NATIONAL SKILLS & TRAINING AWARDS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN LIVERPOOL CITY REGION

Regional businesses and organisations committed to skills development have an unmissable opportunity to take centre stage by entering the national Apprenticeship and Training Awards (ATAs) 2025. They will take place in the Liverpool City Region for the first time in March 2025! 

Nineteen different categories will highlight the achievements of businesses and organisations that excel in apprenticeships and training. For 2025, the awards have been broadened to include wider training initiatives; new categories have sprung up to seek out the best in sustainability, diversity, and innovation.

The Liverpool City Region is home to many trailblazing organisations when it comes to skills development. These pioneers are now invited to apply for deserving recognition by submitting an entry before the deadline of 14 November.

Let’s show the nation the quality of skills, business-backed training, and the commitment to quality careers in our region. There’s no better time, with the awards ceremony taking place at the Arena & Convention Centre on the waterfront in Liverpool.

A Stage for Excellence

LCR Be More is championing the awards as a vehicle to demonstrate how the region is helping shape the workforce of the future.

Find Your Niche

Entering the awards opens up the opportunity for organisations to step forward as leading the way in the training and skills sector. Follow in the footsteps of Liverpool City Region-based apprenticeship provider TRS who won the national Transport and Logistics Apprenticeship Provider 2024 at this year’s ceremony in Birmingham. [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/news/trs-wins-prestigious-aac-transport-logistics-apprenticeship-provider-of-the-year-award/]

There are 19 different awards available to enter. They fall into three broad categories: awards open to employers, awards open to training providers, and awards that both can enter. We’ve given just a taster of these below.

Categories that both employers and training providers can enter include:

• Sustainability in training and apprenticeships
• Outstanding apprenticeship programme
• Best new apprenticeship programme

Examples of awards open to employers only:

• Employer commitment to apprenticeships and training
• SME employer or the year
• Large employer of the year

The awards designed for training providers include:

• Apprenticeship provider of the year
• Specialist training provider of the year
• Best workplace readiness scheme

These and other categories cover diverse aspects of training and apprenticeships. The full list of categories can be explored here.

Be Bold!

The organisers are encouraging you to take a bold stance with your entry. They say:

‘Understanding exactly what the judges are looking for will give your entry the edge it needs. Be imaginative and bold in explaining what sets your provision and activity apart—whether it’s innovative approaches, outstanding outcomes, or your impact on learners and industry.’

Grab Your Glad Rags

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner set to take place during the ATA conference in Liverpool on 10-11 March 2025.

The event has been relocated to Liverpool after nine years at the ICC in Birmingham. The ACC next to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock will deliver more space, state-of-the-art facilities, and an improved attendee experience.

All that remains is for local employers and training providers to embrace the opportunity. To ensure representation, submit your application [https://apprenticeshipandtrainingawards.com/award-categories/] before the deadline on 14 November 2025.

The conference and awards dinner is spearheaded by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) and FE Week, in partnership with City & Guilds.