Alfie Wells, a trainee-plant mechanic at the KKB Group won Apprentice of the Year at the inaugural Kent Apprenticeship Awards in June. Seventeen-year old Alfie collected his trophy from Nicola Everett, Head of multimedia news at local radio station, KMFM, at a special awards ceremony held at Gillingham FC’s Priestfield Stadium.
The organisers explained why the independent judging panel selected Alfie in the Early Career category:
“At just 17 years old, Alfie has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and maturity throughout his apprenticeship journey. Balancing long days, travel and block release training, he has embraced every opportunity available to him while developing strong practical skills and becoming a valued member of the team. His employer describes him as an incredible asset whose attitude and willingness to learn have made a lasting impression.”
Alfie who lives in Herne Bay, left school at 16 last summer and joined KKB’s Apprenticeship Scheme in October 2025 following a work experience stint at KKB’s plant workshop in Hoo. The two-year apprenticeship consists of on-the-job training and classroom study which will be carried out at CITB Construction College East in Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk fully funded by KKB. Alfie was assigned Block Release where he will remain on site during his Term, which can range from 4-6 weeks. The apprenticeship is designed to deliver a Plant Mechanics Level 2 qualification for Alfie and a full-time job with KKB at their depot repairing and maintaining heavy plant such as excavators, dump trucks and loading shovels.
“Alfie’s enthusiasm, passion and hard work were key to us nominating him and we are delighted that this was formally recognised with his award” said KKB’s Managing Director, Del Bhanot, “His success is a testament to his character and also an endorsement of our company’s long-term continued strategy of nurturing local skills and talent. We will continue to recruit and training locally to provide skilled human resources to support our work at the Lower Thames Crossing and other projects throughout Kent and beyond.”
KKB Group, which has been based in Medway since its establishment in 2010, has an excellent track record of providing local apprenticeships. In the last 5 years, the enabling works contractor has provided structured workplace training for trainees all of whom are now employed full-time. Building on the award the company is working on implementing an expanded graduate and apprenticeship programme for 2027 to help resource KKB’s burgeoning pipeline of enabling projects for civil engineering and infrastructure schemes throughout the UK.
Founded through a pioneering collaboration between East Kent College Group, MidKent College and North Kent College, the Kent Apprenticeship Awards attracted an impressive 125 nominations across a wide range of sectors including engineering, construction, healthcare, digital media and horticulture.
