Dom Bronley and Jahmari Cumberbatch named ‘Young Builders of the Year’ ​​​​​​

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) and LB Hackney students win the 2025 Young Builder of the Year Awards

The 2025 Young Builder of the Year Awards recently named its winners: Dom Bronley, recognised in the 14–18-year-old category and Jahmari Cumberbatch in the 19–24-year-old group.

The Young Builder of the Year awards are an annual celebration of young people between the ages of 14 and 24 years old who, despite facing a range of challenges, have succeeded in securing training or gaining employment within the construction industry.

Nominated by NSCG College, Dom grew up in circumstances that brought instability and hardship from an early age.

His mother’s struggles with addiction meant she left when he was just three, and he lived with his father, who also used drugs regularly. Violence within the family and losing contact with his mother created further strain during his formative years.

Dom carried these experiences quietly, only beginning to share them with staff more recently. Despite everything, he has remained respectful and committed to his education, maintaining strong attendance and working hard at bricklaying.

Nominated by LB Hackney, Jahmari’s life changed in an instant when he was the victim of a shooting, targeted in a case of mistaken identity. 

The physical recovery was long and complex, but the emotional and social impact proved just as challenging.

He faced the fear of being unfairly labelled as gang-affiliated due to the circumstances of the attack, a stereotype he has worked hard to avoid. 

Instead, Jahmari focused on his rehabilitation, determined to show through his actions that he is building a positive future. His courage in the aftermath of such violence demonstrates strength not only in healing but in shaping the direction of his life on his own terms.

Toolstation continued its role as a leading award sponsor of the 2025 Young Builder of the Year Awards organised by Youthbuild UK.