Many industries are fond of rolling out the red carpet and rewarding their brightest and best. The world of apprenticeships is no exception; there are several apprenticeship awards ceremonies that provide recognition for both apprentices and employers.
Here, we’ll examine the types of awards you can apply for and the categories available. We’ll also look at who can enter, how to join, and the reasons why it’s good to get nominated for – and ideally win – an apprenticeship award.
Key points:
- There are numerous benefits to receiving an apprenticeship award nomination, including recognition for hard work, a well-deserved confidence boost, and an enhancement to the CV.
- When applying, there are several well-known awarding bodies worth considering, including government-backed apprenticeship awards in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- You don’t usually have to pay to enter or nominate someone for an award. You will need to fill in an application, though, which should clearly demonstrate why you or your nominee deserves to win.
Why would I apply for an apprenticeship award?
There are many good reasons to apply for an award or to be nominated by a colleague or employer. Whether it’s for performing your job well, or for promoting apprenticeships, an award can confer numerous benefits – and here are just a few.
#1. Recognition for your hard work
First and foremost, an award nomination is recognition of a job well done. While excelling in the workplace is often its own reward, it’s obviously better to be recognised and commended than taken for granted. A nomination shows you’re performing exceptionally, and getting rightly noticed for it.
#2. Boost your confidence
Even being nominated for an award, let alone winning one, can work wonders for people’s morale and self-worth. And this boost can also be channelled back into the workplace, leading on to better opportunities.
#3. Add value to your CV
Understandably, award-winning job applicants are very appealing to prospective employers. If you’ve been awarded for going above and beyond in your role, then this could be just what you need to help an employer choose you over another applicant.
Awards aren’t only for individuals – they also celebrate organisations and employers. And while these may not recognise you personally, it certainly won’t hurt to have an award-winning employer on your CV.
#4. It can open other doors
Winning an award can bring about other benefits you might not expect. The recognition of being an award winner might lead to invitations to speak at industry events, which, in turn, can provide another confidence boost.
#5. You get to attend a ceremony
Let’s not forget the event itself. You may be invited to the awards ceremony, which is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals in your industry. And maybe even have a bit of fun. Additionally, some awards may have regional finals, with the possibility of advancing to a national ceremony. The National Apprenticeship Awards, for instance, build towards a national celebration event in London.
Which are the best-known apprenticeship awards?
If you’re thinking of applying for an award, it’s a good idea to target the most respected. Government-backed apprenticeship awards, for example, carry a certain degree of prestige.
- The National Apprenticeship Awards are run by the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency in England.
- In Wales, the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru are funded and run by the Welsh Government.
- The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards are organised by the Scottish Government’s Skills Development Scotland agency.
Other well-known apprenticeship awards include:
- The AAC Apprenticeship Awards, which, in addition to common award categories, feature an award for each of 15 sectors. These include care services, construction, agriculture, transport and logistics, and digital apprenticeships.
- The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards celebrate talent and diversity in the workplace.
What are the awards categories?
There are usually several categories, both for employers and apprentices. The categories which follow are those used at the National Apprenticeship Awards, which are typical.
Awards categories for employers
There is a selection of Employer of the Year categories, including:
- SME Employer of the Year. This is for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are any organisation with 1 to 249 employees.
- Large Employer of the Year. This is for companies with 250 to 4,999 employees.
- Macro Employer of the Year. Organisations with 5,000 or more employees are eligible for this award.
In addition, there’s an award for Recruitment Excellence, which will be selected from the Employer of the Year entries. The winner will be an organisation that has been recognised for recruiting a diverse, high-quality workforce of apprentices.
Awards categories for apprentices
There is also a selection of Apprentice of the Year categories, including:
- Intermediate Level. This is for apprentices at level 2.
- Advanced Level. For apprentices at level 3.
- Higher or Degree Level. This is for apprentices at level 4 or above.
- Rising Star. This is for apprentices who’ve been nominated by their employer, recognising excellent performance in their career so far – and a high likelihood of progressing further. The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru has a similar award, called Tomorrow’s Talent.
- Apprentice Champion. Nominated by colleagues or contacts, this award recognises those who’ve gone above and beyond in championing apprenticeships.
How are the awards judged?
The awards typically feature panels of judges with specific experience and expertise. The particular criteria the judges are looking for will vary, depending on the prize. But generally speaking, they will be looking for apprentices who can demonstrate not only significant achievements in performance, but also contributions and impact made within the organisation.
In other words, it’s not just about – say – impressive sales figures, but it’s also about being a valued team player.
How do I apply for an award?
Awards organisations often have online forms to fill out when applying. Be sure to check the entry criteria first. Some awards may require nominations from employers, colleagues, or contacts. With other awards, you may be able to nominate yourself.
Certain sections have a word count, so use these wisely. Try to be clear, concise and provide evidence of any particular success stories – providing figures where possible. Have you helped to add to your organisation’s bottom line? Make sure you put it in! You may even be able to upload charts, graphs or tables to help quantify information.
Do I need to pay to enter?
Apprenticeship awards tend to attract high-profile sponsors, which usually means that you won’t have to pay anything – whether that’s the initial entry fee, or attending the actual ceremony.
The main government apprenticeship awards are all free to enter. However, for any apprenticeship awards you may be considering submitting an application or nomination for, always check the terms and conditions beforehand.
