Nominations are officially open for the Apprenticeship & Training Awards 2026, the UK’s national celebration of excellence in apprenticeships and training.
After receiving more than 700 nominations in 2025, this year promises to be another record-breaking showcase of the employers, providers, and individuals who are transforming opportunities for learners and driving innovation across the skills sector.
These prestigious awards highlight the very best in the country – organisations who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding training, create pathways into successful careers, and champion apprenticeships and workforce development.
Recognising the best of the best
The Apprenticeship & Training Awards shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals setting the benchmark for excellence. Categories span across the sector, from employer commitment and provider innovation to diversity and inclusion, partnerships, and outstanding contribution.
In 2025, winners ranged from household names like Greene King and Amazon, to education providers such as South Essex Colleges Group, CATCH, and EMTEC Automotive Apprenticeships. Inspirational individuals including Jane Hadfield (NHS England/Health Education England) and Gary Laybourne (Coach Core Foundation) also took home national recognition.
From Parliament to the national ceremony
Reaching the finalist stage alone is a major achievement, offering unparalleled national recognition. In February 2026, all shortlisted finalists will be invited to a special Parliamentary reception hosted by Baroness Nicky Morgan in the House of Lords.
This exclusive gathering, held in the historic surroundings of Westminster, provides finalists with the opportunity to network with sector leaders, policymakers, and MPs while celebrating their success on a national stage.
The celebrations then culminate in March with the legendary Gala Dinner and Awards Evening, held during the Apprenticeships & Training Conference (ATC) in Liverpool. Known as one of the most prestigious nights of the sector calendar, the Gala is an unmissable occasion – bringing together over 700 attendees from across apprenticeships and training for an evening of recognition, entertainment, and celebration.
Why Enter?
Winning, or even being shortlisted, at the Apprenticeship & Training Awards delivers significant benefits:
- National recognition: Finalists and winners are profiled in FE Week, celebrated at Parliament, and honoured at the Gala Dinner.
- Enhanced reputation: Success at the awards validates your work, strengthens your credibility, and reinforces your position as a leader in apprenticeships and training.
- Staff and learner pride: Recognition boosts morale, celebrates team efforts, and highlights the life-changing impact of apprenticeships and training on individuals and communities.
- Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with employers, providers, policymakers, and peers who share your passion for skills and workforce development.
Founded in 2017 by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), the Apprenticeship & Training Awards have grown to become the national benchmark of excellence in the sector.
Delivered as a core part of the Apprenticeships & Training Conference, the awards are embedded in the UK’s largest gathering of apprenticeship and training professionals. Over nearly a decade, the conference and awards have created a platform to share innovation, celebrate achievement, and influence the national skills agenda.
How to nominate
Submitting a nomination is straightforward and free:
- Choose your category – Review the full list of awards and decide where your work, organisation, or partnership shines brightest.
- Prepare your evidence – Demonstrate the outcomes, innovation, and impact that make your entry stand out.
- Submit online – Nominations are now open via the official website.
Nominations will close on Friday 7 November with national finalists announced in December.
Be part of the celebration
With more than 700 nominations received last year, the Apprenticeship & Training Awards continue to go from strength to strength. The stories shared through these awards not only celebrate success, but also inspire the wider sector to strive for even greater impact.
Don’t miss your chance to join this prestigious line-up. Whether you are a pioneering employer, an innovative training provider, or an individual who has gone above and beyond, now is the time to put your achievements forward.
Submit your nomination today and take your place in the national celebration of apprenticeships and training.
For more information visit: apprenticeshipandtrainingawards.com
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