Apprenticeships

Yes, these are available below;

Apprentice categories »
Employer categories »
Young Apprentice categories »

The Apprenticeship Awards are a competitive process and applicants will firstly be judged for the status of winner for the Regional Award, for the given size category.

Winners from the nine Regional Awards, plus the winner of the National Employer Service Workforce Development Awards, will then proceed through to the finalist stage where one winner will be awarded National Employer of the Year for each given size category.

Yes, there are several key dates;

• Friday 26 February 2010 is the closing date for all entries
• March and April 2010 is the regional judging period
• May and June 2010 is the national judging period
• April 2010 through to June 2010 is when Regional Awards ceremonies will be held. Each of their winners will be nominated for the National Award
• Thursday 15 July 2010 is the National Apprenticeship Awards being held at Westminster Plaza, London.

Applications and endorsements (where applicable) to the Apprenticeship Awards are subject to the following terms and conditions.

• The organisers cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage of any entry. All entry forms will be acknowledged.
• All entries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
• The judges’ decisions will be final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into regarding the selection of the winners.
• Unless otherwise stated on this form, any personal data supplied will be retained securely by the National Apprenticeship Service only for as long as necessary for the purposes of the Apprenticeship Awards and then securely deleted.
• Unless otherwise stated on this form, any personal data supplied will be retained securely by the National Apprenticeship Service only for as long as necessary for the purposes of the Apprenticeship Awards and then securely deleted.
• Entries and endorsement (where applicable) details will only be used for the purpose of communicating about Apprenticeships. The information I provide is protected and secure in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1988.
• The Apprenticeship Awards are limited to England. Submissions from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not eligible.
• Entries and endorsements (where applicable) should be submitted via the online entry form’
• Entries and endorsements (where applicable) can be submitted no later than midnight, Friday 26th February 2010.
• Entries and endorsements (where applicable) cannot be amended after the entry deadline has passed.
• Entries and endorsements (where applicable) may submit a piece of work previously entered for the Apprenticeship Awards only if sufficient progress has been made in 2008 or 2009 to merit a new award.
• All finalists and winners will be expected to take part in all publicity concerning the National Apprenticeship Service funded Apprenticeships.
• Should the judges determine an entry submitted for one category is of greater relevance to another category, they may re-categorise that entry.
• Regional winners will be shortlisted for the national level. This shortlist will undergo a second tier national judging process where the national finalists will be selected.
• Entries and endorsements (where applicable) may be edited by the Apprenticeship Awards team to correct any erroneous administrative information.
• All entries and endorsements (where applicable) will be vetted and verified for accuracy. Should it come to light that there are issues, whether ethical or factual, pertaining to any application, the National Apprenticeship Awards team reserve the right to withdraw that application, whether that application has been selected as a finalist or not.
• All entries and endorsements (where applicable) will be read by assessors.
• Feedback can only be provided for shortlisted applications at National and Regional level, if this is available.

Yes. However do remember that you will need permisison as the application requires personal details of apprentices. The answers need to be written in the words of the applicant.

The closing date for entries in Friday 26 February 2010.

Entry forms can be accessed here.

No, once you have registered on the site the application process is simple and straightforward. You can save and return at any stage of the application before finally submitting your form.

No, entries can only be from employers and apprentices who live in England and are undertaking Apprenticeships funded by the National Apprenticeship Service.

There are several ways you can find more information and help. You can find information in our Q&As and catergory webpages, or you can call the helpline on 0800 954 88 96 where our team of experienced operators are on hand Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm to answer your questions.

Alternatively email us at applications@apprenticeshipsawards.org.uk

Case studies of previous winners and finalists are also available on the website to help you understand what makes a winner.

2009 winners and finalists »
2008 winners and finalists »

In the event the applicant does not own a computer or use one at their place of employment we ask that they either access one at their local library or work with their learning provider/employer/endorser to complete the online form.

Every application is read and assessed then entrants will then be notified about the decision concerning their application by the end of March 2010.

The first stage judging panels commence at the end of March through to mid April 2010. Those selected as a finalist will be invited to their regional ceremony, being held between the end of April and early June, when the Regional winner will be announced. Further details will be sent to applicants during April 2010.

The winners of each of these regional panels will then naturally proceed through to the national judging stage where one winner will be awarded the National winner at an Oscar-style celebratory awards ceremony at the Westminster Plaza in London on the evening of the 15th July 2010. Notification about the decisions made at the national stage of the competition will be sent out early June 2010.

In order to avoid confusion and to ensure the process is consistent with all who apply, all applications must be filled in online. As we require that personal information be submitted, along with an agreement to the terms and conditions, our online process is the best means by which we can ensure these details are recorded and protected.

