GGR Group is proud to celebrate the success of Simone Loonam, who has been named Apprentice of the Year at the Trafford and Stockport College Group Student Awards.

The awards night took place at the National Football Museum on 25 June 2026, bringing together students, apprentices, employers and staff from across all five Trafford and Stockport College Group campuses. The event recognised outstanding achievement, commitment and progress across a wide range of subjects and apprenticeship pathways.

For Simone, the award marks another major milestone in an apprenticeship journey built on hard work, technical development and a clear passion for engineering.

Recognising Talent, Commitment and Progress

Simone is an Engineering Apprentice in GGR Group’s robotics department, where she works with specialist equipment used across glazing, lifting, construction and industrial environments.

Her role includes servicing and testing glazing robots, supporting product testing, working with CAD drawings, assisting with repairs and gaining hands-on experience with specialist lifting technology. It is a varied and technical area of the business, requiring attention to detail, problem-solving skills and a strong understanding of how equipment performs in real working conditions.

Winning Apprentice of the Year is a recognition of Simone’s commitment to developing those skills and applying them in a busy engineering environment.

Building a Career in Engineering

Simone’s interest in engineering and robotics began at a young age. After initially starting college-based engineering study, she chose the apprenticeship route to combine formal learning with practical workplace experience.

That decision has allowed her to build her knowledge in the classroom while applying it directly within the workplace. At GGR Group, Simone has been able to work alongside experienced engineers and technicians, gaining valuable insight into the equipment, systems and processes that support customers across construction, glazing, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

Her apprenticeship has given her the opportunity to develop real technical confidence while contributing to work that has a direct impact on equipment reliability, site performance and customer support.

Developing Skills in Robotics and Innovation

As part of GGR Group’s robotics department, Simone has continued to develop her technical skills across glazing robot servicing, testing, CAD design and product support.

Glazing robots play an important role in helping customers handle and install glass safely, efficiently and accurately, particularly on projects where precision and control are essential. Supporting this type of equipment requires practical engineering knowledge, a careful approach and the ability to understand how specialist machines perform on site.

Simone has also gained experience in prototyping and 3D printing, helping her become more hands-on with project work and product development. This has allowed her to apply her engineering knowledge in a practical way while continuing to build confidence across different areas of the business.

A Strong Year of Recognition

Simone’s Apprentice of the Year win is the latest achievement in what has been an outstanding period of recognition.

In July 2025, she was highly commended for Plant Mechanic of the Year Level 2 at the CPA Stars of the Future Awards, recognising her early progress and potential within the engineering and plant sector.

Earlier in 2026, Simone was also named STEM Learner of the Year at the Partnerships in Excellence Apprenticeship & Skills Awards from Trafford & Stockport College Group. This award recognised her commitment, resilience and professionalism throughout her engineering apprenticeship, as well as the progress she has made within GGR Group’s robotics department.

Together, these achievements highlight Simone’s continued development as a young engineer and the valuable contribution she is making to the business. From glazing robot servicing and product testing to CAD design and hands-on engineering work, Simone has shown a strong willingness to learn, take on responsibility and build the technical skills needed for a long-term career in the lifting industry.

Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers

Simone’s success reflects the importance of apprenticeships in bringing new talent into specialist engineering roles.

At GGR Group, apprentices gain practical, real-world experience from day one, working alongside experienced team members and contributing to live projects across the business. This approach helps develop confident, capable engineers who understand the demands of specialist lifting equipment and the industries it supports.

For GGR Group, investing in apprenticeships is an investment in the future skills needed across construction, glazing, plant hire, infrastructure and specialist lifting.

A Proud Moment for GGR Group

Simone’s Apprentice of the Year award is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for everyone at GGR Group.

Her progress, professionalism and determination show what can be achieved when technical training is combined with hands-on experience and the right support in the workplace.

Congratulations to Simone on this well-deserved recognition at the Trafford and Stockport College Group Student Awards. GGR Group looks forward to supporting her continued development as she progresses in her engineering career.