Why applying for the right award can have disproportionate impact on your organisation

Investment in learning and development (L&D) provides huge gains for both employees and organisations. Upskilling staff not only enables organisations to remain competitive and fit for the future, but it also boosts motivation, confidence, well-being and employee satisfaction. This subsequently leads to better engagement, productivity, innovation and retention, delivering substantial financial benefits and organisational growth.

What’s more, gaining external recognition for this dedication to training can help organisations develop a USP in a competitive marketplace. Achieving an award like the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award, is a great way to do this.

When it comes to deciding which award to apply for, however, there are many things to consider. How is the award viewed across your industry? What cost implications are there? If you get the award, what happens next? How much time does it take to apply? Whilst only you can decide what’s most important when reflecting on all of the different options available, consider checking out feedback from people who have already been through the process, as they will be able to tell you what the entire experience is like and the benefits that have come through achieving the award.

• 99% of respondents highlighted the increased confidence in their organisation’s approach to culture and training.
• 90% cited the positive impact on their organisation’s ability to demonstrate the role of L&D in their commitment to Social Value.
• 88% reported increased investment in L&D programmes.

And the benefits don’t end there. As one recipient explained:

“It immediately attracted interest from overseas. We work with a lot of American clients and we export a lot of what we do around the world and people noticed it. It is a mark of excellence and I think people recognise that both in the UK and internationally” – 2022 Award recipient.

Previous recipients

Leading global life sciences organisation Labcorp had a remarkable year in 2023, achieving three Awards! Its outstanding training programmes included a team leader and manager apprenticeship programme which has been rolled out across the globe following its success, an MSc focused on developing a talent pipeline and a programme designed to break down female employees’ barriers to success.

Labcorp received three awards in 2023. 

Homecare franchise Right at Home UK also achieved an Award for a caregivers training programme and an accredited Train the Trainer programme designed to establish in-house training for franchise owners and ensure consistency in training and care:

“Right at Home is proud to have received such a prestigious award, as it recognises our dedication to investing in our employees, enabling them to deliver outstanding care to our clients. This accolade has elevated our learning and development profile, acting as an exemplar for our approach to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.”

Manufacturing organisation AESSEAL plc received an Award for revalidation of an apprenticeship programme which has become integral to the operation of the business. The number of employed apprentices has increased from 20 in 2018 to 230 in 2023, with 32% of the company’s employees being current or former apprentices. Recruitment is evenly split between male and female apprentices and 10% of recruits in 2023 were from BAME communities.

Entering The Princess Royal Training Awards

Whatever your requirements when you consider applying for an award, make sure that the benefits outweigh the time and resources needed to apply. The Princess Royal Training Awards have a robust application process and are evidence-based thus meaning it takes time to apply. But we think that the prestige of the awards and the fact that you can say you deliver royally-recognised training if you achieve one, means that they are worthwhile and clearly many recipients agree:

“For us, it is recognition that we have met a high standard, a quality standard; it’s a prestigious award and it’s an excellent benchmark for us and others as well. And going through the process has also been extremely valuable. It encouraged us to reflect upon what we do well, where we have been, where we are at now and where we can go moving forwards” – 2021 recipient

I can speak from personal experience when I say there is a friendly support team in place and lots of ways to support you throughout the whole process. Applicants can join in-person and virtual support workshops and ‘tea and chat’ sessions, connect with the team through webchat and even get feedback from Assessors on a draft application! 

For more information why not join a virtual support workshop or tea and chat session to find out more?: https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/help-and-support/

I wish you the best of luck with your entry – Applications close 28th March 2024.

Becki

Useful links:

Details for the workshops
The Princess Royal Training Awards impact report: Celebrating the impact of learning and development
The Princess Royal Training Awards website
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/ 

Why applying for the right award can have disproportionate impact on your organisation

Investment in learning and development (L&D) provides huge gains for both employees and organisations. Upskilling staff not only enables organisations to remain competitive and fit for the future, but it also boosts motivation, confidence, well-being and employee satisfaction. This subsequently leads to better engagement, productivity, innovation and retention, delivering substantial financial benefits and organisational growth.

