The 2025 Royal Signals Apprentice of the Year Awards took place in Blandford on 19 Jun and were an opportunity to recognise those from around the Corps who had excelled in their individual apprenticeships, or fostered a positive culture aimed at improving the lived experience of apprentices. Applications were invited from across the Corps and were screened and marked by Corps Appointments, Heads of Trade, Corps SM and a member of staff of the civilian Service Provider for apprenticeships to the Royal Signals, The Colleges’ Partnership (TCP)
The 2025 Royal Signals Apprentice of the Year Awards took place in Blandford on 19 Jun and were an opportunity to recognise those from around the Corps who had excelled in their individual apprenticeships, or fostered a positive culture aimed at improving the lived experience of apprentices. Applications were invited from across the Corps and were screened and marked by Corps Appointments, Heads of Trade, Corps SM and a member of staff of the civilian Service Provider for apprenticeships to the Royal Signals, The Colleges’ Partnership (TCP)
The Royal Signals currently has some 1500 apprentices enrolled across 5 different apprenticeships, from a Level 2 to a Level 4. The majority of R Signals apprentices (approx. 900) are on the Level 4 Network Engineer standard. Apprenticeships are nationally recognised and provide industry standard skills and qualifications which soldiers can apply in their daily roles. It goes without saying that these same skills and qualifications also have the potential to make service leavers more attractive to future civilian employers
Prize giving was by Master of Signals, Gen Dame Sharon Nesmith, DCB, ADC(Gen), who presented winning nominees with prizes that had kindly been sponsored by partners from across industry.
The Master said “It has been an absolute pleasure to once again see the fantastic accomplishments of all our Royal Signals apprentices. A huge congratulations to all the prize winners – the dedication you have all shown to your apprenticeship programmes sets a profound example to all of us across the Corps, and Defence – well done!"
The winner of the Communications Infrastructure Engineer Apprentice of the Year Award (aligned to the Level 3 Network Cable Installer apprenticeship) was Sig H Kirk of 241 Sig Sqn (10 Sig Regt). His application highlighted a high priority project at MOD Ashchurch, requiring strict adherence to timelines and which involved rectifying previous work that had not met standards and installing new infrastructure. Sig Kirk referenced how experience gained from earlier assignments resulted in his thriving in this environment and ensured that the project was delivered to the high standards expected by the Squadron. The prize for this award was sponsored by Viasat, a global communications company focused on connecting people, businesses, governments, and communities through satellite and other technologies. Present at the awards ceremony from the company was Barney Gray, Sales and Business Development Director, who said “It was a privilege, representing Viasat International Government, to present the award for Communications Infrastructure Engineer Apprentice of the Year to Signaller H Kirk. It is fantastic to see the Royal Corps of Signals' continued investment in technical apprenticeships, particularly as I began my own career through The Royal School of Signals Modern Apprenticeship scheme. My sincere congratulations to all the winners and apprentices commencing their professional journey today.”
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14 Sig Regt (EW) did especially well, securing 4 of the 9 awards! Sgt L Cox secured the Unit Apprenticeships Award (sponsored by the Royal Signals Institution) and Cpl N Mitchem won the Supply Chain Operator category (aligned to the Level 2 Supply Chain Warehouse Operative apprenticeship), (sponsored by TCP), and Cpl S Beardsley won the Electronic Warfare & Signals Intelligence category, aligned to the Level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship (sponsored by PPM Systems). No surprise therefore that 14 Sig Regt also secured the Apprenticeship Champion Unit Award, sponsored by General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Leading the ‘charge’ for those in the Power Engineer category (sponsored by PPM Power) was Sig C Sinclair who is enrolled on the Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering apprenticeship. His efforts on Ex CERBERUS were noted, highlighting his ability to problem solve and show the resourcefulness to rectify a fuel leak in the primary system, thereby avoiding a serious fuel related issue, something which is usually the technical acumen of someone far more experienced.
The winner of the Network Engineer Category was Sig C Stone of 1 Sig Regt. Sig Stone’s application highlighted important responsibilities including being the Brigade Commander’s Signaller which essentially made him the Commander’s essential link to the wider Brigade, requiring continuous engineering of connectivity to ensure effective communications. This dedication and expert technical ability earned Sig Stone a letter of appreciation, a clear and important marker related to his outputs.
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Two Royal Signals trades, Network Engineer and Information Services Engineer, are aligned to the Level 4 Network Engineer apprenticeship. This is a Foundation Degree level qualification, requiring commitment, dedication and technical excellence to complete.
The winner of the Information Services Engineer Category was Sig I Queenan of 216 (Para) Sig Sqn. His application cited examples of technical excellence and also included the following quote from Lt(N) / Lt(V) Beattie of the Royal Canadian Navy “ I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for sending Sig I Queenan to Quebec City, Canada in support of the Defensive Cyber Marvel 4 exercise. As Red Team Lead for the Canadian delegation, I am truly grateful for Isaac’s contribution to our Red team as a “Red Team Operations Analyst.” Over the course of the exercise, Isaac comported himself admirably, providing detailed red team attack preparation reports, ensuring that our Red Team operators were set up for success and their effects were delivered in a timely, efficient manner. I was impressed with the maturity and poise he demonstrated on the exercise. He rapidly integrated himself into the group, making valuable contributions immediately. I don’t say this lightly, but without Isaac’s support, we’d have had a much more uphill battle to fight. He’s got a lot to offer’’ (slightly condensed version of the quote).
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The overall Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by BAE Systems, was presented to an apprentice voted on by all stakeholders mentioned at the beginning. This apprentice not only showed an excellent grasp of their trade, but also someone whose team ethos and ability to function as an individual are at a very high standard. This award was presented to Sig Queenan who scored a distinction in his apprenticeship End Point Assessment (some 8 months sooner than expected), won the Level 4 Award at the recent Army Apprenticeship Awards, is now supporting fellow apprentices within his unit and has also supported engagement activities in support of Corps HQ aimed at improving awareness of Army/Royal Signals apprenticeships to external audiences.
Maj B Salero, OC 216 (Para Sig Sqn) said “Against a truly frenetic FOE, one that rarely, if at all, allows any period of pause or consolidation, Sig Queenan’s apprenticeship performance is already magnified, let alone completion six months early. Despite his rank, he has stepped up to support other apprentices around him, while delivering his role, and while consistently volunteering for all activity across the Squadron. Sig Queenan is setting the standard and is wholly deserving of this award.”
An amazing effort all round and a well done and thank you not only to those who won their respective categories, but to all nominees for their efforts in crafting applications as well as their units for their ongoing support to the Royal Signals Apprenticeship Programme. The Corps HQ would also like to thank all of our sponsors whose relationship we value immensely.
