Apprenticeship Awards

Apprenticeships are a huge part of Blackpool and The Fylde College’s technical and professional provision, allowing people to develop their career, while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

For employers, apprenticeships provide a committed and highly skilled workforce.

Our Apprenticeship Awards recognise the outstanding achievement of apprentices and employers alike as well as providing an excellent opportunity to celebrate their very real contribution to the nation’s upskilling and economic prosperity.

About the ceremony

The Apprenticeship Awards will be held virtually at 4pm on Monday 10th February 2025, , during the inspiring National Apprenticeship Week. This annual celebration is a chance to recognise the outstanding achievements of our apprentices and the employers who support them.

The event will commence with an introduction from our Chief Executive, Alun Francis, setting the tone for an unforgettable celebration of talent, collaboration, and success.

Let’s come together to celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in Apprenticeships and make this a National Apprenticeship Week to remember!

The Awards

We will be presenting awards across the following 8 categories:

1. Intermediate Apprentice of the Year    Nominate now   

2. Advanced Apprentice of the Year    Nominate now   

3. Higher Apprentice of the Year    Nominate now   

4. Degree Apprentice of the Year    Nominate now   

These Awards celebrate apprentices' outstanding contributions to their workplace and exceptional progress in both their skills development and studies.


The nomination criteria:

  • Must have completed their apprenticeship between 1st August 2023 and 31st July 2024
  • Examples of outstanding contributions that the apprentice has made to their employer
  • Commitment by the apprentice to their own personal development and progression
  • A clear association between knowledge and skills development and impact on the business
  • Demonstration of independent and/or innovative learning

5. Rising Star Award    Nominate now   

The Rising Star Award is given to a current apprentice who is clearly demonstrating commitment, dedication and producing good work that shows potential.


The nomination criteria:

  • Been identified as a Rising Star through appraisal or learner reviews
  • Demonstration and examples of hard work, dedication and commitment
  • A clear development of knowledge and understanding throughout the start of their apprenticeship

6. Best Innovation/Impact    Nominate now   

The Best Innovation/Impact Award recognises an apprentice's unique contribution to the workplace and the ensuing positive impact upon the business.


The nomination criteria:

  • Must have completed their apprenticeship between 1st August 2023 and 31st July 2024
  • The process that delivered the innovation/impact (including how the apprentice contributed, the knowledge and skills developed and how the innovation met an identified need)
  • Analysis of the impact upon the business

7. Employer of the Year – SME organisation    Nominate now   

8. Employer of the Year - Large organisation    Nominate now   

The Awards are given to organisations that have a strong commitment to employing, nurturing and supporting apprentices and currently have an apprentice or apprentices working for them.


The nomination criteria:

  • Positive contribution to the apprentice experience
  • Examples of best practice and support in place to help the development of apprentices within the workplace
  • A clear association between knowledge and skills development and impact for the business
  • Examples of engagement that clearly identify the employer's commitment

Nominations


  • Who can nominate?
    Employers are eligible to nominate an apprentice in categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

    In order to be nominated, apprentices must have completed their apprenticeship between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024. For the Rising Star award, apprentices must have completed their course.

    Your apprentice(s) are also eligible to nominate their employer in categories 7 and 8.


  • How to make a nomination

    Nominate      by 20th December 2024.

    Alternatively, you can wait for your B&FC Skills Coach to get in touch to go through the process with you.

How will I attend the event?


As the event approaches, we will send you your Apprenticeship Awards invitation, which will contain a link to the event that you can simply click onto to join on the day.

Key dates


  • Friday 20th December 2024 : Closing date for receipt of nominations from apprentices and employers
  • w/c Monday 13th January 2025 : Invitations sent out to attendees
  • Monday 10th February 2025 : Virtual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony – join from 4pm

Contact us

For information and assistance relating to any aspect of the Awards, please contact:
B&FC for Business at Blackpool and The Fylde College, business@blackpool.ac.uk
Or call T 01253 504 343.