The National Training Awards and National Apprenticeship Awards have joined forces for the first time to identify the UK’s top apprenticeship and training providers.
Both awards, which are run by the National Apprenticeship Service, are now open for entries on a regional and national level.
Skills minister John Hayes said: “Skills are vital because they encourage ambition and enterprise and help drive economic growth and social renewal. These joint awards offer a great platform for young people and employers to gain recognition not just for excelling in their chosen field, but for playing a leading part in that vital process.”
The National Training Awards are calling for entries from organisations that have delivered outstanding training programmes.
Last year Eaglescliffe-based Tata Global Beverages, which manufactures the Tetley tea brand, was the winner of the Large Employer category.
Plant manager Tony Stubbs commented: “Being a winner last year was amazing. We continually invest in the development of our staff and to have this recognised was a huge achievement.”
At the same time, the National Apprenticeship Awards are looking for the country’s most outstanding apprenticeship employers and apprentices. For the second year running the Best Employer category entries will also feature in the prestigious annual Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, produced in partnership with City & Guilds and published in the national press at the end of the year.
This year the National Training Award and National Apprenticeship Award winners will celebrate their success together at Europe’s largest skills and careers event, The Skills Show, held at the NEC Birmingham on November 14.
David Way, chief operation officer of NAS, said: “Entering is a real opportunity for employers and individuals to gain the recognition they richly deserve for building the national skills base, and sharing centre stage at such a prestigious event will be a fitting tribute.”
To find out more about how to enter both the National Apprenticeship Awards and/or the National Training Awards visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards.
Entries close on Friday, May 25.
