Jack Showghian named big winner at the Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026.
Jack was 22 years old, taking a holiday abroad from his managerial role at McDonalds, when he felt that he wanted a new challenge.
His role had given him a strong foundation in people skills, customer service and early management, and now Jack wanted to take these to a completely new industry.
By the time he’d landed back in the UK, Jack had made the decision to enter the construction sector through an apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty.
Despite having limited experience of managing large-scale and complex surfacing schemes, Jack quickly demonstrated a strong work ethic, professional attitude and an eagerness to learn, which enabled his managers to trust him with additional responsibilities and projects to develop his skills.
Beyond his day-to-day, Jack, now 25, has showed an outstanding commitment to social value initiatives, projects that aim to give something back to Lincolnshire’s communities. To date he has organised and led 25 volunteering projects, which have included clearing and repainting local play parks and helping to improve biodiversity around a major roundabout on the A631 near Gainsborough in partnership with a local charity.
It’s this hard work and commitment to local communities that has made Jack as a rising talent in the industry and garnered recognition at the Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship and Skills Awards where he took home the ‘Higher and Degree Level Apprentice Award’ and the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cllr Natalie Oliver, Executive Councillor for Children and Culture, said: “The Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship and Skills Awards are all about celebrating the best of learning from across the county, and Jack has really shown all the qualities that employers look for in an apprentice.
“He’s willing to learn and apply his skills, he’s hardworking and committed to high standards, and he actively gives back to our communities in Lincolnshire.
“There have been so many fantastic stories across all of our nominees and winners, and it speaks volumes to the high standards of apprentices, apprenticeship programmes, and opportunities for skills development we have across our county.”
After collecting his award Jack reflected on his apprenticeship journey, and achievements to date saying: “An apprenticeship offered the perfect balance for me really. It’s allowed me to earn, learn and develop professionally in a sector where I wanted to build a long-term future.
“There’s been lots of highs across my apprenticeship but delivering the Principal Road Network schemes last year was a standout. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, with new clients, new contractors and highly detailed designs that needed careful planning and coordination. It was the first time I’d worked on schemes of that complexity, and it massively accelerated my development.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised as Apprentice of the Year. It’s a reflection of the hard work, commitment and resilience I’ve put into my development over the last few years, and it shows the impact I’ve made on projects, teams, and my organisation has been valued, which is always nice to know.
“It’s now that extra bit of motivation for me to keep raising the bar and contributing even more as I continue to progress in my career.”
The Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Awards also recognise some of the county’s top employers of apprentices, and there were several winners across different sectors.
Salon Carina based in Louth were awarded our SME Employer of the Year on the back of a strong history of developing high-quality apprentices, with on future professional winning ‘Apprentice Stylist of the Year’ at The British Hair and Beauty Awards in 2025.
Carina Tuxworth, of Salon Carina, said: “It’s very rewarding to bring on and apprentice and watch them grow through their career and go on to do great things. They are the future of the industry!”
“It means the world to be recognised with this award, we’ve been involved with apprentices for the last 10 years and it feels like we’re doing something right.”
Taking home the Employer of the Year Award for the Public Sector was the Highway’s team in Lincolnshire County Council.
Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, said: “Lincolnshire County Council highways are delighted to win the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (Public Sector).
“Our Highways Development programme gives opportunities for people to work within the Service, whilst gaining qualifications at College and University.
“This commitment is delivered through a three-month rotational Apprenticeship Programme, for up to 6 years, providing apprentices with placements across multiple specialist teams, a dedicated mentor, regular progress reviews, and structured exposure to technical and professional skills.
“The programme is designed to nurture confidence, develop capability, and provide clear visibility of long-term career pathways within Lincolnshire County Council Highways.”
New for this year, the Rising Star Award was awarded to Ava Brown, who showed exceptional promise and progress in her learning journey, and her commitment to inspiring young women into STEM careers.
Ava said: “It was great to be back in my old school doing an assembly for the Year 11s around careers in engineering.
“It can be nerve-wracking going into a male dominated industry, but I jumped in the deep end, and it’s important to push the message out there to young women that it’s not that scary when your there.
“I’d encourage anyone to look into apprenticeships. Do your research and if you decide it’s for you get yourself out there and make the most of it”
Another first time award, the Skills Partnership Award, looked to highlight the success of Skills Bootcamps in upskilling hundreds of people across Lincolnshire with many going on to secure jobs, promotions or start their own business.
The award went to Care Plus Group & North East Lincs Health Care Partnership, who were commended for their coordinated approach to recruitment and retention through skills development, talent pipelines, and clear training and career pathways.
Sharon Stead, Operational Manager for People Development at Care Plus Group, said: “To win this award together really means the world for us. It’s the partnership between us is which has helped us to win, and our programme wouldn’t have been anywhere as successful without the partners and local employers who’ve supported us.
“We’ve also been really proud to see interest from the Department of Health and Social Care in our programme as a blueprint for other areas and the start of it being scaled up across Hull and East Riding.
“It’s more recognition that we’re doing good things, and we’re really pleased that we’re clearly making a difference”
The full list of award winners is as follows:
Apprentice of the Year 2026: Jack Showghian
Apprentice of the Year – Higher and Degree Level: Jack Showghian
Apprentice of the Year – Education: Emmie Lowthian
Apprentice of the Year – Manufacturing and Construction: Harry Hooton
Apprentice of the Year – Service Industries: Emily Hukin
Employer of the Year – Large Business: Apogee
Employer of the Year – SME: Salon Carina
Employer of the Year – Public Sector: Lincolnshire County Council (Highways)
Skills Partnership of the Year: Care Plus Group & North East Lincs Health Care Partnership
Rising Star Award: Ava Robinson
The Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards are delivered in partnership by the Lincolnshire Public Service Compact Group, Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council.
Find out more about Apprenticeships as an employer, individual or parent at Business Lincolnshire.
Class of 2026: A huge congratulations to all our award winners and highly commended nominees