Amspec's Bench Hand joiner shortlisted finalist in the Preston College Exceptional Apprentice & Employer Awards 2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of Ben Brown, Bench Hand Joiner in our workshop, who was recognised at the Preston College Exceptional Apprentice & Employer Awards 2026.

The awards ceremony took place at Preston College on 26th March 2026, with Ben shortlisted as a finalist in the Construction category for Craft Carpenter & Joiner (Bench).

Ben attended the ceremony alongside his mum, his Lecturer, his mentor Marc Cunliffe and members of the Amspec team, Lisa & Michelle. Ben received a Highly Commended certificate from the judging panel—an outstanding achievement that reflects his dedication, development and consistently high standard of work.

Ben was nominated for the award by Steve Catterall, Carpentry and Joinery Lecturer at Preston College who said:

“ Through consistent effort, determination and a genuine commitment to his craft, Ben has progressed into one of the strongest bench apprentices I have taught.

“He demonstrates a real thirst for knowledge and consistently seeks to deepen his understanding of architectural joinery. Ben holds himself to exceptionally high standards and is rarely satisfied with work that simply meets the brief. He takes pride in accuracy, finish and traditional bench skills, often refining his work until it reaches a level that exceeds expectations for a Level 3 learner.

“His journey from study programme learner to high-performing apprentice makes Ben a credit to Preston College. He embodies the qualities of an exceptional apprentice and fully deserves recognition for both his personal achievement and the positive influence he has on others.”

To be nominated, shortlisted as a finalist and subsequently recognised as Highly Commended by the judging panel is a fantastic achievement.

Everyone at Amspec is immensely proud of Ben and everything he has accomplished so far. It has been a privilege to see his skills and confidence develop during the early stages of his career. He is a valued member of our workshop team, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.

Congratulations, Ben!