Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Celebrity historian Mary Beard has been honoured as a champion of lifelong learning at this year’s Get the Nation Learning awards. The bestselling author, broadcaster and classicist joins the British Army and Walsall Football Club among 12 winners of this year’s celebrations, which also recognised colleges, adult education providers and inspirational learners. Beard received the lifelong learning ambassador award for making classical history accessible through her books and television programmes. She is also a fellow of City Lit and an advocate for women in academia. She follows former politician Ed Balls, who won the award last year. The awards, organised by Learning and Work Institute (L&W), were presented at the Royal Society in London on Wednesday as part of Get the Nation Learning week. The British Army was named employer of the year for its commitment to essential skills, social mobility and preparing service personnel for civilian careers. Walsall FC won the talent is everywhere award for a training programme developed with Pilot IMS, which helps local residents gain qualifications and paid matchday work in spectator safety, security and event operations. Among the FE winners, Newham College received the net zero hero award for its green skills provision in construction, engineering and retrofit. Its offer includes 22 short courses in sustainability and low-carbon construction. Westminster Adult Education Service was named learning provider of the year for programmes spanning English, maths, ESOL, digital skills and apprenticeships, particularly for adults facing barriers to education. West Yorkshire Combined Authority took the regional growth award for using devolved adult education powers to align training with local jobs and employers. Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATTFE) won the stronger communities award for its Stop the Bleed initiative, teaching thousands of people first responder skills for serious incidents. Two individual learners were also recognised. Stacy McKeown, from Salford, received the patron’s award from the Princess Royal after progressing from unemployment and personal hardship into an adult social care apprenticeship and higher education. Aiden Tsen won the new directions award after spending five years out of education, employment and training amid health challenges. He entered the NHS through a King’s Trust programme, completed three FE qualifications and is now studying for an access to higher education diploma. Elsewhere, Adult Literacy Trust won the essential skills award for its volunteer reading coaches, while Barts Health NHS Trust took the learning with technology award for developing staff digital, data and AI skills, including through apprenticeships. Adult Learning North Yorkshire received the healthier futures award for supporting residents who may be experiencing isolation, poor mental health or long-term inactivity through community learning and one-to-one conversations. Stephen Evans, L&W’s chief executive, said the winners demonstrated the benefits of learning for “individuals, communities and our society as a whole”.