Ayrshire College is delighted to once again support students taking part in the Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge. The challenge is delivered annually by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Ayrshire and sponsored by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).
Since September, students Amber McLaughlin, Devonn Kippen, Emma Bell, Leigh Nohar, Louie McVie and Luci Dykes have been working collaboratively on a project of their choice designed to benefit the local community. As a team, they chose to raise funds for Ayrshire Hospice, organising a series of successful fundraising activities including sponsored walks, a sponsored silence and a wellbeing day.
Despite having no prior experience of planning events, the students stepped well out with their comfort zone to organise not just one, but multiple large-scale fundraising activities for charity. Each event was planned, delivered and led by the students themselves, raising an impressive total of £1,211.30.
On 3rd March 2026, to coincide with Scottish Apprenticeship Week, 6 teams comprising around 80 participants came together at Ayr United for the challenge’s grand finale. Teams presented their projects to a panel of judges: Alistair Rodgers, Director of Enterprise Development at Ayrshire College; Claire Tooze, Area Manager at Skills Development Scotland; and Claire Baird, Chief Executive Officer of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.
Teams competed for a range of awards recognising creativity, teamwork and community impact, including:
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Most Innovative Project
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Best Individual Presentation
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Best Team Presentation
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Best Overall Project
Although the students didn’t take home a win this year, we’re incredibly proud of their achievements, a true testament to their hard work, perseverance and dedication over the past seven months.
Natalie Blakely, VQ Assessor Hairdressing and Barbering, said:
I was truly impressed by the team’s dedication, teamwork and commitment to supporting Ayrshire Hospice. Raising over £1,200 through a series of student-led events is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to their hard work and perseverance throughout the challenge.
We were delighted to work in partnership with Ayrshire College and their Level 3 Hairdressing students to offer patients and their carers the chance for a pamper session in our brand new Gargowan Beauty Space, and the students were the first group to utilise the space.
Working with our patients was an excellent learning opportunity, and the students received some really good feedback which will hopefully stand them in good stead going forward. It was also hugely beneficial for them to see first-hand the care we deliver at the Ayrshire Hospice and the positive impact they had on our patients.