Award Categories

The 2025 Apprenticeship Guide Awards is open to submissions

The Apprenticeship Guide Awards categories are designed to encourage submissions from all employers and learning providers, while also offering a range of individual and team awards for apprentices to be recognised too. We want to enable the very best to be recognised and rewarded.

Find the categories and criteria, key information and links below. Good luck!

Key dates and deadlines General rules and requirements

Happy 20th birthday to the Apprenticeship Guide!

The Apprenticeship Guide has been supporting apprenticeships along their journeys since 2005.

Now in its second year, the Apprenticeship Guide Awards is uniquely positioned to celebrate outstanding apprenticeship employers and providers!

Categories are designed to encourage nominations from small, mid-tier, and large firms, while also offering a wide range of individual and team awards. The very best employers will be scrutinised, recognised, and rewarded.

An independent panel of local and national experts from the profession judge the awards every year, ensuring a fair and robust process.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony and dinner, held in Manchester, where the finalists meet, network and celebrate as a profession.

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to produce a submission that our independent panel of judges will find clear, concise and memorable.

How to enter How to win Rules Contact us Register now to enter

How to enter

The deadline for submissions for the 2025 Awards is 20 December 2024.

Register

To enter the Apprenticeship Guide Awards, you need to register and pay the £150 registration fee. This will enable you to access the entry form and enter as many categories as you wish.

Click here to register
Pick your categories

The categories are designed to encourage submissions from every kind of business, while also offering a wide range of individual and team awards, with a view to enabling the very best employers to be scrutinised, recognised and rewarded.

And you can enter as many as you wish.

Read the criteria carefully for each and decide which will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths.

The criteria are in a Q&A format, so follow this closely to provide the independent judging panel with a clear, easy-to-follow submission and include all of the information requested. Rest assured, the process is entirely confidential.

Read the categories & criteria
Choose the form of your submission

Make sure every submission is unique for the category that you’re entering.

We accept written submissions of between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion).

Written submissions are at their best after several drafts, with input from everyone involved. Remember that your submission needs to stand out from the crowd, so keep it active, free of jargon, and don’t forget to proofread your words before entering.

Alternatively, you can enter a video submission. You’ll have a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate why you, your team or business should win the particular category. Videos are easy to digest and revisit, and they allow the judges to put a face to an entry.

Please note, we are no longer accepting video files. To submit a video, you must upload it to a third-party platform such as YouTube or your own website and supply a link (ensure that the video is private or password protected before submitting).
Submit via the form

Entries should be submitted no later than 11.59pm on the entry deadline.

Submissions can only be accepted via the entry form, which you can access after registering and paying the registration fee.

Fill out all of the required information. There are mandatory fields for the person providing the submission as well as the subject of the submission.

If you are putting an organisation forward for an award, mark the fields under the Nominee heading with an ‘N/A’ except for the Company name field and make sure you choose the correct category from the list. Doing so reveals the correct category criteria and fields in which to paste your submission. The form must be filled out and submitted for every category.

The form removes all formatting, so don’t worry about italics, bolding, underlining or hyperlinking, as these won’t make it through our system. Furthermore, no supporting documents and attachments are allowed, so don’t use the attach buttons for CVs, promo videos, PDFs and Word docs—these won’t make it through our system, either.

For written submissions, input your 250 to 1,000 words in the provided fields. For video submissions, fill out the form (except the criteria fields) and paste the link to your video into the one of the criteria fields.

Log in to view the entry form
Attach your logo

If you make it to the shortlist, we’ll need a high-resolution version of your logo for the ceremony and marketing campaigns. We accept the .JPEG, .PNG and .PDF formats, but prefer .EPS wherever possible. If you don’t have this, don’t worry.
Attach nominee’s photo

This is for the Talent categories. Colour photos are preferred, wide, horizontal shots work well, and high resolution .JPEG is best.
Sit back and wait for news

That’s it, you’re done! Approximately two weeks following the submission deadline, our judging panel will convene to make their decisions. We’ll then get in touch with every finalist to give them the good news.

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully evaluate the criteria for the categories you’re entering and provide a well-produced submission before the entry deadline.
Check the criteria. Each category has its own criteria, and each submission should be unique.
Provide evidence. Include as many results and evidence of success as you can, including testimonials. Judges are there to be swayed, so sway them.
Keep it simple. Write or speak clearly and concisely so the judges can quickly understand the points you’re making.
Consult with the relevant team. Collaborate on your submission as you do your work, and ensure that your whole team contributes.
Be enthusiastic, transparent, and honest. Inspire the judges by sharing your organisation’s ethos and passion for your work without trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty is the best policy.
Redraft and revise. Once your submission is ready, start again and interrogate every fact and figure. Are they correct? Question every claim. Is that true? Weigh your language. Is that a helpful term or an empty buzzword?

