Finlay Bindoff is the first apprentice in Reckitt’s controls department
HETA chair of trustees, Ian Palmer, presents the Special Recognition Award to Finlay Bindoff of Reckitt.(Image: HETA)
A young Hull apprentice is among a top group of learners and employers celebrated at a recent awards bash. Engineering training firm HETA welcomed trainees and companies to its 2026 Awards ceremony which celebrated seven special learners and the vital support network behind them.
Chief executive Iain Elliott said it was “genuinely wonderful to see so many people celebrating together,” underlining the importance of recognising hard work, commitment and the determination of the young adults throughout their journey with HETA.
“Events like this are incredibly important,” he said, with a 60th anniversary of delivery looming large in 2027. “Our learners arrive with little knowledge of their chosen trade, and through commitment, effort and support thEy develop into skilled, capable professionals, vital components of our regional and national industrial base.”
Finlay Bindoff, 22, who is just completing his apprenticeship with Hull-founded Reckitt won the Special Recognition Award. Judges heard how he was the first apprentice in the global giant’s controls department.
The former Kelvin Hall and Wyke College student said: “It was great recognition of hard work. I have been very self motivated to work, and motivated to go as far as I can with my education.”
Meanwhile Bridlington-based digital print firm AB Graphic International secured an apprentice win and the Inspire Award. That followed consistent work supporting school campaigns and empowering female-focused engineering initiatives.
Karen Robinson, head of HR at A B Graphic International, said: “Supporting HETA is important to us because it helps develop the next generation of talent. We invest in apprenticeships as a practical and proven way to build skills and create clear pathways into engineering. Seeing one of our apprentices named Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year is a great result, and underlines the impact of that investment.
“Winning the Inspire Award is just as meaningful, recognising our work to encourage more women into engineering and STEM careers, and to help broaden access to the sector. We remain focused on creating opportunities and supporting the next generation from an early stage.”
And airport baggage handling system specialist Daifuku Logan was recognised with the Employer Contribution accolade. Simon Marshall, HR manager at the Hull firm, said: “Daifuku Airport UK Ltd is delighted to have received HETA’s Employer Contribution Award 2026, which is especially welcome as we celebrate our 70th anniversary this year.
“Our commitment to apprenticeships has remained undiminished, and we have seen many of those who joined us, develop their careers in numerous ways, some progressing into management roles, others joining other parts of the Daifuku Group or quite simply being the best at what they do. This award represents all their achievements however great or small. We are exceptionally proud to have been the facilitator that has allowed them to do it.”
The full list of 2026 winners includes
- Fabrication and Welding Apprentice, sponsored by St Gobain Glass: Toby Overy, CCL Fleet Management, Grimsby
- Electrical Apprentice: Caitlin Edmondson, Guardian Industries, Goole
- Manufacturing Apprentice: Joshua Davey, AB Graphic International, Bridlington
- Technical Services Apprentice, sponsored by AB Graphic International: Alex Charlesworth, LSTC, Driffield
- Maintenance Apprentice, sponsored by NOCN: Ben Goodwin, ABP Immingham Container Terminal
- Special Recognition Award: Finlay Bindoff, Reckitt, Hull
- Employer Mentor of the Year, sponsored by Apprentice Employment Agency: James Daniels, ABP, Immingham
- Employer Contribution: Daifuku Logan, Ltd, Hull
- Inspire Award, sponsored by StartingPoint: AB Graphic International, Bridlington
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.