There are five categories within this Award to acknowledge the different approaches taken to Apprenticeships by organisations of differing size.

• Micro Employer of the Year: 1 – 9 employees
• Small Employer of the Year: 10 – 49 employees
• Medium Employer of the Year: 50 – 249 employees
• Large Employer of the Year: 250 – 4,999 employees
• Macro Employer of the Year: 5,000+ employees

The National Employer Service (NES) provides impartial, specialist advice on workforce development (including Apprenticeships, Train to Gain and Skills for Life) to national, multi-site employers with more than 5000 employees, supported by a range of funding options.

Your entry will be judged by a regional panel, based upon your postcode, unless your company is contracted through the National Employer Service.

The Apprenticeship website lists all the types of Apprenticeships available.

You can look at the videos and case studies of previous winners and finalists available on the website to help you understand what makes a winner.

2009 winners and finalists »
2008 winners and finalists »

As a Regional winner you will enjoy:

• Regional Employer of the Year award status in the given company size category
• Recognition for your hard work through regional media activity
• A winners endorsement mark to your showcase your achievement
• Publicity in local and regional media including press, and possibly radio or television

As a National winner you will enjoy:

• National Employer of the Year status in your company size category
• The business kudos associated with winning an important national award
• Publicity in national media including the possibility of appearances on radio and television
• Potential for further recognition as a national ‘role model’ for other employers
• Attendance at an Oscar-style celebratory awards ceremony at the Westminster Plaza in London on the evening of the 15 July 2010.

Absolutely! You never know, you could be a double winner.

Judges are looking for employers who showcase the benefits gained from their ongoing commitment to Apprenticeships. In particular, those who can demonstrate the following:

Commitment:

• To training their workforce through Apprenticeships
• To embedding a training culture in their company
• To the range/number of Apprenticeship frameworks supported
• To future training and Apprenticeship development

Business benefits:

• The training has enabled the business to improve, grow and perhaps even survive
• The benefits are measurable and quantifiable

Best practice and transferability:

• The entrant is an exemplar, and has the potential to act as a role model for other employers

Question 1:
Please describe your organisation’s approach to Apprenticeships and why you would consider yourselves an exemplar.
(Max 350 words)

Question 2:
Please describe the benefits that Apprenticeships have brought to your business.
(Max 350 words)

Question 3:
Please give examples of how your apprentices have benefited from training with your organisation.
(Max 250 words)

Question 4:
Please advise what your plans are for future development and/or growth of your Apprenticeship programme. (Max 250 words)

There are two categories within this Award:

• Apprentice of the Year – for those who are working towards, or completed, NVQ Level 2 qualifications
• Advanced Apprentice of the Year – for those working towards, or completed, NVQ Level 3 or higher qualifications

Apprentices in Year 11 at school should apply for the Young Apprenticeship Award.

As a Regional finalist you will enjoy:

• Regional Apprentice of the Year award status
• Recognition for your hard work through local and regional media including press, and possibly radio or television coverage
• £250 worth of prizes for the regional winner
• and two Highly Commended entrants will also receive £100 worth of prizes each

The National finalists will receive:

• National Apprentice of the Year Award status
• £1000 worth of prizes for the National winner
• £500 for each of the two Highly Commended entrants
• Publicity in national media including the possibility of appearances on radio and television coverage
• Plus invites for you and your family to attend an Oscar-style celebratory awards ceremony at the Westminster Plaza in London on the evening of the 15th July 2010.

If you are currently completing a Higher Apprenticeship please choose the Advanced Apprentice category.

It is strongly recommended that you ask your employer. If this is not applicable, this can be done by the learning provider you work with.

The National Employer Service (NES) provides impartial, specialist advice on workforce development (including Apprenticeships, Train to Gain and Skills for Life) to national, multi-site employers with more than 5000 employees, supported by a range of funding options.

No, the application and endorsement sections can be completed at the same time. Your referee will be able to view your application but cannot edit or amend any part of your form.

Throughout the application process you are provided with tools to enable you to save your application and return to it at a later date. When you are satisfied with your application you will be required to submit your form. Once your application is submitted you will not be able to apply changes to your form.

Your entry will be judged by a regional panel, based upon the postcode of your normal place of work, unless your company is contracted through the National Employer Service.

The Apprenticeship website lists all the types of Apprenticeships available.

Judges are looking for apprentices’ that make a real difference to the organisation they work in by going beyond everyone’s expectations and delivering measurable benefits.

