News story: The race is on! Showcase your success stories at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019

Calling all employers who fire up their business with apprenticeships, inspirational apprentices who blaze their own trail, rising stars with the drive to succeed and individuals who champion apprenticeships with passion: the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019 are now open for applications – until Friday 24 May.

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2019 are a brilliant opportunity to highlight business and individual success in apprenticeships. Apprentice employers, apprentices and apprenticeship champions from all industries are invited to enter. The awards are open to everyone, across all workplaces, from Agriculture, the Arts to Science and Mathematics.

This year, the Apprenticeship Champion category has been transformed, with the application process starting with a nomination, aimed at those who know someone who champions apprenticeships with passion. After writing a short reference, the nominee will complete the application.

The award categories open to apprentices and individuals include:

Apprentice of the Year categories:

• Intermediate Level (level 2)
• Advanced Level (level 3)
• Higher or Degree Level (level 4 or higher)

Last year’s Higher or Degree Level winner was Jordan Coulton, a Paralegal undertaking the Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship with Weightman’s LLP. Jordan was not only Weightmans’ first apprentice but also the first higher Legal apprentice in the country.

Commenting on the benefits of entering the awards in 2019, Jordan said:

I would urge other apprentice’s who have made a valid contribution to their company and the wider apprenticeship movement to make an application for this year’s awards. I never realised how much of an impact actually winning would have – I have widened connections both within and outside Weightmans LLP as well as being recognised by my peers and colleagues alike. It will take 1 hour of your time and could change your life, do it!

Apprenticeship Champion of the Year

Recognises individuals who go ‘above and beyond’ to champion apprenticeships. And, new for 2019 – the initial nomination is now made by a colleague or contact who recognises an individual’s ‘champion’ credentials.

The Rising Star Award

Nominated by their employer, this award recognises apprentices that have made impressive progress in their career to date, and have the potential to go even further. The selection of the national winner will include a public vote.

The award categories open to employers include:

Employer of the Year categories:

• SME Employer of the Year (for organisations with 1 to 249 employees)
• Large Employer of the Year (for organisations with 250 to 4,999 employees)
• Macro Employer of the Year (for organisations with 5,000+ employees)

The Recruitment Excellence Award

The winner will be selected from Employer of the Year award entries, and will be awarded to an organisation that has recruited a diverse and high quality apprenticeship workforce.

Troup, Bywaters + Anders (T, B + A) won the SME Employer of the Year in 2018 and want to encourage employers, of all sizes, to enter the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Terry Canty, Partner at TB+A said:

We were absolutely delighted to win SME Employer of the year award; getting recognition at the highest level for our commitment to apprenticeships. We see apprenticeships as a positive way of tackling the technical skills gap, and a real addition to the established graduate route into the profession, with the added benefit of gaining valuable work experience along the way.

By entering the awards, employers and apprentices will be joining the best in the industry, showcasing your talents and learning from others. Just by taking part it sets you apart from the rest.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Anne Milton concluded:

The National Apprenticeships Awards is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate apprentices, their employers and the many apprenticeship programmes and their champions across the country.

Apprenticeships change lives of people of all ages and apprentices help businesses grow and thrive. I am thrilled that we are now seeing more and more employers large and small offering people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to start their apprenticeship journey and get on the path to a rewarding job and career.

If you know an amazing employer, apprentice or someone who is a passionate supporter of apprenticeships then please enter them and help celebrate this year’s successes. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to the award ceremony later this year!

A series of free to attend webinars to explain the awards process in more detail, including hints and tips on completing your application. There are two versions of webinars available, one for individuals and one for employers and each will last approximately 30 minutes. To find out more about the awards and to register to attend a webinar, visit the App Awards website.

National Apprenticeship Awards 2018

You can watch the National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 national ceremony highlights, follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and the National Apprenticeship Service page on LinkedIn to keep up to date with all the latest awards information.