A construction apprentice from Lincoln has been named the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) 2025/26 Apprentice of the Year.
Mia Owen, 20, who works for West Lindsey Landscapes Ltd and completed her Level 3 construction support technician apprenticeship in September 2025, was selected as the winner from a cohort of nine apprentices who entered this year’s competition.
Following an initial review of submissions, the field was narrowed to three finalists. Joining Owen were Eugene Donkin, 23, from Peterborough, and Martha Penney, 31, from Cheshire.
Each finalist delivered a 30-minute presentation to a panel of CIOB judges in March exploring the theme of sustainability in the built environment. It included innovation, challenges and opportunities and the role sustainability plays in their day-to-day roles.
The judges, including Rosalind Thorpe, CIOB’s director of education and standards, and Adrian Montague, director of Academy, said Owen’s presentation not only included strong ideas but also ways to practically implement them to bring about positive change. They were particularly impressed with her clear passion for sustainability.
Reflecting on her win, Owen said: “Completing my apprenticeship has been an extremely rewarding experience, not only personally but also in opening new opportunities within my career. The hands-on training and support from both experienced professionals and the team in my workplace has been invaluable. Their guidance has played a significant role in my development, and I am incredibly grateful.
“The CIOB Apprentice of the year award acts not just as a representation for my achievement but as a testament for my hard work and dedication. It represents the progress I have made since first entering the industry and motivates me to continue developing my skills further. I would hope to inspire future apprentices with my story, to show that the industry is open to anyone with determination to succeed.”
Amidst ongoing high-profile debates around student loans and the cost of university education, a recent CIOB survey of 2,000 parents of 16-24-year-olds found that 42% would prefer their child to “earn while they learn” through an apprenticeship rather than attend university.
Steve Conopo, CIOB’s head of apprenticeships, who also judged the event, said: “Mia is a fantastic example of the opportunities apprenticeships can offer. They allow people to gain valuable qualifications while building practical experience, developing their careers and earning at the same time.
“The feedback we get from our apprentices and their employers is that upon completing their apprenticeships they not only have formal qualifications but are ‘work ready’ with plenty of practical experience whether that is for onsite working or office-based role.”
Since launching its apprenticeship programme in 2022, more than 3,500 apprentices have registered with CIOB to facilitate their end point assessment.
