Apprentices and apprentice providers from around the UK were honoured at a recent award ceremony.
The 19th National Apprenticeship Awards took place in London last Wednesday (November 30th) to honour those who worked hard throughout their programme, as well as the employers that demonstrated best practice and inspired other organisations to offer schemes.
Ministers for skills, apprenticeships and higher education Robert Halfon said: “Apprenticeships are an essential rung on the ladder of opportunity, offering people of all ages and backgrounds, the chance to earn while they learn the skills they need to build successful careers while delivering the workforce employers need to flourish.”
He acknowledged the winners are “leading the way” when it comes to UK apprenticeship schemes, showing others how beneficial, rewarding, and useful they can be.
This year’s Special Recognition Award for given to Umayr Tanveer, a software engineering apprentice at BT, for promoting apprenticeship schemes to those from BAME and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Thomas Bartlett was given the Rising Star Award, having completed a senior leader apprenticeship with an integrated master’s degree and worked his way to chief operating officer in just five years.
Among the employers that received accolades were KMF Group Limited for the Large Employer of the Year, the BBC for Macro Employer of the Year, and Troup Bywaters & Anders for Small Employer of the Year.
Apprenticeships have become more popular recently, with starts having increased by 8.6 per cent to 349,190 from 2020/21 to 2021/22 alone.
Take a look at apprenticeship training providers here to find the right programme for you.