15/05/2025
Sika was nominated by Preston College as a finalist at the Preston College Exceptional Apprentice and Employer Awards 2025 which took place on Monday 24th March 2025.
The event was in recognition of those employers who have gone above and beyond to support apprenticeships delivered by Preston College.
The nomination was in the field of Engineering with six companies nominated with some notable companies such as Baxi, Dennis Eagle and Leyland Trucks.
We are delighted to say that we won the Preston College Choice Award for Exceptional Employer for 2025 in the field of Engineering.
Kirstie Lawlor, Business Development Leader at Preston College commented:
“I am pleased to nominate Lisa, Operations Manager at Sika, for the Exceptional Employer Award in recognition of her outstanding efforts in the recruitment, development, and mentorship of apprentices in engineering. Lisa’s initiative and commitment to shaping the future of emerging engineers at Sika stand as a model for excellence in workforce development.
Lisa approached Preston College with the intention of recruiting two engineering apprentices. What followed was a meticulous and thoughtful process designed to ensure that these apprentices would receive the support, mentorship, and training necessary to thrive. From the very beginning, Lisa and her team dedicated time and energy to ensuring that Sika’s infrastructure was equipped to offer an environment conducive to growth. They carefully designed a roadmap outlining the apprentices’ duties, development goals, and potential career progression within the company.
One of the key aspects of Lisa's approach was the collaboration with Preston College to recruit, shortlist, and interview candidates. This partnership ensured that the apprentices selected were not only qualified but also challenged in ways that would stretch their abilities and enhance their employability skills. Lisa and her team ensured that every decision was made with the apprentices' long-term development at the core.
Lisa’s leadership has created a culture that prioritises continuous learning and development, offering valuable opportunities to young engineers who will be the future of the industry.
She is a shining example of an employer who goes above and beyond to provide young talent with the necessary tools, guidance, and support to succeed.This approach exemplifies Sika’s dedication to fostering growth, creating opportunities, and investing in the future of the engineering sector. I believe Lisa’s efforts are truly deserving of the Exceptional Employer Award."
Lisa Baines, Operations Manager commented:
“This award is a team effort from the management team who delivered the plan to the team that supported the activity day to those team members who continuously support Andrew in the workplace.I could not be prouder of the achievement and reinforces the desire of the site to provide learning opportunities for those looking for a blended learning environment.
The team at Preston are delighted to receive this award and we look forward to competing next year with Andrew Hearne for the coveted Award for Apprentice of the Year 2026."