Joe wins Merchant Adventurers' Award after becoming company's first-ever Engineering apprentice
An Escrick-based business’ decision to take on their first-ever apprentice has been justified and rewarded after he won a prestigious prize.
Joe Jackson was presented with the 2026 York College Merchant Adventurers’ Apprenticeship Award, having impressed in the workplace for C-Kore Systems and during his Level 3 Engineering Fitter course.
In fact, Joe has done so well that the engineering and manufacturing company, who design tools for the offshore oil, gas and energy industries, have now handed him a role mentoring a new group of apprentices that his success inspired them to employ.
The award, along with a sum of £500, was presented to Joe in the majestic, medieval setting of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in Fossgate, where he was joined by C-Kore Operations Director Greg Smith, Office Manager Elaine Hukins and Production Manager James Selway (see main image).
Joe was one of eight apprentices shortlisted for the award, who were all invited to the ceremony, which was followed by Afternoon Tea in the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.
The others were Natalie Augustyniak (Level 3 Business Administrator apprentice with RG Law), Joel Grayson (Level 2 Autocare Technician apprentice with Kirkby Mills Garage Services), Adam Kenny (Level 3 Business Administrator apprentice with RG Law), Marcie Pickering (Level 3 Business Administrator apprentice with Compass), Will Turnbull (Level 3 Business Administrator apprentice with RG Law), Sienna Wellings (Level 3 Business Administrator apprentice with RG Law) and Oliver Zawistowski (Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Fitter apprentice with TE Solutions).
Commenting on why he nominated Joe for the award, Mr Selway said: “Joe has come from a background of no prior experience to become a trusted and well-rounded technician. He has refined his knowledge and skills in terms of mechanical assembly processes and techniques, electrical testing and working on new prototype products.
“His quality of work has met our required high standards, ensuring that our tools arrive with the customer in excellent condition and offer high reliability following stringent testing. He also looks to improve processes and C-Kore has been so impressed with the progress he has made throughout his apprenticeship that we have taken on further apprentices this summer with Joe now acting as a mentor.”
Joe’s work has also contributed towards a UK Government King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for the company and, during his apprenticeship, he has carried out baselining processes in Norway, as well as electrical testing for a new customer in Paris
He is currently preparing for his EPA (End-Point Assessment) and commented on how he had acquired a wide range of engineering skills – both in College and with C-Kore Systems – believing that the apprenticeship has provided him with a great balance between theoretical and practical learning.
On why he chose to pursue an apprenticeship and his hopes for the future, Joe said: “When I finished my GCSEs I started a course in Public Services at College but, after the first year, I realised that pure studying wasn’t for me, so I left and went to work in retail.
“But, after a couple of years, I decided that I needed the challenge of an apprenticeship where I could learn in a practical way and work at the same time and, following several interviews, I became C-Kore’s first apprentice. My career plan, now, is to consistently expand my knowledge of the company’s products and I will take every opportunity to expand on my qualifications and experience, including taking the next step to complete a Level 4 HNC in Engineering, which C-Kore are keen to support me in.”
The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York is an ancient guild of England that has supported apprentices, their training, their standards and their wellbeing for almost 670 years, having been established by Royal Licence back in 1357.
It became the foremost trading and business adventuring company in medieval England and took responsibility, along with other guilds, to look after the welfare and wellbeing of businesses and people in trade.
Collectively, the guilds oversaw trading standards and quality assurance, whilst operating as the licencing and certification authority of time-served apprentices to the multitude of trades and professions in York and Yorkshire.
As national governance of training, education and trading standards has developed, the link between the Merchant Adventurers, employers and their apprentices has almost dissolved.
But The Merchant Adventurers are seeking to reinvigorate this ancient connection through the sponsorship of prizes of excellence for the apprentice community, including this annual York College award.
The certificate presentations were made by Professor Sarah Brown, The Governor of The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York.
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