We believe that training is at the core of every successful business. It allows you to recruit better staff, retain quality colleagues and future proof your talent pipeline. It’s the investment that offers a return time and time again.

The Princess Royal Training Award is an exclusive honour for UK businesses to be recognised for learning and development that leads to business success.

We are delighted to offer this prestigious award, in line with the City & Guilds Group values, to employers in the UK who can prove that their outstanding training and skills development programmes have resulted in exceptional commercial benefits for their business.

The awards are free to enter.

Our President
HRH The Princess Royal

The awards are supported by our President, HRH The Princess Royal, who is a keen advocate of skills development.

"Many employers are making positive contributions to our wider communities and economies by up-skilling and empowering their employees. The Princess Royal Training Awards provide a platform for such employers, giving them the accolade they deserve."

WHY WAS THE AWARD CREATED?

The Princess Royal Training Award was created to champion inspirational work. The award was designed with the help of industry experts to identify excellent training, learning and development programmes to encourage best practice in skills development.

The result is an award that highlights the range and quality of training that exists in industry.

BENEFITS OF THE AWARDS

Achieving this prestigious award can help individual organisations by distinguishing them from their competitors. The award identifies the recipients as authorities in training and skills development. Recipients of the award are invited to display the award logo on their websites, business communications and products, bringing industry-wide recognition.

Entrants will receive support throughout the application process. The feedback will enable companies to analyse their training, learning and development strategies. It will also help companies to plan and deliver training in a more effective way.

APPLICATION

The awards are open to organisations of all sizes, and from all sectors in the UK. Applications will be open from 2 January – 29 March 2018. The awards ceremony will take place in the autumn.

What information is needed for the application?

Your application needs to demonstrate how the initiative has been innovative, timely and effective in meeting business needs and in supporting the growth of employees.

In preparation for your application, consider:

Which of your training, learning and development initiatives is the most outstanding?
What is the initiative, and what is it meant to achieve?
How does it encourage training best practice to support the organisation?
How does it help employees and/or volunteers?
How does the initiative promote your organisation’s commitment to learning and skills development?

Find out more about making your application on the Submission process page or register your interest.

What does the application process involve?

The first part is a written evaluation where you can explain how your organisation’s learning initiative has been successful
The next part is a supporting statement from your senior management
If these are successful, the final part takes the form of a visit to your organisation by an independent assessor
The Princess Royal Training Awards Commission (an independent assessment board) will make the final decision about which organisations meet the standard.

Find out more about making your application on the Submission process page or register your interest.

What support is provided?

Just by applying, your organisation will receive free support and feedback, which includes:

An evaluation to help build skills and training
The opportunity to improve your business operations
Dedicated support during the online application process
A peer-led, independent assessment by respected industry experts

Find out more about making your application on the Submission process page.

Register your interest in applying.

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Exclusive awards ceremony

The inaugural Princess Royal Training Awards ceremony took place on 24 November 2016 at St James's Palace. 33 organisations have received recognition for excellence in training and skills development.

Find out more about the 2016 Awards recipients>

How to apply

Assessors and Commissioners

Community of Excellence

Find out more

Key dates

Applications Close

29 Mar '18 – Deadline for Princess Royal Training Awards 2018 submissions.
Applications open

02 Jan '18 – Applications for the Princess Royal Training Awards 2018 open.

Lisa Robbins

Director of Partner Resources, Starbucks EMEA

We are so delighted to be awarded a Princess Royal Training Award for our UK Apprenticeship programme. The assessment process was rigorous, yet rewarding as the assessment team really took the time to understand our business as well as the value our apprenticeships have brought.

'At Starbucks over 50% of our employees are aged under 25 years and our apprenticeship programme has helped us to offer them a genuine alternative to academic study and a real path to a retail career. We are very proud of the programme which goes from strength to strength. We will continue to invest in apprenticeships and our wider youth employability and skills programmes.'

Anthony Ottway

Managing Director, Green Lighting

Part of the success of Green Lighting’s training programme is the flexibility it offers to employees.

'The organisation tailors CPD plans to expand employee’s skills, developing expertise that will benefit them in their existing roles and allowing them to diversify into another areas of the business based on individual’s longer-term career ambitions.’

Laura Stringer

Developmental Training Specialist and Global Diversity Project Manager, Hilti

We are really pleased to have been recognised by City & Guilds with the Princess Royal Training Award for our flagship ‘Basic Training Scheme’ known affectionately at Hilti as BTS. Learning and development is vital to remaining agile in a highly competitive market.

'Hilti invests over £1.3 million each year in training employees through the Manchester-based Training Centre alone. This signifies our commitment to building a highly competent team; one of the key pillars supporting our Champion 2020 growth strategy.’

Steven James

The Donkey Sanctuary

Achieving this award means the complete endorsement of what we thought we were doing right, of the materials we delivered, and of the fact that what we delivered made a difference.

‘Achieving this award means the complete endorsement of what we thought we were doing right, of the materials we delivered, and of the fact that what we delivered made a difference.’

Liz Willis

Head of Learning & Development, Caring Homes Group

We are delighted that Caring Homes’ My World has been recognised for this award. The assessment was extremely thorough and everyone involved, from our Dementia Lead Michele Saunders to the in-home trainers, should be very proud of the achievement.

'We truly have delivered on the criteria set for these awards and our residents are benefitting hugely from all the great work that is resulting from the training.’

Nicola Thompson

Head of Organisational Development, National Museums Northern Ireland

Our keen focus and investment in training has been essential in supporting us through a period of significant reform and modernisation.

'It has helped nurture the talent and potential of our staff and has enabled us to connect even further with our visitors. The Princess Royal Training Awards celebrate our achievements and we are truly delighted to have received the award.’

Register your interest

Contact us

Our Head Office address

City & Guilds Group
1 Giltspur Street
London, UK
EC1A 9DD

Call the Princess Royal Training Awards support team
07710096000