Rules and requirements

Entrants must be based in England or provide apprenticeships or training in England
Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish
Submissions must be unique and tailored to meet the criteria of each category
Entrants must nominate themselves
The Apprenticeship Guide Awards accepts both video and written submission
Written submissions must be between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion)
Video submissions should be no longer than three minutes long
Submissions can be made until 11.59pm on entry deadline day (20 December 2024)
Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony
The Apprenticeship Guide Awards reserves the right to remove any entries which do not meet the above criteria

Headshot of Ian Cotton For information on sponsorship, contact Ian Cotton

ian.cotton@barkerbrooks.co.uk

+44 (0)113 521 6093

A round headshot of Anabel Page, who works on tickets for the Apprenticeship Guide. She is wearing scholarly wire frame glasses and has her brown hair parted in the centre. She is smiling and wearing a professional white shirt. For information on your entry, contact Anabel Page

anabel.page@barkerbrooks.co.uk

+44 (0)113 887 7007

Individual & Team Awards

Apprentice of the Year
Description: This award recognises an individual apprentice who has demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication, and growth throughout their apprenticeship.

Open to: Any apprentice currently undertaking an apprenticeship or who has completed their apprenticeship no earlier than May 2024.

Entry criteria questions:

Is the Nominee currently enrolled as an apprentice at any level (Level 2 to 7)?

Can you provide specific examples of the exceptional skills they have demonstrated in their industry or field of apprenticeship?

How have they consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to their apprenticeship beyond the standard requirements?

Can you highlight instances where they have shown significant growth in their knowledge, skills, and competencies during their apprenticeship?

In what ways have their contributions positively impacted the workplace or industry?

Have they undertaken any additional training, certifications, or workshops to further their professional development during their apprenticeship?

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Mentor of the Year
Description: This award honours an individual who has provided exemplary mentorship and guidance to apprentices, contributing significantly to their development.

Entry criteria questions:

How long has the nominee been serving as a mentor to apprentices? (number answer)

Can you provide specific examples of how they have demonstrated exemplary mentorship and guidance to apprentices throughout their development?

How have they contributed to the professional growth and success of the apprentices they have mentored?

In what ways have they gone above and beyond to support the personal and professional development of the apprentices under their guidance?

How do they create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters learning and growth for apprentices?

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Leadership in Apprenticeships Award
Description: This award acknowledges an individual who has shown exceptional leadership in overseeing and managing apprenticeship programmes within their organisation.

Entry criteria questions:

How long has the nominee been responsible for overseeing and managing apprenticeship programmes? (number answer)

Can you provide specific examples of how they have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the design, implementation, and management of the apprenticeship program?

How have they contributed to the strategic development and growth of apprenticeship initiatives within their organisation?

In what ways have they ensured that the apprenticeship programme aligns with the organisation’s overall goals and objectives?

Have they successfully navigated any challenges or obstacles related to apprenticeships, and if so, how did they address them?

How have they promoted a culture of learning, development, and inclusivity within the apprenticeship programmes they oversee?

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Excellence in Training Delivery
Description: This award recognises an individual or team that has consistently delivered high-quality training and educational support to apprentices. This category is open to training providers, colleges, and universities.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you provide specific examples of how you or your team have consistently delivered high-quality training and educational support to apprentices?

How have you ensured that the training provided meets or exceeds industry standards and best practices?

In what ways have you tailored training programmes to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of apprentices?

Have you collaborated with employers or industry partners to align training with current industry trends and demands?

How have you monitored and assessed the progress and performance of apprentices throughout their training?

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Sector Awards

Best Apprenticeship in Engineering/Manufacturing
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the engineering or manufacturing industry.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the engineering/manufacturing industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in IT
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the Information Technology industry.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the IT industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the Healthcare industry including hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the Healthcare industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Category Sponsor

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is a proud partner of the Apprenticeship Guide Awards.
Best Apprenticeship in Financial Services
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the Financial Services industry including banking, insurance, and investment firms.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the Financial Services industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Creative Industries
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the Creative Industry in fields such as design, media, advertising, or entertainment.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the creative industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Tourism
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the hospitality and tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the hospitality and tourism industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Construction
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the construction industry, including builders, contractors, and skilled trades;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the construction industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Retail
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the retail sector, including stores, supermarkets, and e-commerce;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the retail industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Energy and Utilities
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the energy and utilities sector, including renewable energy, oil and gas, and water management;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the energy and utilities industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Automotive/ Transport
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the automotive & transport industry, including vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, and repair shops as well as buses & trains;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the automotive/transport industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Education
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the education sector;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the education sector?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Agriculture and Food Production
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the agriculture, farming, food processing, or food production industries;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the agriculture and food production industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship in Professional Services
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the fields of law, accountancy and consultancy services;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the professional services industry?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship Programme in Hair & Beauty
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the hair & beauty, skin care & cosmetics, or wellbeing services;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the hair & wellbeing sector?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Best Apprenticeship Programme in Public Services
Description: This award recognises outstanding apprenticeship programmes within the police, armed forces, fire services or civil services;

Entry criteria questions:

Can you outline the specific objectives and focus areas of the apprenticeship programme in your organisation?

