National Finalists
More than 90 organisations have been named as national finalists for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026. Discover the full list of organisations below and what happens next.
ATAs 2026
More than 90 organisations have been announced as national finalists for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026, recognising outstanding commitment to apprenticeships, skills and workforce development across the country.
Entries were assessed by an independent panel of expert judges, who reviewed evidence against strict criteria, including learner impact, innovation, inclusivity and employer engagement. The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the strength and ambition of the apprenticeships and training sector.
In February 2026, all national finalists will be formally recognised at a special parliamentary reception hosted by former education secretary Baroness Morgan. Ahead of the national ceremony at the Apprenticeships & Training Conference on Tuesday 3 March.
Innovation in training delivery
Open to: Employer or Training Provider
Celebrates creativity and innovation in how training or apprenticeship programmes are delivered, leading to improved outcomes.
2026 National Finalists
| AccXel |
| Greene King |
| Kaplan Financial |
| Telford College |
Best partnership in training
Open to: employer and/or training provider and/or service provider
Recognises a successful collaboration between an employer and/or training provider and/or service provider that has led to outstanding results in apprenticeship or training delivery.
2026 National Finalists
| BAM and Leeds College of Building |
| Busy Bees Education and Training and Busy Bees Nurseries |
| London South Bank University and Network Rail |
| McDonald’s and Lifetime Training |
| Realise Training Group and United Response |
| Trafford and Stockport College Group and Manchester Airports Group |
| Weston College and Thatchers Cider |
Diversity and inclusion award
Open to: Employer or Training Provider
For an organisation that has made significant efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within its apprenticeship and training programmes.
2026 National Finalists
| City of Wolverhampton Council |
| Coach Core Foundation |
| Gower College Swansea |
| Lifetime Training |
Sustainability in training and apprenticeships
Open to: Employer or Training Provider
Recognises an organisation that has integrated sustainability practices into their apprenticeship and training delivery.
2026 National Finalists
| Greenpays by Workpays |
| Kleek Apprenticeships |
Employer commitment to apprenticeships and training
Open to: Employer
Celebrates an employer’s long-term commitment to developing apprenticeships and training as a key part of their workforce strategy.
2026 National Finalists
| Busy Bees Nurseries |
| Greene King |
| HM Revenue & Customs |
| Mitchells and Butlers |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| North West London Pathology |
Best new apprenticeship programme
Employer or Training Provider
For a new apprenticeship programme that has been launched successfully and has shown significant early impact.
2026 National Finalists
| Crosby Aviation Training |
| Forward with Marcus Wareing |
| The Sheffield College |
| University Centre Weston |
Excellence in learner support
Open to: Employer or Training Provider
Recognises a training provider or employer that offers exceptional support to apprentices and trainees, helping them to succeed.
2026 National Finalists
| Best Practice Network |
| Central Bedfordshire Council |
| Exeter College Apprentice Learning Support Team |
| Kaplan |
| London South Bank University |
| North Bristol NHS Trust |
Best use of technology in training
Open to: Employer or Training Provider
Celebrates the innovative use of technology in delivering training or apprenticeships, leading to enhanced learning experiences and outcomes.
2026 National Finalists
| JTL |
| Juice Talent Development / Recruitment Juice |
| Learning Curve Group |
| The Childcare Company |
Outstanding contribution to apprenticeships and training (Individual)
Open to: An individual from an employer or training provider
Recognises an individual that has made a significant, long-term contribution to the advancement of apprenticeships and training in their industry and organisation.
2026 National Finalists
| Carolyn Stokes, Managing Director, Performance Through People |
| Ed Wray, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Coach Core Foundation |
| Paul Drew, Apprenticeship Director, JBC Skills Training |
| Phil Warnock, Founder, Ginger Nut Training |
| Rod Davis, CEO, South West Association of Training Providers |
| Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships, London South Bank University |
Employer support for social mobility
Open to: Employer
For an employer that has used apprenticeships and training to support social mobility and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups.
2026 National Finalists
| Accenture |
| Greene King |
| London Borough of Waltham Forest |
| Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd |
Best workplace readiness scheme
Open to: Training Provider
This category is designed to acknowledge the crucial role that training providers play in readying young people for the workplace, ensuring they have the necessary skills and confidence to succeed
2026 National Finalists
| BAE Systems |
| Exeter College |
| Juniper Training |
| MPCT (Learning Curve Group) |
Excellence in English and maths skills development
Open to: training provider
This category is designed to highlight the importance of English and Maths skills in the success of apprenticeships and workplace training, recognising training providers who excel in delivering these essential skills in innovative and effective ways.
2026 National Finalists
| CU Apprenticeships (Better Futures) LTD |
| Educationwise |
Apprenticeship provider of the year
Open to: training Provider
Celebrates a provider that specialises in delivering apprenticeships and has achieved outstanding results.
2026 National Finalists
| Apprentify |
| Bradford College |
| In-Comm Training & Business Services Limited |
| Kleek Apprenticeships |
| Manchester Metropolitan University |
| University of Exeter |
| Workpays Limited |
Employer champion of the year
Open to: Employer
Recognises an employer that has been an advocate for apprenticeships and training, demonstrating leadership and commitment.
2026 National Finalists
| Arla Foods |
| Group 1 Automotive UK |
| National Grid |
| Talent for Care at ESNEFT |
Outstanding apprenticeship programme
Open to: Employer or training provider
Recognises the most impactful and innovative apprenticeship programme an employer provider or training provider delivers.
2026 National Finalists
| Capital City College Group |
| Kirklees College |
| Myerscough College |
| Realise Training Group |
| University of East London |
| University of Sunderland |
Large employer of the year
Open to: Employer (Large (51+ employees and an annual turnover over £10m)
Recognises a large employer that has shown exceptional commitment to apprenticeship and workplace training programmes.
2026 National Finalists
| Arla Foods |
| Asda |
| Avove Utilities |
| BAM UK & Ireland |
| Compass Group UK & Ireland |
| London Borough of Hackney |
| Muller UK & Ireland |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
SME employer of the year
Open to: Employer (up to 50 employees or an annual turnover under £10m)
Celebrates a small or medium-sized employer that has demonstrated outstanding dedication to developing apprentices and trainees.
2026 National Finalists
| Campbell Clinic |
| Coach Core Foundation |
| Johns of Nottingham Ltd |
| Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd |
Specialist training provider of the year
Open to: Training Provider
Recognises a large employer that has shown exceptional commitment to apprenticeship and workplace training programmes.
2026 National Finalists
| CSR Scientific |
| Mary Hare |
| Rycotewood Furniture Centre |
| Seetec |
| Tempdent Recruitment & Training |
| TRS |
Training provider of the year
Open to: training provider
For the training provider that has delivered exceptional quality in apprenticeship and training programmes.
2026 National Finalists
| BPP Education Group |
| Cambridge Spark |
| In-Comm Training & Business Services Ltd |
| SCL Professional |
| Shaping Lives |
| University Centre Somerset College Group |
