Leeds College of Building apprentice wins national education award

A Leeds College of Building (LCB) apprentice has scooped one of the country’s top education prizes at this year’s National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards.

Elyssa Marshall, a Level 2 property maintenance operative apprentice at Yorkshire Housing Association, won the ‘Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award’, beating finalists from across the nation.

Elyssa progressed to the national awards after winning the Yorkshire & Humber heat held at York in October. Nationally, the awards received over 1,100 entries from sectors including public sector, construction, health, IT, science and digital.

Elyssa said her multi-skilled apprenticeship has offered invaluable skills and insights which she hopes to build on in the future. As part of her role, she has been learning skills across various trades, building her confidence while delivering exceptional service to customers.

In her free time, Elyssa supports male/non-binary sexual-violence survivors. She said she “loves feeling connected to her community, maintaining homes and supporting tenant welfare” and that she aspires to “bring people the community, safety, and care they deserve in her role.”

Hosted by journalist and presenter Ben Shepherd and attended by Education Secretary, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, the National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards took place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

The annual Department for Education awards celebrated its 22nd anniversary in 2025. It showcased the very best from across the skills sector, recognising and rewarding exceptional apprentices and T Level students, skills champions, and apprenticeship and T Level employers.

Chris Tunningley, LCB assistant principal – Adults, HE & Apprenticeships, said: “We’re thrilled at Elyssa’s success. She is a phenomenal female role model and a hard worker. She always throws herself into everything she does, learning the diverse skills needed to repair the fabric of any building.

“To win at the Yorkshire & Humber awards was amazing, but to then be crowned at the national finals is just incredible. A huge congratulations also goes to fellow LCB national finalist, Lois Riley, our apprentice at Equans. To be a finalist in this prestigious awards ceremony is a brilliant achievement, and she should be very proud too.”

Kiran Olak, Emerging Talent Lead at Yorkshire Housing Association, added: “It’s brilliant to see Elyssa recognised in this way. She’s a fantastic role model for other apprentices, showing how hard work and a positive attitude can open doors. We’re really proud of her.”

Elyssa’s award comes at the end of a very successful year. As well as winning her category at the regional Apprenticeship & Skills Awards in October, she was selected as a panellist for a special event at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May. Elyssa joined LCB’s CEO & Principal Nikki Davis and other experts from across the industry to share thoughts about attracting and retaining talent in the construction sector.