What’s more, gaining external recognition for this dedication to training can help organisations develop a USP in a competitive marketplace. Achieving an award like the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award, is a great way to do this.

When it comes to deciding which award to apply for, however, there are many things to consider. How is the award viewed across your industry? What cost implications are there? If you get the award, what happens next? How much time does it take to apply? Whilst only you can decide what’s most important when reflecting on all of the different options available, consider checking out feedback from people who have already been through the process, as they will be able to tell you what the entire experience is like and the benefits that have come through achieving the award.

Royal recognition

The Princess Royal Training Awards feels to have a few points of difference from other award programmes. The Awards take their name from the President of the City & Guilds of London Institute and HRH The Princess Royal is actively involved in the process. As well as reviewing the recommendations from Assessors as to who should be put forward for an Award, in previous years recipients have received their award from HRH at a prestigious awards ceremony.

“There is something a little bit magical about The Princess Royal and that stardom element. So that definitely gives it an extra edge which we wouldn’t have had with another award” – 2022 recipient.

The awards are free to enter from start to finish and Award recipients are invited to join an active Alumni network of 600+ members who all believe in the power of investing in learning and development. When it comes to the impact of getting a Princess Royal Training Award, the most recent survey with Award recipients showed:

• 99% of respondents highlighted the increased confidence in their organisation’s approach to culture and training.
• 90% cited the positive impact on their organisation’s ability to demonstrate the role of L&D in their commitment to Social Value.
• 88% reported increased investment in L&D programmes.

And the benefits don’t end there. As one recipient explained:

“It immediately attracted interest from overseas. We work with a lot of American clients and we export a lot of what we do around the world and people noticed it. It is a mark of excellence and I think people recognise that both in the UK and internationally” – 2022 Award recipient.

Previous recipients

Leading global life sciences organisation Labcorp had a remarkable year in 2023, achieving three Awards! Its outstanding training programmes included a team leader and manager apprenticeship programme which has been rolled out across the globe following its success, an MSc focused on developing a talent pipeline and a programme designed to break down female employees’ barriers to success.

Labcorp received three awards in 2023. 

Homecare franchise Right at Home UK also achieved an Award for a caregivers training programme and an accredited Train the Trainer programme designed to establish in-house training for franchise owners and ensure consistency in training and care:

“Right at Home is proud to have received such a prestigious award, as it recognises our dedication to investing in our employees, enabling them to deliver outstanding care to our clients. This accolade has elevated our learning and development profile, acting as an exemplar for our approach to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.”

Manufacturing organisation AESSEAL plc received an Award for revalidation of an apprenticeship programme which has become integral to the operation of the business. The number of employed apprentices has increased from 20 in 2018 to 230 in 2023, with 32% of the company’s employees being current or former apprentices. Recruitment is evenly split between male and female apprentices and 10% of recruits in 2023 were from BAME communities.

Entering The Princess Royal Training Awards

Whatever your requirements when you consider applying for an award, make sure that the benefits outweigh the time and resources needed to apply. The Princess Royal Training Awards have a robust application process and are evidence-based thus meaning it takes time to apply. But we think that the prestige of the awards and the fact that you can say you deliver royally-recognised training if you achieve one, means that they are worthwhile and clearly many recipients agree:

“For us, it is recognition that we have met a high standard, a quality standard; it’s a prestigious award and it’s an excellent benchmark for us and others as well. And going through the process has also been extremely valuable. It encouraged us to reflect upon what we do well, where we have been, where we are at now and where we can go moving forwards” – 2021 recipient

I can speak from personal experience when I say there is a friendly support team in place and lots of ways to support you throughout the whole process. Applicants can join in-person and virtual support workshops and ‘tea and chat’ sessions, connect with the team through webchat and even get feedback from Assessors on a draft application! 

For more information why not join a virtual support workshop or tea and chat session to find out more?: https://www.princessroyaltrainingawards.com/help-and-support/

I wish you the best of luck with your entry – Applications close 28th March 2024.

Becki

Useful links:

Details for the workshops
The Princess Royal Training Awards impact report: Celebrating the impact of learning and development
The Princess Royal Training Awards website
Boost’s award writing services https://boost-awards.co.uk/