This is the year to apply for the Princess Royal Training Awards as they celebrate a decade of royally recognising training excellence.  

This milestone marks ten years of honouring organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning initiatives.

From humble beginnings to global recognition: A decade of growth

Launched in 2016, the Princess Royal Training Awards were established in collaboration with employers, learning and development experts, and assessors to showcase outstanding organisations dedicated to investing in their people. HRH The Princess Royal, President of the City & Guilds Group, and a passionate advocate for skills development, endorsed the Awards and has played a central role in the Awards ever since. 

Over the years, the Awards have royally recognised a diverse range of organisations from the UK and Ireland, of all sizes, across various industries. Applications have varied in their focus, including leadership development, cultural transformation, talent pipeline upskilling, or apprenticeships.  As the Awards’ reputation as a gold standard has grown, more and more organisations are striving to earn this sought-after distinction. As one previous recipient stated:  

“It immediately attracted interest from overseas. It is a mark of excellence, and I think people recognise that both in the UK and internationally.”

The number of applications and recipients has risen significantly since the Awards’ inception, with 52 organisations achieving the Award in 2024.

The increasing popularity of the Awards can be attributed to an array of factors: Royal patronage, completely free entry, a prestigious ceremony, access to a powerful alumni network, and unparalleled support throughout the process. Moreover, entrants don’t compete, they simply need to demonstrate how their exceptional training meets the Awards’ standards.

There have been some notable developments during the decade: the introduction of virtual support workshops, draft application feedback options, recognition renewal and the opening of the Awards in Ireland.

2025 is a special year for the Awards and with the celebrations come a series of exciting ventures, including a new podcast series, a ten-year impact report and video, a roundtable discussion with Alumni, the introduction of a new commendation and much more!

Beyond the Award: The benefits of recognition and celebration

The Awards offer more than royal recognition, celebration at a high-profile ceremony and access to a powerful network of over 600 L&D leaders. Ultimately, the true value lies in the transformative impact the Awards have on their organisations.

In a recent Alumni survey*, 93% of organisations reported a boost in employee engagement and wellbeing due to investment in learning, 91% saw an increased ability to demonstrate the value of skills to their organisation’s social value and 84% expressed enhanced confidence in their organisation’s culture and training approach.

With the growth of the alumni network have come opportunities for partnership and sharing best practice. In 2024, the first skills share event was held, attended by HRH, and was a huge success. Over 100 people attended, united by a shared belief in the power of learning and development, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The path to success: Top-level support for future stars

Support options have expanded considerably over the last ten years, including the provision of virtual workshops and the submission of draft applications, giving applicants the opportunity to receive feedback on their applications from Assessors. Since it was first trialled in 2020, the opportunity to receive feedback on a draft application has been increasingly embraced by applicants, with 70% of applicants asking for feedback in 2024. As one recipient stated:

“These Awards are so different to other awards out there and when we realised that, we really leaned into the process. Unlike other awards, there are so many opportunities to ask for feedback. Nobody else does that and I think through that process, you are able to dig a little deeper.” – 2024 Award recipient.

Applicants can also talk directly to the team via virtual ‘tea and chat’ sessions, one-to-one support calls and webchat. 

Seize the moment: How to apply for the 10th anniversary awards

If your organisation is looking to be recognised for a training programme which has positively impacted your organisation, why not register your interest? This is a unique opportunity to showcase your commitment to training and development and be recognised for your achievements. Applications open on 2 December 2024. You can find out more via the website or contact the Princess Royal Training Awards team at: info@princessroyaltrainingawards.com.

Awards are open until 31 March 2025.

I wish you the best of luck with your entry! 

Becki

*City & Guilds (2024) Impact Report 2024: The impact of skills on lives.

Useful links:
The Princess Royal Training Awards website https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/
Details for the support workshops https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/help-and-support/
Find out if you are eligible: https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/how-to-apply/eligibility-flowchart/
Alumni network https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/alumni/
Recipients 2024 https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/2024-recipients/
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/ 

This is the year to apply for the Princess Royal Training Awards as they celebrate a decade of royally recognising training excellence.  

