The Apprenticeship Guide Awards took place on 10 May 2024! The competition was fierce and out of the many entrants, only 23 went home with prizes.
Every winner was deserving, and the judges shared their comments on the night via the host, comedian and actress Lucy Porter. We thought we’d share them here for posterity.. and so that future entrants can have a look and see what their competition is up to as well!
The winners
Apprentice of the year: Euan Wilcox from IBM UK
Euan Wilcox from IBM UK took home the prize on the night, winning from a strong shortlist of eight finalists. The judges said,
“Our independent judging panel commended the winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award on their strong nomination.
Their remarkable dedication and brilliance as an apprentice set them apart from their peers, making them a standout choice for this prestigious award.”
Best apprenticeship in automotive/transport: Go-Ahead London
Go-Ahead London won the award based on the strength of their apprenticeship training programme. The judges said,
“The winner of Best Apprenticeship in Automotive/Transport distinguished themself with the presence of excellent tutors and compelling testimonials.
By supporting a wide range of ages, and tailoring its curriculum to specific locations, this apprenticeship programme has increased the diversity of its participants and has a commendable track record in widening participation.”
Best apprenticeship in construction: Bagnalls
Bagnalls’ level 2 painting and decorating apprenticeship programme stood out among the other entrants! The judges said,
“This standout Apprenticeship in Construction impressed judges with their commitment to longevity, even in an entry-level apprenticeship programme.
With a strong focus on success and achievement rates, they’ve facilitated diverse career paths and increasing female participation. Judges hailed them as exemplifying best practices for SMEs in the apprenticeship space.”
Best apprenticeship in creative industries: Royal Opera House
The creative industries are notoriously heard to break into, and it was the Royal Opera House who took home the prize. The judges said,
“The winner of Best Apprenticeship in Creative Industries has a forward-thinking approach, considering the wider sector rather than solely focusing on their organisation.
Their proactive outreach initiatives, particularly in addressing neurodiversity and mentor training, make them stand out from their peers.”
Best apprenticeship in education: Realise
Realise took home the award for their early years practitioner apprenticeship, which stood out on the shortlist. The judging panel said,
“In a fiercely competitive category, the winner of the Best Apprenticeship in Education showcased commendable work in EDI.
Judges also noted their proactive approach to self-improvement and provision of ample extra support. Their impact is evidenced by their exceptionally high distinction levels.”
Best apprenticeship in energy & utilities: Centrica
Centrica’s dual fuel smart meter installer apprenticeship won the award for their industry sector. The judging panel said,
“The winner of Best Apprentice in Enegy & Utilities garnered attention for its bespoke support for apprentices, and robust feedback systems.
This exceptional nominee offers in-house resources, and a strong focus on mentorship, demonstrating a commitment to industry leadership beyond organisational boundaries.”
Best apprenticeship in engineering & manufacturing: Ontic
The winner of this category was Ontic for their levels 3 and 4 engineering technician apprenticeships. The judges said,
“The winner of Best Apprenticeship in Engineering & Manufacturing impressed judges with its clear structure and flexibility.
The winning programme seamlessly blends both technical and life skills and can clearly demonstrate the value of the programme to its learners, with additional learning from industry experts.”
Best apprenticeship in financial services: Aon
Aon’s school leaver programme impressed the judges in this hotly contested category. The judging panel said,
“In a highly competitive category, the winner of Best Apprenticeship in Financial Services impressed the judging panel with its commitment to widening participation and social mobility. Their trailblazing efforts are demonstrably increasing diversity within the sector.”
Best apprenticeship in hair & beauty: Kleek Apprenticeships
Kleek Apprenticeships took home the prize in the hair and beauty category. The judging panel said,
“The winner of Best Apprenticeship in Hair & Beauty distinguished itself with blended learning approaches and customised materials.
Notably, this programme has a remarkable track record of outstanding performance over almost two decades. A strong culture of internal promotion from the apprenticeship pool set it apart from the competition.”
Best apprenticeship in healthcare: University of Westminster
This category, sponsored by Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, had a strong and varied shortlist. The University of Westminster took home the prize for their level 6 healthcare science practitioner apprenticeship.
The judging panel noted,
“The standout recipient of Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare has excelled with its robust academic framework, comprehensive content based on strong methodology, and rigorous end-point assessment.
With over a hundred apprentices across numerous employers and excellent feedback data, this programme clearly stood out