All the categories for the Edinburgh Apprenticeship Awards

SME Apprentice Employer of the Year

Open to a business with (1-249) employees offering apprenticeships. Entries have to provide evidence of the benefits the apprenticeships have brought to the organisation as well as how the apprentices benefit from training.

Large Business Apprentice Employer

Open to a business with more than 250 employees offering apprenticeships. Entrants need to show evidence of the benefits of the apprenticeships, detail what makes their apprenticeship programme(s) better than the rest and plans for the future of the apprenticeship programme(s).

Diversity and inclusion programme

This award recognises excellent commitment an employee has made to actively develop an inclusive workplace for apprenticeships – where fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy are at the forefront of their values and promoted as part of their everyday goals and behaviour.

Training provider/programme of the year

The winner can be a college, organisation or business that provides apprenticeship training courses. Entries need to show how the organisation effectively works with a range of employers to offer quality training courses, demonstrate ways that apprentices can gain qualifications and develop skills through the schemes offered.

Rising Star

The Rising Star Award seeks to recognise apprentices that have made impressive progress in their career to date and have the potential to go even further.

To be eligible, the apprentice being nominated must either be on an apprenticeship scheme as of June 2019 at any level or have completed their apprenticeship within the past two years since June 2018.

Mentor of the Year

This category is for an individual who has helped and inspired apprentices in the first steps in their careers. Mentors can be the line manager or someone within the organisation that has contributed to the individual’s development. Entries should show how mentors will have had a positive impact on the personal and professional development of the apprentice.

Modern Apprentice of the Year

Modern apprenticeships are designed to learn on the job while gaining a qualification accredited by the SQA. There is a focus on imparting key employability skills, as well as more specific training for a job within a company.

Graduate Apprentice of the Year

Graduate apprenticeships are offered by universities and colleges. Apprentices are employed throughout the programme, spending part of their time at studying and the rest with their employer. Entrants need to provide evidence of qualifications gained and/or aiming towards and demonstrate commitment to working with an employer while studying.

Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year

Judges look at the contribution the individual has made throughout their apprenticeship showing their commitment to the role. Entries need to show evidence of outstanding achievement through the quality of work carried out.

Engineering/Manufacturing and Construction Apprentice

Open to apprentices working within the engineering, manufacturing or construction sector. Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding achievement and the contribution that the individual has made throughout their apprenticeship showing their commitment and attitude to the role.

Edinburgh Apprentice of the Year

This apprentice can be selected from all entries across all categories or be nominated solely for this category.

Judges will be looking for the most exceptional contribution the individual has made throughout their apprenticeship and why they should be considered for the overall award.