Bradford College, in partnership with BBC Radio Leeds, is today (Wednesday, 17 December) launching ‘Bradford 20 Under 25’ – a competition to find the brightest young talent in the region.
The ‘20 Under 25’ campaign will search for the 20 young trailblazers in Bradford aged 16-25 who are rising stars in any field. Nominations can be made for exceptionally talented individuals across any specialism or industry.
The competition aims to celebrate changemakers in Bradford who are having a significant impact at a young age and leading innovation across sectors as diverse as tech and media to sport, sustainability, and even fundraising.
A panel of esteemed judges will then decide the top 20 winners, each of whom will receive a package of Bradford College and BBC Radio Leeds mentoring and support. Winners will also benefit from a broad network of business connections, and an online profile about their work.
Sarah Towan, Bradford College Vice Principal – Recruitment & Communication, said:
“Every day, we work with talented young people who have the potential to do great things. However, starting out in any industry is challenging – whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, singer, or charity campaigner. That’s why Bradford College is launching the ‘20 under 25’ competition.
“We want to support the next generation of young people in their mission, passion, or talent, and champion the influencers and leaders of tomorrow. So, if you’re already making great waves but need a little extra support to reach your full potential, we want to hear from you!”
BBC Radio Leeds Executive Editor, Simon Monk, added:
“I’m so delighted that Bradford College has chosen us to partner with them on this brilliant initiative to help find the 20 people that are going to change the world from right here in the Bradford district.
“It’s a fantastic piece of legacy that can go on year after year, but it’s only right that it was born in the year Bradford was the UK City of Culture. 2025 has been so good, with many, many highlights for the city, the college, and for us at BBC Radio Leeds, and this is a lovely way to make sure Bradford remains front and centre for the future.”
The competition will officially open for nominations on 9 February and close on 10 April 2026.
Nominations can be made by individuals themselves or by others who know a rising star that deserves recognition. Eligible nominees must:
Nominations can be submitted via the Bradford College competition webpage when it goes live on 9 February. Entries may be submitted by uploading a one-minute video or by completing the online form, explaining in fewer than 250 words why the nominee deserves recognition. Supporting evidence of their work or achievements to date can also be uploaded.
Bradford College’s vision is to create a better future for all through education and training, encompassed with our mission to work together to “transform lives”.
We are the largest regional leader in education and training, recruiting over 4,000 16-18 students, over 3,500 adult learners and over 1,000 technical and degree-level students across diverse age groups and needs. Our dedicated Apprenticeship department partners with industries for placements, expertise, and careers.
The College is OFSTED Good with Outstanding features and achieved a ‘Silver’ quality rating in September 2023 from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), a national excellence scheme managed by the Office for Students (OfS) for its undergraduate provision. Bradford College also won a national Gold AoC Beacon Award in 2025, showcasing best practice and innovation in further education.
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