This milestone marks ten years of honouring organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning initiatives.

From humble beginnings to global recognition: A decade of growth

Launched in 2016, the Princess Royal Training Awards were established in collaboration with employers, learning and development experts, and assessors to showcase outstanding organisations dedicated to investing in their people. HRH The Princess Royal, President of the City & Guilds Group, and a passionate advocate for skills development, endorsed the Awards and has played a central role in the Awards ever since. 

Over the years, the Awards have royally recognised a diverse range of organisations from the UK and Ireland, of all sizes, across various industries. Applications have varied in their focus, including leadership development, cultural transformation, talent pipeline upskilling, or apprenticeships.  As the Awards’ reputation as a gold standard has grown, more and more organisations are striving to earn this sought-after distinction. As one previous recipient stated:  

“It immediately attracted interest from overseas. It is a mark of excellence, and I think people recognise that both in the UK and internationally.”

The number of applications and recipients has risen significantly since the Awards’ inception, with 52 organisations achieving the Award in 2024.

The increasing popularity of the Awards can be attributed to an array of factors: Royal patronage, completely free entry, a prestigious ceremony, access to a powerful alumni network, and unparalleled support throughout the process. Moreover, entrants don’t compete, they simply need to demonstrate how their exceptional training meets the Awards’ standards.

There have been some notable developments during the decade: the introduction of virtual support workshops, draft application feedback options, recognition renewal and the opening of the Awards in Ireland.

2025 is a special year for the Awards and with the celebrations come a series of exciting ventures, including a new podcast series, a ten-year impact report and video, a roundtable discussion with Alumni, the introduction of a new commendation and much more!

Beyond the Award: The benefits of recognition and celebration

The Awards offer more than royal recognition, celebration at a high-profile ceremony and access to a powerful network of over 600 L&D leaders. Ultimately, the true value lies in the transformative impact the Awards have on their organisations.

In a recent Alumni survey*, 93% of organisations reported a boost in employee engagement and wellbeing due to investment in learning, 91% saw an increased ability to demonstrate the value of skills to their organisation’s social value and 84% expressed enhanced confidence in their organisation’s culture and training approach.

With the growth of the alumni network have come opportunities for partnership and sharing best practice. In 2024, the first skills share event was held, attended by HRH, and was a huge success. Over 100 people attended, united by a shared belief in the power of learning and development, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The path to success: Top-level support for future stars

Support options have expanded considerably over the last ten years, including the provision of virtual workshops and the submission of draft applications, giving applicants the opportunity to receive feedback on their applications from Assessors. Since it was first trialled in 2020, the opportunity to receive feedback on a draft application has been increasingly embraced by applicants, with 70% of applicants asking for feedback in 2024. As one recipient stated:

“These Awards are so different to other awards out there and when we realised that, we really leaned into the process. Unlike other awards, there are so many opportunities to ask for feedback. Nobody else does that and I think through that process, you are able to dig a little deeper.” – 2024 Award recipient.

Applicants can also talk directly to the team via virtual ‘tea and chat’ sessions, one-to-one support calls and webchat. 

Seize the moment: How to apply for the 10th anniversary awards

If your organisation is looking to be recognised for a training programme which has positively impacted your organisation, why not register your interest? This is a unique opportunity to showcase your commitment to training and development and be recognised for your achievements. Applications open on 2 December 2024. You can find out more via the website or contact the Princess Royal Training Awards team at: info@princessroyaltrainingawards.com.

Awards are open until 31 March 2025.

I wish you the best of luck with your entry! 

Becki

*City & Guilds (2024) Impact Report 2024: The impact of skills on lives.

Useful links:
The Princess Royal Training Awards website https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/
Details for the support workshops https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/help-and-support/
Find out if you are eligible: https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/how-to-apply/eligibility-flowchart/
Alumni network https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/alumni/
Recipients 2024 https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/2024-recipients/
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/