Bradford College Shortlisted for National Apprenticeship Award

Local college recognised among top apprenticeship providers in England

Bradford College has been named a national finalist in the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards, in the category of ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’. The college is one of 94 shortlisted entries from over 650 nominations across the UK.

Details of the awards and judging process

The awards are organised jointly by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), in partnership with City and Guilds. An independent panel of expert judges assessed submissions from employers, training providers, colleges, and universities. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the Apprenticeships and Training Conference, which will take place at the ACC Liverpool on 3 March 2026.

Bradford College will compete against six other providers in the ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ category, which acknowledges outstanding achievement in delivering apprenticeship programmes.

Apprenticeship provision at Bradford College

• The college has over 30 years of experience in apprenticeship delivery.
• It collaborates with more than 700 employers across various sectors.
• The Apprenticeships Team manages over 1,200 apprentices using a flexible roll-on, roll-off curriculum.
• Programmes range from Level 2 to higher Level 6 apprenticeships.
• Specialisms include Professional Services, Construction and Engineering, Dental, Pharmacy, Ophthalmic, Digital, Early Years, and Education and Teaching.
• The provision aligns with the Bradford ‘Skills for Growth’ agenda, aiming to address regional skills gaps by linking education with employer needs.

Performance and recognition

According to Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR) data published in 2025, Bradford College ranked among the top five large further education colleges in England for apprenticeships. It was also the best large college apprenticeship provider in West Yorkshire for the second consecutive year. Achievement rates at the college were 5% higher than other large FE colleges in West Yorkshire and 12.3% above the national average.

Comments from officials

Judith Jackson, Head of Department – Apprenticeships & Business Development at Bradford College, said the shortlist was an important recognition of the college’s apprenticeship team and their work.

Shane Mann, chair of the judging panel and chief executive of EducationScape, noted the high standard of nominations and highlighted how providers are incorporating artificial intelligence to personalise learning and improve curricula.

Next steps

The winners of the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards will be announced on 3 March 2026 at the ACC Liverpool. A parliamentary reception at the House of Lords will also be held in February 2026 as part of National Apprenticeships Week to recognise the finalists.