Apprenticeship Awards

Apprenticeships are a significant 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 achievements 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.

How to Nominate

The B&FC Apprenticeship Awards is our flagship event during National Apprenticeship Week 2027. This will take place on the evening of Thursday 11 February 2027 at Blackpool Football Club.

Nominations are now open across several categories until Friday 6 November 2026, but we encourage people to submit entries as soon as possible.

We need YOUR help in highlighting those amazing apprentices and mentors who deserve recognition.

Apprentice Nominations should focus on those who have demonstrated academic, technical excellence and workplace progress.

Please nominate your best apprentices in the relevant sector - e.g. Construction or Digital - and ensure you consider adult learners as well as young people - for

  • Intermediate Apprentice of the Year
  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year
  • Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year

Note: Apprentices you are nominating for those three categories must have completed their apprenticeship between 1st August 2025 and 31st July 2026. All entries for those categories will also be automatically considered for individual sector awards: e.g. Digital Apprentice of the Year.

There are two further new categories you can submit nominations for:

  • 'Against All Odds' Apprentice of the Year - Recognising apprentices who have undertaken an outstanding personal journey
  • 'Rising Star' Apprentice of the Year - Highlighting apprentices who have shown significant improvement and progress.

Note: Your nominations for these two awards can also be currently in learning.

Employer Nominations are equally important and you can make submissions in the Large/SME categories.

We also encourage you to nominate for:

  • Mentor of the Year - Recognising a person who has encouraged and inspired apprentices throughout their training programme in the workplace.

Before you Start

Please read this section carefully and have all your information to hand before starting your nomination as these cannot be saved and submitted later.

Apprentice nominations should:

  • Describe why the apprentice chose their programme, outline their role and how it contributes to the team or business
  • Detail their key achievements (individually and as part of a team)
  • Give details of the apprentice's personal aspirations and career development plans - and how this aligns with the apprenticeship
  • Explain how their contributions have benefitted their employer/college and the positive impact they have had on its success
  • Consider and explain if and how they have been a role model to others within their organisation or externally
  • Include testimonials from their employer/line manager

Mentor nominations should:

  • Describe the mentor's role in relation to the apprentice(s)
  • Explain how the mentor provides day-to-day support in the apprentice's development, highlighting specific actions they use to support progress
  • Detail how the mentor has gone above and beyond their basic duties
  • Describe the impact of the mentor's support on the apprentice's development and achievements
  • Include testimonials from colleagues, apprentices and training providers to highlight their impact and successes

Employer nominations should:

  • Give an overview of your apprenticeship programme, including the number of apprentices employed, training pathways and how it aligns into the organisation's broader strategy
  • Detail specific benefits the apprenticeships have brought to the business and explain how apprentices have benefitted from the programme
  • Describe what makes this apprenticeship programme stand out
  • Provide a case study of an individual apprentice who has excelled on this programme and how it has supported their growth
  • Outline your future plans for continuation/expansion of the programme
  • Share any internal/external promotion received about the programme.
Nominate now  
Please read the form carefully and have all your information to hand before starting (including up to 500 words detailing the reasons for your nomination).

THANK YOU!