How long is the apprenticeship program, and what is the overall structure, including any phases or modules?

Describe the curriculum and learning materials used in the apprenticeship program. How are they tailored to the needs of the public services sector?

What specific skills and competencies do apprentices gain through your apprenticeship program?

How has the apprenticeship programme contributed to the advancement or development of your organisation and the wider industry? (testimonials welcome)

What measures have been taken to continuously improve and enhance the apprenticeship programme in response to feedback and evolving industry needs?

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Organisation Awards

Best Employer (small)
Description: Open to all businesses with employee numbers of between 1-250;

How has your organisation developed professional training and advancement for employees?

What initiatives has your organisation undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health?

Has your organisation created jobs in your jurisdiction? If so, how many, in what areas and to what end?

What outreach does your organisation undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about your business?

What recognition has your organisation received from third parties for its efforts as an employer?

Tell us why you deserve to be named best SME employer for apprentices in 2024?

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Best Employer (medium)
Description: Open to all businesses with employee numbers between 251-1000;

How has your organisation developed professional training and advancement for employees?

What initiatives has your organisation undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health?

Has your organisation created jobs in your jurisdiction? If so, how many, in what areas and to what end?

What outreach does your organisation undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about your business?

What recognition has your organisation received from third parties for its efforts as an employer?

Tell us why you deserve to be named best medium sized employer for apprentices in 2024?

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Best Employer (large)
Description: Open to all businesses with over 1000 employees;

How has your organisation developed professional training and advancement for employees?

What initiatives has your organisation undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health?

Has your organisation created jobs in your jurisdiction? If so, how many, in what areas and to what end?

What outreach does your organisation undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about your business?

What recognition has your organisation received from third parties for its efforts as an employer?

Tell us why you deserve to be named best large employer for apprentices in 2024?

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Best Training Provider
Description: This award recognises the best training provider for apprenticeships.

Entry criteria questions:

What types of apprenticeship programmes does your training provider offer? Please provide a brief overview.

Which industry sectors do your apprenticeship programmes cover? Please list the relevant sectors.

How long has your training provider been offering apprenticeship programmes, and can you highlight any significant achievements or milestones over the last 12 months?

Approximately how many apprentices have been supported by your training provider over the past year?

How do you tailor apprenticeship programmes to meet the specific needs and requirements of both apprentices and employers?

Can you share success stories or testimonials from apprentices who have completed programmes with your training provider?

Tell us why you deserve to be named best training provider for 2024?

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Best College for Apprenticeships
Description: This award recognises the best college for apprenticeships.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you provide an overview of the apprenticeship programmes offered by your college, including the types of industries they cover?

Approximately how many apprentices have been supported by your college over the past year?

Can you highlight any strategic partnerships your college has with employers, industry bodies, or other stakeholders that enhance apprenticeship offerings?

What is the success rate of apprentices who complete programmes through your college?

How do you measure and ensure high levels of satisfaction among employers who engage with your apprenticeship programmes?

What quality assurance measures does your college have in place to ensure the highest standards in apprenticeship delivery?

Tell us why you deserve to be named best College for Apprentices in 2024?

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Best University for Apprenticeships
Description: This award recognises the best university for apprenticeships.

Entry criteria questions:

Can you provide an overview of the apprenticeship programmes offered by your university, including the types of industries they cover?

Approximately how many apprentices have been supported by your university over the past year?

Can you highlight any strategic partnerships your university has with employers, industry bodies, or other stakeholders that enhance apprenticeship offerings?

What is the success rate of apprentices who complete programmes through your university?

How do you measure and ensure high levels of satisfaction among employers who engage with your apprenticeship programmes?

Tell us why you deserve to be named Best University for Apprenticeships 2024?

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Category Sponsor

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Key Dates for Your Diary

All the dates you need for the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025

Submission deadline 20 December 2024
Shortlist announcement National Apprenticeship Week
Awards ceremony 1 May 2025

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The 2025 Apprenticeship Guide Awards is open to submissions

Individual & Team Awards

Sector Awards

Organisation Awards

Key Dates for Your Diary

Sponsors

Are you ready to enter The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025?

Sponsors & partners

Award Categories

The 2025 Apprenticeship Guide Awards is open to submissions

Key Dates for Your Diary

Happy 20th birthday to the Apprenticeship Guide!

How to enter

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

Rules and requirements

I have a question about…

Individual & Team Awards

Sector Awards

Category Sponsor

Category Sponsor

Category Sponsor

Category Sponsor

Organisation Awards

Category Sponsor

Key Dates for Your Diary

Sponsors

Are you ready to enter The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025?

Sponsors & partners