“Winning the award has been a great opportunity for me to be recognised nationally for all the hard work, commitment, and effort which I have put towards my apprenticeship.

Make sure you enter the Awards - tell everyone about your accomplishments and your successes. I'm delighted I won - and in addition to going on to do my Degree apprenticeship, I've made some superb connections across the industry through my award."

Ali Amin

Shawpak - Winner of the BT Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award

“Last year, we entered the National Apprenticeship Awards and following our success in the East Midlands Regional Heat, we were delighted to be named the SME's Apprentice Employer of the Year at the National Finals in London.

We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme and entered the awards to not only showcase what we do and the amazing people at DBS, but also to highlight the exciting opportunities available to young people within the construction industry as a whole.

Our business is built on apprenticeships, with over 50% of our workforce having started with us as a trainee. So, to have won the award is a fantastic accolade.

Receiving this kind of recognition from our fellow peers, training providers and the Department for Education gives valuable credibility to our programme when promoting our business and recruiting new people.

If you are thinking about entering the awards, then I would suggest just go for it. Be clear and honest with your answers and ensure you use quantifiable evidence.

By entering the awards, you get to shout about your programme, which is great for the team delivering and supporting it within your organisation, as well as the current and future apprentices that you are hoping to attract. ”

Mark Townsend

Managing Director, Derry Building Services - Winner of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT SME of the Year Award

"We have transformed our apprenticeship offer at the BBC and increased our numbers dramatically over the last couple of years. It’s important for us to reflect the audience we are serving. Apprenticeships help us do that and we work very hard to attract diverse candidates.

Winning two National Apprenticeship Awards was a fantastic accolade for the BBC. It gave us national recognition for all the hard work and commitment the BBC has to apprenticeships.

If you are in any doubt whether you should apply for an award, I would recommend you give it a go. If you win, it will positively impact your team and give you the credit you deserve.”

Sarah Moors

BBC, Head of Early Careers and Staff Apprenticeships

“These awards showcase the best employers, apprentices, and T Level students all around the country, and are the best advert for what apprenticeships and T Levels can bring. I would like to thank everyone for your continued support and for showcasing the incredible wealth of skills talent that we have across the country. Good luck to all of the applicants.”

Kate Ridley-Moy

Director, Apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps

Winning the Macro Employer award for the second time in four years is a fantastic achievement for Mitchells and Butlers. It not only gives us national recognition for all the hard work and commitment we put into our apprenticeship provision, it also supports us in attracting the next generation of hospitality professionals. Finally, and of significant importance to us, it shines a light on the multitude of rewarding career opportunities open to people of all ages and experience via apprenticeships within our sector.

I would actively encourage all employers engaged in apprenticeships to enter in 2024, this is your opportunity to showcase and celebrate all the positive impacts apprenticeships have on your people, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by submitting an application.

Paul Capper

Mitchells and Butlers - Winner of the Teesside University Macro Employer of the Year Award