The prestigious Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025 lit up the Hilton Manchester Deansgate last Thursday night, 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
- Best Apprenticeship in Automotive/Transport: Steer Automotive Group
- Best Apprenticeship in Construction: Bagnalls
- Best Apprenticeship in Agriculture & Food Production: MDS
- Best College for Apprenticeships: Wigan & Leigh College
- Best Apprenticeship in IT: Northeastern University London
- Best Apprenticeship in Education: University of East London
- Best Apprenticeship in Energy & Utilities: Electricity North West
- Best Apprenticeship in Engineering/Manufacturing: Wigan & Leigh College
- Best Apprenticeship in Financial Services: Lloyds Banking Group
- Best Apprenticeship in Hair & Beauty: Debut Training Academy
- Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare: University of Cumbria
- Best Apprenticeship in Hospitality & Tourism: Mitchells & Butlers
- Mentor of the Year: Paoline Joy Funtila from Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.
- Best Apprenticeship in Professional Services: Grant Thornton
- Best Training Provider: Baltic Apprenticeships
- Leadership in Apprenticeships Award: Serena Phillips from Savills
- Best University for Apprenticeships: London South Bank University
- Excellence in Training Delivery: NSCG – Newcastle and Stafford Colleges group
- Best Employer (Small): Rhotic Media
- Best Employer (Medium): Bagnalls
- Best Employer (Large): AstraZeneca
In addition to the winners, this year we introduced the Highly Commended certificates for the following:
- Apprentice of the Year: AstraZeneca
- Best Apprentice in Engineering/Manufacturing: HIT Training
- Best Employer (small): Baltic Apprenticeships
- Best Employer (medium): Cripps
- Best University for Apprenticeships : University of Cumbria
- Leadership in Apprenticeships Award: Steer Automotive Group
- Mentor of the Year: Mitchells & Butlers
Big thank you to our partners and sponsors including Aptem as our headline sponsor, BCS, Centrica, JD Group, Mindful Education, Oxford Brookes University, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and Professional Assessment.
How were the categories judged?
The awards were judged by an independent panel of experts from across the apprenticeship sectors, including representatives from NHS England, FISSS, the Association of Apprentices, Next Gen Makers, and many more. Their rigorous and fair evaluation process ensured that the awards were a true testament to excellence in the field.
The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025 not only celebrated the successes of individuals and organizations but also underscored the significant impact of apprenticeships in shaping skilled professionals across various industries.
As we look forward to next year, the bar is set even higher, promising another exciting chapter in the story of apprenticeship excellence in the UK! See you then!
Want to get involved in the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026?
Contact Ian Cotton at ian.cotton@barkerbrooks.co.uk to find out about opportunities to judge, partner with, and sponsor the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2026.
In addition to this, this year, we’re celebrating out 20th birthday of the Apprenticeship Guide. To be a part of this special edition, which goes to 4,000+ schools and colleges in England, please visit The Apprenticeship Guide or Get in touch.