd, Textile Centre of Excellence
• Faith Loynes, Bagnalls, Leeds College of Building
• Jamie Cawthra, Kirklees Council, Calderdale College 

Advanced Apprentice

• Ariba Matloob, BDCU Credit Union, Bradford College
• Gabrielle Ellis. Floor Store, NowSkills
• Gurman Dev, WSP, Leeds College of Building
• Hudson Nunn, Enable Futures, T3 Training & Development
• Imogen Stoddart, DePuy Synthes (Johnson and Johnson MedTech), Appris
• Isabelle Styslo, ASG Produmax Ltd, Appris
• James Thomas, Jet2.com, Apprentify
• Joe Jamieson, Yorkshire Water, Bridgewater and Taunton
• Missy Mortimer, CO Manufacturing, JGA Group
• Samantha Peachy, Calderdale College 

Higher Apprentice

• Adeoye Adedayo, CO Manufacturing, Nine Dots Development
• Bethany Logan, Jet2.com, BPP
• Dan Higgins, Yorkshire Water , Sheffield Hallam
• Emil Bindi, Sulzer Pumps Leeds, Appris
• Imogen Lidster, URM UK Limited, Remit Training
• Jack Peacock, Wates Group, Leeds College of Building
• William Sykes, Eastriding Council, Leeds College of Building 

Degree Apprentice

• Callum Hibbert, Yorkshire Water
• Jasmine Hibbert, ASG Produmax Ltd, Appris
• Joe Taylor, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Corndel
• Mason Cowley, NG Bailey (IT Services), Staffordshire University
• Maya Zamir, Mott Macdonald, Northumbria University
• Tom Butler, CML Civil Engineering, Leeds College of Building 

Construction Apprentice

• Ashley Tordoff, Hutton and Cawood, Calderdale College
• George Davies, Crowther & Shaw Mechanical Services, Calderdale College
• Kier Dalton, Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
• Martin Barlow, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Teaching FT, Leeds College of Building
• Martyn Priestley, Bradford Council, Leeds college of Building
• Ryan Spinks, Equans, Leeds Beckett University
• Shelley Denton, NHS Property Services Ltd, Calderdale College
• Sonny McNamara, Cotterills Heating , Calderdale College 

Health and Public Service Apprentice

• Claire Pickard, Timeout Children's Home, Calderdale College
• Jenny Dewhirst, Calderdale Council, Calderdale College
• Nicola Smith, William Henry Smith, Calderdale College
• Om Patel, Labcorp Drug Development, Manchester Metropolitan University 

Engineering / Manufacturing Apprentice

• Emma Wassell, Powell UK Ltd, Appris
• Farhan Miah, Arup, Leeds College of Building
• George Jackson, Craftsman Tools Ltd, Bradford College
• Isabelle Styslo, ASG Produmax Ltd, Appris
• Joe Rhodes, ITV, Leeds College of Building
• Micah Charles, Powell (UK) Ltd, Appris
• Owen Parsons, GS-Hyrdo, Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
• Sorrell Kidd, Carlsberg Britvic, Appris 

Professional Services Apprentice

• Aiste Sarvaite, The Kakoty Practice, Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
• Connor McClements, Omega Security Systems Ltd, Calderdale College
• Ellie Whittingham, Jet2, LDN Apprenticeships
• Joe Taylor, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays,
• Corndel Mujahid Khan, WDS Chartered Accountants, Kirklees College
• Natalie Stephenson-Quayle, Ridley and Hall Solicitors, BPP 

Technology and Digital Apprentice

• Caleb Graham , Systra, Leeds College of Building
• Ceridwen Grey, Jet2.com, BPP
• Chloe Collinson, Parker Hannifin, Kirklees College
• Matthew Widdop, Intelligency Group, Apprentify
• Sophie Steel, Jet2.com, Apprentify 

Mentor of the Year

• Andy Holt, Bagnalls, Leeds College of Building
• Bobby Ramsay, Lumi and Lumiere, HOET
• Helen Rutherford, Exceed Training Company Ltd
• Michael Coates, Calderdale College
• Naomi Davis, DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson MedTech), Appris
• Rachael Wood , First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber
• Scarlett Rayner, Calderdale College 

Apprentice Ambassador of the Year

• Aisha Ayub, Skipton Building Society, Institute Of Internal Auditors
• Cerys Glynn, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, The Apprenticeship Academy
• Lucie Gresham-Hill, Willmott Dixon Construction, UBE
• Micah Charles, Powell (UK) Ltd, Appris 
• Oliva Buckley, First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber 

SME Employer of the Year

• ASG Produmax Ltd, Appris
• BDCU Credit Union, Bradford College
• Curtis Furniture, North Lancashire Training College
• URM UK Limited

Large Employer of the Year

• Bagnalls, Leeds College of Building
• Cummins Components and Software (CCS)
• Jet2,com and Jet2holidays
• NG Bailey

Training Provider/Programme

• Bradford College
• Calderdale College Future Leaders Programme
• Cliffe House Day Nurseries Ltd
• First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber
• Heart of Yorkshire Education Group - Apprenticeships Team
• Kirklees College - Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship Programme
• Leeds College of Building (LCB)
• Textile Centre of Excellence