You might have introduced a new idea or initiative that has had a positive impact on the business, for example doing something that has improved procedures and systems, or made an important contribution to the development of a product or special project.

In particular, judges are looking for entries that demonstrate the following;

• Commitment to personal development and progression through learning
• Outstanding contributions to the workplace, in particular areas or projects where expectations have been exceeded
• Examples of achievement and attainment in learning and work
• Inspirational qualities

Absolutely! You never know, you could be a double winner.

You can look at the videos and case studies of previous winners and finalists available on the website to help you understand what makes a winner.

2009 winners and finalists »
2008 winners and finalists »

Question 1:
Explain your role, key duties and responsibilities within the workplace
(Max 100 words)

Question 2:
Please detail your contribution to the business objectives of your employer, the impact this has had on the organisation and the benefits to your employer.
(Max 300 words)

Question 3:
Please detail the ways in which you have benefited from your Apprenticeship, include your personal progression, any positive actions that have been taken and anything that you have personally achieved to get there.
(Max 300 words)

You will only be entered into the assessment stage after we have received your referee’s endorsement. We will notify you by email when your referee has completed the endorsement process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that both the application form is submitted and the referee’s endorsement has been completed and submitted.

You can enter the Awards as long as you were on a National Apprenticeship Service funded Apprenticeship during or after April 2007.

The Apprenticeship website lists all the types of Apprenticeships available.

No, the application and endorsement sections can be completed at the same time. Your referee will be able to view your application but cannot edit or amend any part of your form.

You can look at the videos and case studies of previous winners and finalists available on the website to help you understand what makes a winner.

2009 winners and finalists »
2008 winners and finalists »

As a Regional finalist you will enjoy:

• Regional Young Apprentice of the Year award status
• Recognition for your hard work through local and regional media including press, and possibly radio or television coverage
• £150 worth of prizes for the Regional winner
• and the two Highly Commended entrants will also receive £75 worth of prizes each

The National winner and finalists will receive:

• Young Apprentice of the Year Award status
• £500 worth of prizes for the winner
• £250 for the two Highly Commended entrants
• Alongside the Apprentice and Advanced Apprentices of the Year, you will gain national recognition for all your hard work, with regional and national publicity including the possibility of appearances on radio and television
• Plus invites for you and your family to attend an Oscar-style celebratory awards ceremony at the Westminster Plaza in London on the evening of the 15th July 2009.

You must be in the second year (Year 11) of a Young Apprenticeship programme and working towards one of the following;

• Young Apprenticeship in Art & Design
• Young Apprenticeship in Business Administration
• Young Apprenticeship in Construction
• Young Apprenticeship in Energy (Electricity and Gas)
• Young Apprenticeship in Engineering and Science
• Young Apprenticeship in Food & Drink Manufacturing
• Young Apprenticeship in Hairdressing
• Young Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care
• Young Apprenticeship in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism
• Young Apprenticeship in the Motor Industry
• Young Apprenticeship in Performing Arts
• Young Apprenticeship in Retail
• Young Apprenticeship in Sports, Leadership and Coaching

If this is inapplicable you should enter one of the Apprentice of the Year categories:

• Apprentice of the Year – for those who are working towards, or completed, NVQ Level 2 qualifications
• Advanced Apprentice – for those working towards, or completed, NVQ Level 3 or higher qualifications

Yes, either your parent or guardian need to give their consent as there may be some publicity in the media around your entry.

Question 1:
Describe the work placements you have undertaken during your Young Apprenticeship.
(Max 150 words)

Question 2:
Explain what you learned from the experience with the company or organisation(s) and what you felt you were able to contribute. (Max 300 words)

Question 3:
Detail the ways in which you have benefited from your time on the Young Apprenticeship Programme.
(Max 300 words)

Question 4:
Why do you deserve to be Young Apprentice of the Year.
(Max 200 words)

You will only be entered into the assessment stage after we have received your referee’s endorsement. We will notify you by email when your referee has completed the endorsement process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that both the application form is submitted and the referee’s endorsement has been completed and submitted.

Throughout the application process you are provided with tools to enable you to save your application and return to it at a later date. When you are satisfied with your application you will be required to submit your form. Once your application is submitted you will not be able to apply changes to your form.

Judges are looking for entrants who have made the most of their time on the programme, and who can clearly demonstrate considerable progress personally and in their studies. In particular they would like to see:

• Commitment to your own personal development and progression through learning
• Outstanding contributions during your work placements, in particular, areas or projects where you have exceeded expectations
• Examples of achievement in learning and work placements
• Inspirational qualities

It is strongly recommended that you ask one of your work placement providers. If this is not applicable, this can be done by your school or learning provider.