West Thames College is proud to be named a finalist in three categories at the West London Business Awards 2026: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Business of the Year, Apprentice of the Year (30+) and Apprentice of the Year (16–29). These nominations recognise the College’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and the exceptional achievements of two outstanding apprentices.
West Thames College’s nomination for EDI Business of the Year reflects the deep-rooted values that shape every aspect of college life. Guided by a clear leadership vision, the College places inclusivity at the heart of decision-making, culture and performance. Its core values — Integrity, Excellence, Equality and Respect — influence everything from recruitment to curriculum design, strengthened further by dedicated frameworks such as its EDI Strategy and Access and Participation Plan. External accreditations, including the Good Work Standard (Excellence level), Disability Confident Employer and Living Wage Accreditation, further demonstrate the College’s commitment to creating an empowering and supportive environment for all.
This commitment has led to measurable impact. Continuous monitoring of recruitment, retention and achievement ensures accountability, while the College’s Community Advisory Group plays a key role in shaping inclusive practice. The College’s EDI approach was praised in its December 2024 Ofsted inspection, which awarded West Thames College an Outstanding rating overall. Inspectors highlighted the “highly inclusive, calm and welcoming environments” and noted that learners “feel safe, secure and fully included”.
In the Apprentice of the Year (30+) category, finalist Jaeden Cadogan, representing Knowledge Transfer Network Limited, has been recognised for his exceptional dedication, technical growth and significant contribution to his organisation. Throughout his Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship, Jaeden has consistently exceeded expectations — completing work ahead of schedule, undertaking additional self-directed learning and supporting colleagues through training and knowledge sharing. His innovative data solutions, including dashboards and automated validation systems, have saved time, improved accuracy and strengthened business processes.
Jaeden’s adaptability, professionalism and collaborative spirit have earned him praise from colleagues, clients and managers alike. His transition into data analytics from a non-technical background demonstrates resilience, determination and a genuine passion for learning. His contributions have had lasting impact across the organisation, making him a deserving finalist.
Finalist Robin Heagney, representing Shared Access in the Apprentice of the Year (16–29) category, has been celebrated for his outstanding initiative, technical ability and positive influence within his team. Robin applies his college learning directly in the workplace — from independently repairing network equipment to designing and building a portable 5G server unit used to support the Give Vision project, enabling visually impaired people to experience live events through innovative headset technology.
Robin has delivered multiple 5G deployments independently and worked directly with visually impaired users, demonstrating maturity, empathy and strong problem-solving skills. Highly respected by his peers, he is often the first to offer support and sets a strong example through his punctuality, dedication and willingness to learn. His technical achievements and leadership qualities mark him as an exceptional young professional.
These nominations recognise the College’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, its role as a proud Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) advocate, and the exceptional achievements of two outstanding apprentices. As an LSIP advocate, the College works closely with employers and local partners to ensure that training and curriculum delivery align with evolving regional workforce needs — helping to equip students with the skills that drive economic growth and employment across West London.
West Thames College looks forward to attending the West London Business Awards ceremony at Twickenham Stadium on Friday 27 February 2026, where the winners will be announced.
