Employer categories for the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017
Updated 28 March 2017
Applies to England
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The National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 application site contains guidance documents to help you complete your application, and details of free to attend webinars which are taking place in April.
1. Which category should I enter?
Open to employers from all sectors, this category celebrates employers who can showcase their commitment, contribution and the success that apprenticeships have brought to their organisation.
There are 6 employer categories to acknowledge the different approaches taken to apprenticeships by organisations of differing size and length of involvement.
- small employer of the year - 1 to 24 employees
- medium employer of the year - 25 to 249 employees
- large employer of the year - 250 to 4,999 employees
- macro employer of the year - 5,000+ employees
- newcomer SME of the year - 1 to 249 employees
- newcomer large employer of the year to 250+ employees
Newcomer categories are only open to organisations new to apprenticeships, within the first 2 years (since May 2015) or restarting since a significant lapse of 5 years or more.
The very best employer category entries will also feature in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2017.
If you have any queries regarding the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 please email ApprenticeshipAwards@sfa.bis.gov.uk.
2. What are judges looking for?
The National Apprenticeship Awards received over 1,200 applications last year. So you need to make sure your application stands out from the rest.
Judges are looking for exemplar employers who showcase the benefits gained from their ongoing commitment and showcase the benefits gained by developing their workforce through apprenticeships.
They will be using the following criteria to score your application:
- commitment: demonstrates that apprenticeships are fully integrated within the organisation with a clear future development programme
- contribution: showcases how their apprenticeships has enabled the business to grow and exceeded expectations for both the employer and the apprentices
- success: an exemplar representing outstanding levels of achievement as well as inspirational qualities
Remember that if you succeed at the regional stage your application will automatically proceed through to the national judging stage where you will be competing with the country’s elite.
3. What are the rewards?
As a National Apprenticeship Employer of the Year finalist you would enjoy:
- a top accolade for all the hard work you put into excelling and playing a leading part in putting apprenticeships at the heart of your organisation whilst encouraging ambition and enterprise
- public recognition for your commitment through national, regional and sector media channels, including the possibility of radio and television coverage
- national winners will be announced at a national celebration event
- enhanced reputation plus a motivated workforce and increased staff morale
- publicity as a national exemplar to other employers
- the honour of potentially being named as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in England