Victoria Hoyland, 42, lives in Winchester, Hampshire, and received the science and dental level three apprentice of the year award.
She currently works as a senior assistant technical officer at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital Foundation Trust, manufacturing chemotherapy treatments for patients.
Victoria said: “I was out of education for 25 years before doing this (apprenticeship). It was daunting at first. Especially with the science side of it. I was not good at science at school – in fact I wasn’t that good at anything.
“I went back into education with lots of trepidation. But the college has helped me.
“I hope to do more qualifications in the future, improve my skills and become a technician in the future. And then hopefully continue to work my way up the career ladder.
“The highlight of the course is realising I can still do it (education) – it’s been a long time since I was in school and I’ve learnt more during this course than I did during my entire time at school.
“It’s been hard at times – I started when Covid first happened – but the College have been a massive support and I’ve loved it.
“I’d say to others who are thinking about going back into education that you should do it – you don’t know what you are missing out on.
“When I found out I’d won I was at work. I was extremely shocked and I didn’t think I would be nominated for the award – but my hard work must have been noticed by others.
“Getting the award has been a real confidence booster. It’s a proud moment for me - and my husband is also very proud.”