A year after marking ten years of excellence, the Princess Royal Training Awards continue to stand as a powerful testament to the value of investing in people  

As the Awards move beyond their milestone anniversary, they remain a benchmark for UK and Ireland employers determined to build skills, strengthen work cultures and create lasting impact through learning and development. 

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 them ever since. 

Over the years, the Awards have royally recognised a diverse range of organisations from the UK and Ireland, of all sizes, and across all 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 57 organisations achieving the Award in 2025.

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.

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

2025 was a special year for the Awards and with the celebrations came a series of exciting ventures, including a new podcast series, a ten-year impact report, a skills sharing event with Alumni, the introduction of a new commendation and much more!

For 2026, the Awards will be expanding their eligibility criteria to include organisations who have training with international reach. This means that, provided their training base remains in the UK or Ireland, organisations can now receive recognition for the impact of their global training too.

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 700 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. Building on the success of its 2024 debut, the second skills share event in April 2025 brought together more than 130 Award recipients at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, 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 over 70% of applicants asking for feedback in 2025. 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. In 2026, selected applicants will also benefit from enhanced support through Applicant Coaching, building on a 2025 pilot where a previous recipient supported aspiring applicants throughout the process. 

Seize the moment: Get royal recognition for your commitment to training

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 1st December 2025. You can find out more via the website or contact the Princess Royal Training Awards team at: info@princessroyaltrainingawards.com.

Awards are open until 20th March 2026.

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/
Register your interest https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/applying/register-your-interest-and-apply/
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 2025 https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/2025-recipients/
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/ 

A year after marking ten years of excellence, the Princess Royal Training Awards continue to stand as a powerful testament to the value of investing in people  

As the Awards move beyond their milestone anniversary, they remain a benchmark for UK and Ireland employers determined to build skills, strengthen work cultures and create lasting impact through learning and development. 

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 them ever since. 

Over the years, the Awards have royally recognised a diverse range of organisations from the UK and Ireland, of all sizes, and across all 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 57 organisations achieving the Award in 2025.

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.

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

2025 was a special year for the Awards and with the celebrations came a series of exciting ventures, including a new podcast series, a ten-year impact report, a skills sharing event with Alumni, the introduction of a new commendation and much more!

For 2026, the Awards will be expanding their eligibility criteria to include organisations who have training with international reach. This means that, provided their training base remains in the UK or Ireland, organisations can now receive recognition for the impact of their global training too.

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 700 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. Building on the success of its 2024 debut, the second skills share event in April 2025 brought together more than 130 Award recipients at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, 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 over 70% of applicants asking for feedback in 2025. 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. In 2026, selected applicants will also benefit from enhanced support through Applicant Coaching, building on a 2025 pilot where a previous recipient supported aspiring applicants throughout the process. 

Seize the moment: Get royal recognition for your commitment to training

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 1st December 2025. You can find out more via the website or contact the Princess Royal Training Awards team at: info@princessroyaltrainingawards.com.

Awards are open until 20th March 2026.

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/
Register your interest https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/applying/register-your-interest-and-apply/
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 2025 https://princessroyaltrainingawards.com/2025-recipients/
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/