Bradford College Shortlisted as ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’

Judges have unveiled that Bradford College is a national finalist in the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards.

The College is one of 94 entries on the shortlist for the prestigious annual education awards. An independent panel of expert judges assessed over 650 nominations in total, from employers, training providers, colleges and universities.

Winners will be announced at the Apprenticeships and Training Conference gala dinner and awards evening at the ACC Liverpool on 3 March, hosted by comedian Sara Pascoe.

Six other providers will go head-to-head against Bradford College in the ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ category, including private training providers and universities. The award celebrates a provider that specialises in delivering apprenticeships and has achieved outstanding results.

Bradford College has over 30 years of experience in delivering apprenticeships and works closely with more than 700 employers. Staffed by highly qualified industry specialists, the Apprenticeships Team manages more than 1,200 apprentices using a roll-on, roll-off curriculum that allows apprentices to begin at any time.

The College has one of the largest apprenticeship provisions in the region with specialisms carefully aligned to the Bradford ‘Skills for Growth’ agenda – a strategy to create a more skilled workforce by better linking education to employer needs.

In line with wider regional skills gaps, the College offers Level 2 apprenticeships through to higher Level 6 apprenticeships across Professional Services, Construction and Engineering, Dental, Pharmacy, Ophthalmic, Digital, Early Years, and Education and Teaching.

Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR) data published in 2025 showed Bradford College to be one of England’s top five large FE colleges for apprenticeships and the best large college apprenticeship provider in West Yorkshire for a second year. Achievement rates were 5% higher than all other large FE colleges in West Yorkshire and +12.3% above the national rate.

Run jointly by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), and delivered in partnership with City and Guilds, the ninth annual awards will celebrate best-in-class training, outstanding outreach, and exceptional employer partnerships.

A parliamentary reception will take place at the House of Lords as part of National Apprenticeships Week in February 2026 to recognise this cohort of award finalists.

Judith Jackson, Bradford College Head of Department – Apprenticeships & Business Development, said:

“We’re over the moon to be acknowledged as one of the best apprenticeship providers in the country against some exceptional peers. We passionately believe that apprenticeships can be truly transformative, so getting shortlisted as a finalist in these coveted awards is an incredible achievement for Bradford College and recognition of our outstanding Apprenticeship Team.”

Shane Mann, chair of ATA judging panel and chief executive of FE Week’s publisher EducationScape, added:

“There were some lively debates among the judges, which speaks to the high standard of nominations from a sector that is constantly innovating and raising the bar. It was fascinating to see how training providers and employers are embedding AI into their programmes to personalise learning and enhance the curriculum. Congratulations to all finalists.”