An apprentice working at Partou’s Nursery Support Centre in Manchester is in the running for a high-profile national award. Julia Szwanka has been shortlisted for Nursery Apprentice of the Year at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2026.
According to the organisers, the award will go to “an exceptional individual that has chosen to take an apprenticeship route and is showing brilliant potential. The judges will be looking for someone who has demonstrated commitment to their course and is actively using the skills they are learning to improve their career development.”
Julia joined leading day nursery provider Partou in July 2025 as a Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprentice, undertaking a 17-month Level 4 apprenticeship with Manchester Metropolitan University. She has completed all taught modules, consistently receives positive feedback, and is preparing for her End Point Assessment in February 2027.
Before coming to Partou, with a genuine passion for wildlife and conservation, Julia gained a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology from the University of Manchester. She has also completed her Carbon Literacy Certification and holds a Level 1 Award in Understanding Carbon Awareness and Energy Management.
Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said:
“We are thrilled that Julia has been shortlisted for the Nursery Apprentice of the Year Award.
“Julia joined Partou with a love of the natural world. Her apprenticeship is helping to turn that passion into positive change, including leading on a project to trial wormeries through the Eco Champions network with the ambition of making them available across all of Partou’s nurseries across the UK.
“Her work helps make sustainability tangible for young children – noticing insects, watching things grow, caring for living things, exploring where waste goes and understanding that something old can have another use.
“Julia also plays a leading role in Partou’s charity engagement – coming up with ideas, communicating them, encouraging nurseries to participate and keeping track of fundraising. More than 30 of our nurseries have taken part in charitable fundraising and together raised over £11,000.
“We are really proud of her growing list of achievements and the difference she is making.”
The NMT National Nursery Awards will be presented at an evening ceremony at Park Plaza London on 7 November 2026.
