City of Portsmouth College celebrates its brilliant vocational and technical students

Winners from the Vocational and Technical Awards at North Harbour Campus

Outstanding commitment, dedication and team spirit were dominant themes running through the City of Portsmouth College’s 2026 Vocational and Technical Awards – held at two campuses for the first time.

With more than 20 awards handed out at both North Harbour and Highbury campuses by City of Portsmouth College’s Principal and CEO Katy Quinn and Deputy Principal & CEO for Curriculum & Quality, Matt Phelps, there was much to celebrate as family and friends of our brilliant winners cheered them.

At North Harbour, Jonathan Compton was the big winner of the night, taking home the overall Student of the Year prize alongside Exceptional Performance in Electrical. The Level 3 student was rewarded for his resilience and determination, having suffered personal challenges through Level 2 affecting his attendance. But he re-engaged with his studies with renewed enthusiasm and excellence – and produced such good work for the test and inspect process at level 3 it will now be used in future training.

Level 1 Construction Skills students Kyi Jones was another standout winner, taking home the Outstanding Achievement in Multi-Trades prize after his nominee said he had produced “the best brickwork that his nominee has witnessed since teaching on this course over the past six years.” Unsuprisingly, Kyi is moving onto a Bricklaying diploma next year!

Meanwhile at Highbury Campus, Level 1 Animal Care student Nicholas Labrow was named Student of the Year, not only for his hard work in the classroom but his impact on the College as a whole. As a student, Nick was praised for his consistent demonstration strong practical skills and his clear understanding of animal welfare, always completing his work to a high standard. Outside of class, he represents COPC in both football in Boccia, making him a real role model.

Catering students Olie Lewendon and Amelia Stuart, who are studying Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery, who secured work at a Marriott Hotel after completing a work placement there, capped off a brilliant year by winning the Outstanding Achievement in Catering and Exceptional Performance in Catering prizes respectively.

Following both ceremonies, there were celebratory drinks for all, and plenty of photos being taken as family and friends captured memories of a memorable night with their brilliant award winners.

Vocational and Technical Awards 2026

NORTH HARBOUR CAMPUS

Outstanding Achievement in Bricklaying – Motaz Ahmed
Exceptional Performance in Bricklaying – Cally Hitchins
Outstanding Achievement in Carpentry & Joinery – Eleanor White
Exceptional Performance in Carpentry & Joinery – Isaac Moore
Outstanding Achievement in Multi-Trades – Kyi Jones
Exceptional Performance in Multi-Trades – Riley Carnell
Outstanding Achievement in Painting & Decorating – Oliver Patterson
Exceptional Performance in Painting & Decorating – Reece Wells
Outstanding Achievement in Plastering – Sabar Jamal
Exceptional Performance in Plastering – William Doyle
Outstanding Achievement in Electrical – Harvey Slaughter
Exceptional Performance in Electrical – Jonathon Compton
Outstanding Achievement in Plumbing – Adam Mohammed
Exceptional Performance in Plumbing – Mohammad Khadim
Maths Hero – Freddie Ware-Forester
English Hero – Leon Callard
Apprentice Of The Year (Construction) – Thomas Coombs (Plastering), Micheala Gooding (Painting & Decorating), Musa Musov (Bricklaying)
Apprentice Of The Year (Building Services) – Mitchell Tudor (Electrical), Adam Taylor (Plumbing)
Student of the Year – Jonathan Compton.