Derby College student secures second prestigious award
Derby College Group student Joe Johnson has been presented with the prestigious ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at this year’s Building Communities Awards. This is the second time Joe has received this accolade, after previously winning ‘Intermediate/Advanced Apprentice of the Year’ in the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards in October last year.
The Building Communities Awards is hosted by Efficiency East Midlands, to recognise and celebrate professionalism, excellence and innovation within the housing and construction community. Joe was presented with his award at a ceremony held in Leicester earlier this month.
Joe was nominated for the award by Sophie Bancroft, Employee Development and Corporate Support Manager at Derby Homes. Joe joined Derby Homes as an Apprentice Electrician in 2018 and began studying for his Level 3 Electrical Installations Apprenticeship with Derby College, where he learnt how to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. He has now successfully completed his qualification, achieving an incredible 100% pass rate in all modules in his end point assessment!
Commenting on his success Joe said “After winning the first award last year, I didn’t think that I would win again, even more so at a bigger event. To win two awards for Apprentice of the Year is an amazing achievement and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Peter Armes, Electrical Assessor at Derby College said “Joe is an exemplary student. He’s extremely dedicated and hardworking, and always puts 100% effort into his training at college. He is an intelligent young man and his consistently high pass rate is outstanding. What he has achieved is fantastic and very rare. All the team at Derby College are very proud of him – well done Joe!”
Sophie Bancroft, Employee Development and Corporate Support Manager at Derby Homes said “I am immensely proud of Joe, he takes it all in his stride. I think he has got used to me nominating him now and I really hope this inspires future apprentices at Derby Homes and what they can achieve. We are over the moon for Joe and this is a great success story for Derby Homes too.”
In September 2022, Joe secured a permanent electrician role at Derby Homes. Since starting his new role he now has an apprentice electrician working with him on a day-to-day basis. He’s also been nominated for the high-profile Housing Heroes Awards and will find out later this year if he’s been shortlisted.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Picture of man released as part of investigation into burglary in Swanwick Police have released a picture of man we would like to speak with in relation to a burglary in Swanwick. read more | |
| Opticians celebrates two decades in Belper GLASSES will be raised by the team at a Belper opticians to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the town with a special event. read more | |
| Derbyshire Makes Returns April - May 2026 With Heritage And Future Making Residents will be encouraged to get creative this spring with the return of Derbyshire County Council's fla read more | |
| Shoplifter tracked down and caught by officers after targeting shop in Alfreton Officers tracked down and arrested a thief who stole a number of items from a shop in Alfreton. read more | |
| Up to £250 funding available to start a Amber Valley Neighbourhood Watch Residents across Amber Valley are being encouraged to help make their streets and communities safer, m read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |













