Awards Q and A

This document provides answers to some of the frequently asked questionsabout the National Apprenticeship Awards.

If you would like more information or help with your entry, you can emailus at entries@appawards.co.uk or call the helpline on 0800 954 88 96.

Awards Q and A

Questions and Answers

Can I enter the Apprenticeship Awards if Ilive outside of England?Entries will only be accepted from employers andapprentices, based in England with SASEcompliant apprenticeships (Specification ofApprenticeship Standards for England) or the newApprenticeship Standards.

What is the closing date for entries?You must ensure your application is submitted by5:00pm on Friday 25 September 2020. We willemail you a confirmation of receipt. If yourapplication requires a reference (Apprenticecategory only) or apprentice declaration (RisingStar category only) this must also be complete by5:00pm on Friday 25 September 2020.

How does the Awards process work?The National Apprenticeship Awards are acompetitive process and progression is madethrough several stages.

– All applications are read, sifted and moderatedto find the highest scoring category entrants ineach region.

– Regional finalists will be publicly announced.

– The regional winners automatically progress tothe national judging stage and will be invited tothe final ceremony.

– The national judging panel will select from thecountry’s elite one national winner and twohighly commended in each category.

– The National Apprenticeship Award winners willbe announced at a national celebration event.

How do I know that my application has beenaccepted?You will only be entered into the NationalApprenticeship Awards once your application isfully complete and submitted. We will email youconfirmation upon receipt. It is your responsibilityto ensure that the application is completed andthat the submit button has been pressed on theonline application form.

The Apprentice of the Year entries will only beaccepted once your referee has submitted theirsections of the application. The Rising Starapplication will only be accepted once theapprentice declaration has been completed.Entrants will be emailed to notify them that theirapplication has been accepted.

Can I attach any supporting documents tomy application?Applications allow you to attach photos andtables to help evidence the claims made in yourresponses. Use a chart, table or graph todemonstrate metrics such as statistics, quantifiableinformation and comparative data. Remember toprovide a base line to show progression.

Text contained in charts, tables or graphs shouldbe counted towards the final word count. If yoursupporting document is over the word count, itwill be removed from your entry. Please make surethat all charts are clear and in black and white, asyour entry will be photocopied for the judges.

Do not include hyperlinks to websites, videos orother information in any part of your entry.

The upload facility should not be utilised for itemssuch as additional references, certificates,prospectus documents or training materials.

Awards Q and A

Can I enter the Apprenticeship Awards onbehalf of the entrant?Yes, however remember that you will need theirpermission as the application requires the entrant’spersonal details. The answers need to be writtenin the words of the entrant.

What if the entrant does not have access to acomputer at work or at home?If the entrant does not own a computer or useone at their place of work, we ask that they workwith their learning provider or employer to helpthem complete the online form.

Do I have to complete the application all inone go?No, once you have registered, the applicationprocess is simple and straightforward. You cansave and return to your application at any stagebefore finally submitting your form.

Does a word count apply to the questions?Yes, each question has a maximum number ofwords. You should plan your response andprovide as much evidence as possible to supportthe claims made within your answers. Use plainEnglish and avoid jargon to help the judgesunderstand your responses.

Do I have to apply online?Yes, to ensure the process is consistent and fair, allapplications must be filled in online. Personalinformation is required and an online process isthe best means by which we can ensure yourdetails are protected.

Are there any sponsorship opportunities forthe Awards?There are a number of different sponsorshipopportunities available for the Awards.

Please contact the Awards team onapprenticeship.awards@education.gov.ukfor more information.

What if I want to make changes to myapplication?You can edit your application at any time before ithas been fully submitted. After this, you will notbe able to make any changes.

Awards Q and A

Employer of the Year categories

Can I submit more than one application?Only one Employer of the Year entry is allowedper employer. Don’t forget to enter yourexceptional apprentices too! The Rising Star,Apprentice of the Year and Champion of the Yearcategories are looking to award those who candemonstrate outstanding contribution andcommitment to their employer and progression intheir careers.

How do I know where my application will bejudged?Your entry will be judged by a panel, based on thepostcode of your organisation. Only one entry isallowed per employer. If you are a multi-sitedorganisation, please enter the postcode for theregion you would like your entry to be judged in –this is usually the location of your Head Office orthe site where the majority of the apprenticeshiptraining takes place.

What are judges looking for?Judges are looking for proactive employers whocan demonstrate how they have delivered anexemplary apprenticeship programme that hasbenefited their organisation and individualapprentices.

Make your application stand out by includingessential evidence such as quotes from clients andapprentices, statistics, comparative data andquantifiable information.

What questions are on the application?To see the questions, please view the relevantplanning guidance documents on the awardsapplication site.

What are the rewards?Employers who are recognised through theNational Apprenticeship Awards receive a range ofbenefits:

– A top accolade for all of their hard work andcommitment to apprenticeships

– Public recognition through national, regionaland sector media channels

– National winners will be announced at anational celebration event

– Enhanced reputation plus a motivatedworkforce and increased staff morale

– Speaking opportunities at NationalApprenticeship Service events

Can I enter as a subsidiary company?A subsidiary company may apply on behalf of theparent group, but this then excludes the parentgroup from applying. More than one subsidiary ofthe parent may apply for the awards, as long asthe application references only the apprenticeshipsthat are delivered wholly by that subsidiary. Anyrecognition will go to the subsidiary and not theparent group.

