Apprenticeship Awards
Every year, during National Apprenticeship Week, the Apprenticeship Services Unit hosts our annual awards evening to celebrate the exceptional work of our apprentices, employers and programme teams.
This year, our Apprenticeship Awards will take place at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester on Thursday 12 February 2026. Shortlisted award nominees in selected categories will be invited to attend so please hold this date in your diary.
Nominations are now open. Explore the 14 award categories below. If you would like to nominate an apprentice, alumni, employer or University staff member, submit the category form before midnight on Sunday 30 November 2025. You may submit nominations in more than one category and more than one nomination per category, but a new form must be completed for each submission.
- If you are an apprentice, you may submit nominations in relevant employer and university staff categories.
- If you are an employer, you may submit nominations in relevant apprentice and alumni, employer and university staff categories.
- If you are university staff, you may submit nominations in relevant apprentice and alumni, employer and university staff categories.
Shortlisted nominees will be announced in mid December.
Who will you nominate?
Construction and Surveying Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in construction or surveying. Programmes include Chartered Surveyor - all pathways, Construction Site Supervisor and Construction Project Management.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their studies and role in the built environment sector.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Engineering Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in Civil Engineering.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their studies and role in the built environment sector.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Biomedical Science Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals currently undertaking a Biomedical Science Apprenticeship within the School of Science, Engineering and Environment.
Nominated apprentices should demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to both their academic studies and their practical work within the laboratory or healthcare setting.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff
Policing Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking the Police Constable degree apprenticeship.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their role in making a positive difference to their local community.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Allied Health Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in allied health. Programmes include Public Health Practitioner, Healthcare Science Practitioner, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their studies and role in improving the health and wellbeing of those they support.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Nursing Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in nursing. Programmes include Nursing Associate, Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their studies and role in providing exceptional patient care as part of their healthcare team.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Business Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in the Salford Business School. Programmes include Associate Project Manager and Senior Leader.
Nominated individuals must show a great level of enthusiasm and commitment to their studies and role within their organisation.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Alumni Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding individuals who have completed their apprenticeship.
Nominated individuals must show a demonstrable commitment to progression in their career and positive impact in their role since completing their apprenticeship.
Open to nominations from: employers and university staff.
Apprentice Mentor / Line Manager of the Year
This category celebrates individuals who have provided invaluable support to apprentices as a Line Manager or mentor in the workplace.
Whether the nominee has supported an apprentice through challenges or provided additional learning opportunities, they must have made a significant impact on the apprentice's experience and ability to succeed.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
SME Apprentice Employer of the Year
This category celebrates small or medium-sized employers that have demonstrated outstanding dedication to developing apprentices within their organisation.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
Large Employer of the Year
This category celebrates large employers that have demonstrated outstanding dedication to developing apprentices within their organisation.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
Learning and Development Coach/support colleague of the Year
This category celebrates individuals who have provided invaluable guidance to apprentices as a Learning and Development Coach or those who have given their support to an apprentice.
Nominated individuals must show a real passion for helping apprentices navigate their working and learning journey and a commitment to ensuring all apprentices reach their potential.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
Apprenticeship Programme Lead of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding Programme Leads who, from planning to delivery, ensure apprentices receive the support they need to fulfill their potential.
Nominated individuals must show a passion and commitment in their role to enable apprentices to succeed.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
Apprenticeship Programme Team of the Year
This category celebrates outstanding Programme Teams who, from planning to delivery, ensure apprentices receive the support they need to fulfill their potential.
Nominated teams must show a passion and commitment in their role to enable apprentices to succeed.
Open to nominations from: apprentices, employers and university staff.
Good luck to all our nominees
Your nominations will be assessed by our panel of judges and the final shortlist will be released in December 2025. If you have any questions, please contact our team by emailing apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk.
In the meantime, relive this year's Apprenticeship Awards below.