Shortlist 2026

Your 2026 Shortlist

• Apprentice of the Year

  Ahtisham Cheema – East Sussex College / A1 Quality Care
  Amanda Stephens – Northeastern University / Toyota GB
  April Atkins – Softcat
  Chloe Auger – Kaplan / CI Know
  Emily Hewartson – Energus & Sellafield
  Frances Moore – Student Loans Company
  Jasneet Grover – JP Morgan
  Katir Ali – National Highways
  Xenia Zimmerman – BT Group PLC / University of Suffolk

• Best Apprenticeship in Agriculture and Animal Care

  Haddon Training Ltd

  MDS Ltd

• Best Apprenticeship in Automotive/Transport

  Go-Ahead London
  Northeastern University London
  South Hampshire College Group
  Volkswagen Group UK / Inspiro Learning

• Best Apprenticeship in Construction

  BAM UK & Ireland
  Learning Skills Partnership
  London South Bank University
  Rud Pedersen & Navantia UK
  Skills for Security
  University of Westminster

• Best Apprenticeship in Education

  Brooklands Technical College
  Impact Futures Group
  London South Bank University
  Opportunity Provider / Connect2EarlyYears
  Shaping Lives
  University of East London
  Vocational Training Services

• Best Apprenticeship in Energy & Utilities

  FCC Recycling (UK) Ltd

  Smart Energy Training

• Best Apprenticeship in Engineering

  Bournemouth and Poole College
  Inspiro Learning
  Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing
  Truro and Penwith College

  Category Sponsor

  

  At EAL, we design, provide and maintain a comprehensive range of qualifications, assessments and skills solutions for educators and training providers. We do this to ensure that engineers and engineering and manufacturing employers have the right skills, at the right time, to keep up with changing industry needs and the net-zero transition.
• Best Apprenticeship in Financial Services

  Aon

  Davies

  Equiniti

• Best Apprenticeship in Hair & Beauty

  Kleek Apprenticeships

  South Hampshire College Group

• Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare & Science

  Bournemouth University
  Capital City College
  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  London South Bank University
  Truro and Penwith College
  University of East London
  University of Hertfordshire
  University of Westminster

• Best Apprenticeship in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

  Capital City College
  Historic Royal Palaces
  Kew Green Hotels
  Mitchells and Butlers
  Truro and Penwith College

• Best Apprenticeship in IT & Digital

  Kaplan Financial
  Northeastern University London
  QA Ltd
  Softcat
  World Wide Technology

  Category Sponsor

  

  As a leading end-point assessment organisation for the digital apprenticeship standards, BCS has assessed more than 23,000 digital apprentices since 2017. We offer employers and apprentices the support they need to succeed, from webinars, line manager toolkits, to a comprehensive resource bank for apprentices.
• Best Apprenticeship in Manufacturing

  AstraZeneca
  Bournemouth & Poole College
  Cogent Skills
  DHL Supply Chain
  Morrisons

• Best Apprenticeship in Professional Services

  First Intuition

  HFW LLP

  KPMG

  Category Sponsor

  

  At Mindful Education, we produce flexible, award-winning, professional apprenticeships that continue to set new standards in blended learning.
• Best Apprenticeship programme in Sports and Fitness

  David Lloyd Clubs Limited

  Haddon Training Ltd

• Best Employer (large)

  Aon
  AstraZeneca
  BAM UK & Ireland
  Bright Horizons
  East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
  Kew Green Hotels
  Mace
  Morrisons

• Best Employer (medium)

  A1 Quality Homecare
  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation
  Historic Royal Palaces
  HMD Kontro Sealless Pumps
  London South Bank University – Waterman Group Plc
  Pension Protection Fund
  Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

• Best Employer (small)

  Baltic Apprenticeships
  Beyond the Fringe
  Bishop & Levett Ltd
  Hawes Construction
  MDS Ltd
  Rebel Rebel Fitness

• Best Training Provider

  Baltic Apprenticeships
  Impact Futures Group
  Lifetime
  Paragon Skills
  QA Ltd
  Skills for Security
  t2 group
  The Opportunity Provider Ltd (Formerly HIT Training Ltd)

• Best University for Apprenticeships

  Bournemouth University
  BPP University
  London South Bank University
  Manchester Metropolitan University
  University of Cumbria
  University of East London
  University of Kent
  University of the Built Environment
  University of Westminster

  Category Sponsor

  

  We are a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, the planet and our shareholders.
• Best College for Apprenticeships

  Leeds College of Building
  Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group
  Truro and Penwith College
  University Centre Somerset College Group

  Category Sponsor

  

  Aptem Apprentice: a customisable, end-to-end apprenticeship management system 
• Excellence in Training Delivery

  Capital City College
  Cogent Skills
  First Intuition
  Instep UK
  Lifetime
  Pier Training
  Smart Energy Training
  Tempdent

• Leadership in Apprenticeships Award

  Caroline Gascoigne – Equiniti
  Chris Havard – SP Electricity North West
  Emma Kelly – Northeastern University London
  Gemma Coombs – Nuclear Restoration Services
  Hannah Gore – QS
  Ian Carey – Brooklands Technical College
  Kirsty Baggot – Learning Skills Partnership
  Sammy Shummo – London South Bank University
  Vicky Patterson – Leeds College of Building

  Category Sponsor

  

  For fifty years, Race Equality First (REF) has been at the forefront of the fight against racial discrimination and hate in Wales. Established in 1976, REF is the recognised lead body in Wales for promoting race equality and challenging injustice. Our remit extends across all nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that discrimination, whether based on race, age, faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, is confronted wherever it occurs.
• Mentor of the Year

  Dan Howard – Lifetime
  Grace Burdett – IBM Technology UK / Northeastern University London
  Jim Rylance – Mitchells and Butlers
  Karen Purvis – Brooklands Technical College
  Lee Horsley – East Sussex College
  Rob Grey – Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing
  Robert Harrison – Stoke on Trent College
  Shaune Topham – Molson Coors Beverage Company

  Category Sponsor

  

  Centrica is an international energy and services company with a clear purpose: energising a greener, fairer future. With over 200 years of heritage at the heart of the UK energy sector, we make, store, move, sell and mend energy through trusted brands including British Gas, Bord Gáis Energy and Centrica Business Solutions.