Excellence in Skills & Workforce Capability

This award recognises organisations that demonstrate a strategic and sustained commitment to developing skills, employability and workforce capability, particularly through graduate, apprenticeship and entry-level pathways. It celebrates employers that invest in accessible, high-quality skills development to attract, develop and retain talent, ensuring their workforce is equipped to meet current and future business needs.

Entry criteria:

• A clear strategy for developing skills and workforce capability, aligned to wider business objectives.
• Effective skills development pathways such as apprenticeships, graduate programmes, earn-while-you-learn initiatives, accredited training, or structured upskilling and reskilling.
• Strong employer engagement and inclusive approaches that support access and progression regardless of background or entry route.
• Evidence of measurable impact, such as improved workforce capability, progression outcomes, retention, productivity or business performance.
• A commitment to long-term workforce sustainability and creating meaningful career opportunities.