2026 winners and national finalists
The organisations and individuals leading the way
Winners of the 2026 Apprenticeship and Training Awards were announced at the Gala Dinner in Liverpool on 3 March 2026. Awards Principal Partner: City & Guilds.
01
Innovation in training delivery
Winner
Greene King
National finalists
AccXel
Kaplan Financial
Telford College
Highly commended
02
Best partnership in training
Winner
McDonald’s and Lifetime Training
National finalists
BAM and Leeds College of Building
Highly commended
Busy Bees Education and Training and Busy Bees Nurseries
London South Bank University and Network Rail
Realise Training Group and United Response
Trafford and Stockport College Group and Manchester Airports Group
Weston College and Thatchers Cider
03
Sponsored by
Diversity and inclusion award
Winner
City of Wolverhampton Council
National finalists
Coach Core Foundation
Gower College Swansea
Lifetime Training
04
Sponsored by
Sustainability in training and apprenticeships
Winner
Kleek Apprenticeships
National finalists
Greenpays by Workpays
05
Employer commitment to apprenticeships and training
Winner
Busy Bees Nurseries
National finalists
Greene King
HM Revenue & Customs
Mitchells and Butlers
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North West London Pathology
06
Sponsored by
Best new apprenticeship programme
Winner
The Sheffield College
National finalists
Crosby Aviation Training
Forward with Marcus Wareing
University Centre Weston
07
Excellence in learner support
Winner
Kaplan
National finalists
Best Practice Network
Central Bedfordshire Council
Exeter College Apprentice Learning Support Team
Highly commended
London South Bank University
North Bristol NHS Trust
08
Sponsored by
Best use of technology in training
Winner
Juice Talent Development / Recruitment Juice
National finalists
JTL
Learning Curve Group
The Childcare Company
09
Sponsored by
Outstanding contribution to apprenticeships and training (individual)
Winner
Phil Warnock, Founder, Ginger Nut Training
National finalists
Carolyn Stokes, Managing Director, Performance Through People
Ed Wray, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Coach Core Foundation
Paul Drew, Director / Interim MD at Smart Energy
Rod Davis, CEO, South West Association of Training Providers
Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships, London South Bank University
10
Employer support for social mobility
Winner
Greene King
National finalists
Accenture
Highly commended
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd
11
Best workplace readiness scheme
Winner
Juniper Training
National finalists
BAE Systems
Exeter College
MPCT (Learning Curve Group)
12
Excellence in English and maths skills development
Winner
Educationwise
National finalists
CU Apprenticeships (Better Futures) LTD
13
Sponsored by
Apprenticeship provider of the year
Winner
Bradford College
National finalists
Apprentify
In-Comm Training & Business Services Limited
Kleek Apprenticeships
Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Exeter
Highly commended
Workpays Limited
14
Sponsored by
Employer champion of the year
Winner
National Grid
National finalists
Arla Foods
Group 1 Automotive UK
Talent for Care at ESNEFT
15
Sponsored by
Outstanding apprenticeship programme
Winner
Myerscough College
National finalists
Capital City College Group
Kirklees College
Realise Training Group
University of East London
University of Sunderland
16
Sponsored by
Large employer of the year
Winner
Muller UK & Ireland
National finalists
Arla Foods
Asda
Avove Utilities
BAM UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland
London Borough of Hackney
Highly commended
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
17
Sponsored by
SME employer of the year
Winner
Johns of Nottingham Ltd
National finalists
Campbell Clinic
Coach Core Foundation
Highly commended
Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd
18
Sponsored by
Specialist training provider of the year
Winner
CSR Scientific Training Ltd
National finalists
Mary Hare
Rycotewood Furniture Centre
Highly commended
Seetec
Tempdent Recruitment & Training
TRS
Highly commended
19
Sponsored by
Training provider of the year
Winner
Cambridge Spark
National finalists
BPP Education Group
In-Comm Training & Business Services Ltd
SCL Professional
Highly commended
Shaping Lives
University Centre Somerset College Group