The prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025 lit up the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Thursday 1st May, drawing a distinguished crowd in a black-tie setting to celebrate the remarkable achievements within the apprenticeship sector.
The evening’s festivities
The event commenced at 7pm with a welcoming drinks reception, followed by dinner. The delicious three-course meal started with confit duck leg and chicken terrine, followed by pan seared supreme of chicken, and concluded with a baked New York cheesecake. Delicious!
Then, what the audience had all been waiting for: the awards ceremony began, hosted by UK comedian Mark Watson, known for his sharp wit, intelligent observations, and a knack for charming audiences with his relatable frustrations. The awards recognised a wide range of categories, highlighting the diverse and dynamic nature of apprenticeship programs in the UK.
Finally guests were invited into Cloud 23, a scenic rooftop bar within the event venue, for the afterparty and ongoing celebrations of the 20th edition of our upcoming 2026 Apprenticeship Guide, due to be on general sale in October 2025. Here, the band Hipster brought their unique blend of classic rock, pop and indie for the very best entertainment. Formed in 2000, the foursome have performed well over a thousand times together across the UK, and internationally. They’ve even played for Prince Harry!
The winners of the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025
Here is a quick rundown of the winners from the evening:
- Apprentice of the Year: Alice Foster from Wigan & Leigh College