Which category should I enter?The Employer of the Year category is open toemployers from all sectors and celebratesemployers who can showcase their commitment,contribution and the success that apprenticeshipshave brought to their organisation.

There are three employer categories toacknowledge organisations of different sizes:

– SME Employer of the Year: 1 – 249 employees

– Large Employer of the Year: 250 – 4,999employees

– Macro Employer of the Year: 5,000+ employees

Awards Q and A

Apprentice of the Year categories

What are the judges looking for?Judges are looking for apprentices who candemonstrate their achievements, contribution andthe impact they have made within theorganisation they work. Include evidence to makeyour application standout, such as quotes fromclients, staff and fellow apprentices, statistics,comparative data and performance reviews.

Do I still have to be doing myapprenticeship?To enter the Apprentice of the Year category youmust either be currently undertaking the level ofqualification applicable to your chosen category orhave completed that level within the last 12months, i.e. since 1 September 2019.

Stronger entrants have usually completed morethan 50% of their current apprenticeship and as aresult they are able to provide more evidence intheir answers.

If you completed your apprenticeship over 12months ago you should consider entering theApprenticeship Champion of the Year category,which is open to individuals who go above andbeyond to champion apprenticeships. You mayalso be eligible for the new Rising Star Award.

Which category should I enter?The three apprentice categories are looking torecognise those who are working towards or haverecently completed their apprenticeship.

There are three Apprentice of the Year categories:

– Intermediate Apprentice of the Year – for thosewho are working towards, or completed, NVQLevel 2 qualifications

– Advanced Apprentice of the Year – for thoseworking towards, or completed, NVQ Level 3

– Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year – forthose working towards, or completed, NVQLevel 4 or higher qualifications

Do I have to complete my application beforeI send it to my referee?No, but please note that your application will onlybe accepted if both sections of the application arecomplete. It is your responsibility to ensure that itis complete and submitted.

Remember to allow your referee sufficient time tofill in their section before the deadline – 5:00pm,25 September 2020. We will notify you by emailwhen your referee has completed their section.

What questions are on the application?To see the questions, please view the relevantplanning guidance documents on the awardsapplication site.

What are the rewards?Apprentices who are recognised at the NationalApprenticeship Awards will receive the followingbenefits:

– A top accolade for all the hard work you haveput into your apprenticeship

– Public recognition through national, regionaland sector media channels

– National winners will be announced at anational celebration event

– The honour of being named one of the bestapprentices in England and an exemplar foryour outstanding achievements

– Speaking opportunities at NationalApprenticeship Service events

Awards Q and A

Apprenticeship Champion of the Year Category

What is Apprenticeship Champion of theYear category?The Apprenticeship Champion of the Year is opento individuals who go above and beyond tochampion apprenticeships.

If you are still in the process of completing anapprenticeship, or completed in the last 12months, you should apply in the Apprentice of theYear category.

The application process for ApprenticeshipChampion of the Year has changed for 2020, and the initial nomination will now come from a colleague or contact who recognises their‘champion’ credentials. The nominator will berequired to write a short reference, explaining whythey think the individual is an ‘ApprenticeshipChampion’.

Once the nomination has been submitted thenominee will receive an email to alert them, andthey will then complete the application form.

What questions are on the application?To see the questions, please view the relevantplanning guidance documents on the awardsapplication site.

Who can act as my referee?As the application process now starts with anomination, we no longer require a reference forthis category.

What are the rewards?If you are recognised in the ApprenticeshipChampion of the Year category, you will receivethe following benefits:

– A top accolade for your personal achievementsand contribution to apprenticeships

– The national winner will be announced at anational celebration event

– Public recognition for your commitment toapprenticeships including press coverage

What are the judges looking for?Judges are looking for strong advocates ofapprenticeships who showcase how theyproactively go beyond their normal duties topromote apprenticeships as an excellent careerroute.

Awards Q and A

Rising Star Category

What are the judges looking for?The Rising Star Award seeks to recogniseapprentices that have made impressive progress intheir career to date and have the potential to goeven further.

Who can enter the Rising Star category? Apprentices should be nominated for this awardby their employer.

To be eligible for the Rising Star Award, theapprentice being nominated must either:

– Be currently undertaking an apprenticeship atany level

– Have completed their apprenticeship within thelast two years (since 1 September 2018)

If the apprentice completed their apprenticeshipmore than two years ago, they should considerentering the Apprenticeship Champion of theYear category. This category is open to individualswho go above and beyond to championapprenticeships.

Can an employer nominate more than oneapprentice?Yes. An employer may nominate more than oneapprentice for the Rising Star Award. A separateapplication must be completed for eachapprentice.

What are the rewards?If you are recognised in the Rising Star category,you will receive the following benefits:

– A top accolade for your achievements as anapprentice

– The national winner will be announced at anational celebration event

– The honour of being named as a ‘one to watch’apprentice in England and an exemplar for youroutstanding achievements

– Public recognition for your commitment toapprenticeships including press coverage

Do I have to complete the application beforemy apprentice fills in their declaration?You do not have to wait until all sections arecomplete before requesting your nominatedapprentice completes their declaration. Pleasenote that your apprentice’s email address must bedifferent to the one you used to register with.

Remember to give them sufficient time tocomplete before the deadline. You will receive anautomatic email advising you when the apprenticehas completed this section and the entry has beenfinally submitted.