Application Support Resource
Welcome to the online application support resource. We have created this page to provide as much information, help and support as possible as you work your way through the application form.
However if you have a question that’s not covered, we are only a call, email or web chat away so please get in touch!
Beginning your application
Submitting evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginning your application
Registering your interest
In order to fill in an application form, you need to register your interest to receive a link to the application form. This link will be emailed to you when you register (or once applications open if you registered before 03 Jan 2023).
This link is unique to you and will be used throughout your application until you submit it. This way you can save your work and not have to worry about losing your link. If you need a link reminder, let us know and we can send you one.
How to use the online application form
Application form sections
We understand that this form takes time to complete and you may not have everything to hand at this moment. That is why we have split the form into sections to make it easier to navigate and pick up where you left off. If you return to the form using the unique link you can easily go straight to the last section you were working on.
Submitting a draft
We are offering applicants a mid-term review option – a chance to submit a draft version of their application for some initial feedback from Assessors.
If you complete Hallmarks 1-3 and opt-in to this option by 28 February an Assessor will respond with some initial feedback within ten days. In order to provide feedback we will need draft answers for the three Hallmark sections. You can then take on board the feedback before submitting your final application by 31 March when the applications close.
Returning to your application form
The link that you used to access the application form is unique to you and will be used throughout your application until you submit it. This way you can save your work and not have to worry about losing your link. If you need a reminder, let us know.
Applying for multiple programmes
If you have more than one programme you’d like to apply for, let us know so we can provide you with another unique link. If you try to register again with the same details you will get the same link again so we will need to give you another unique link for the second programme.
Revalidating an Award
We have included information on this page for previous recipients who are revalidating their Award after three or more years.
The process for revalidation is the same as a normal application, although the criteria in the Hallmarks is slightly different. For more information, see the Revalidation for previous recipients page or look out for Revalidation information in each Hallmark section.
About you, your organisation and your training programme
About you
Most people who complete the application form are filling it in on behalf of themselves. However, occasionally someone fills in the form either on behalf of someone else in their organisation, or (if they work for a training provider) on behalf of a client. Please let us know who you are filling in the application form on behalf of so that we can make sure we are contacting the correct person through the application process.
Please note we will use the information you supply to contact you about your application, and if your application is successful we will invite you (or your designated contact) to Alumni events throughout the year. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
The Awards are open to any private, public or not-for-profit organisation operating in the UK and Ireland regardless of size or sector.
You need to be able to prove that your outstanding training and skills development programmes have resulted in exceptional benefits for the business.
You should also be able to evidence how training and developing your staff and / or volunteers has had a positive impact.
About your organisation
Please provide information about your organisation. The type of things we ask you for are:
Description of your business and its purpose and vision
You have 200 words to describe your business, what it does and its vision. This provides us with some great context before we ask you about your training, learning and development programme in further detail.
About your training programme
Please provide information about your training programme. The type of things we ask you for are:
- Type of training initiative – who undertook the programme. You can use our eligibility flow chart to check if you are eligible to apply for an Award.
- Title of your training / learning and development programme
- Location of the training
- Number of people who have undertaken the training
- Function / department where the training took place
- Who delivered the training
- Timescales of the programme
About your training programme: Revalidation
Summary of your original application
Please give a brief summary of your original application to provide the assessor with context when reviewing your form. For this question, you can simply copy the summary from this website’s recipients pages and paste the text into the form. You have up to 100 words for this question but do not have to use all of them if you are copying and pasting the summary.
What has happened since this programme was awarded?
For this question you have up to 400 words to describe what has happened since you received a Princess Royal Training Award for this programme. Remember to include information about the strategic need and if this has changed or not, whether the design and delivery changed and provide an overview of the impact the programme has had since the award was first achieved.
The Hallmarks
Hallmark 1: Why?
Hallmark 2: How?
Hallmark 3: What?
The main section of the application form is divided into 3 Hallmarks, which each contain two questions for you to complete. You are asked to frame your application and supporting evidence around these sections. For each question we include the total number of marks and the criteria which the Assessors will use to mark your application. Please make sure that your answer does refer to each of the criterion listed as they are all worth marks. For any question where there is a criterion with more marks attributed to it, we show this by adding the number of marks against it and the focus of your answer should factor this in.
Please note the 6 questions in this section along with the evidence you provide to support your answers is the main focus of the application and where the majority of the assessment is undertaken. Please consider the criterion against each question carefully to ensure you’ve included reference to each and make sure you have a final read of your answer against the criteria before you submit your application. If you are unsure whether something is relevant to include or want to talk anything through, we are happy to help.
Hallmark 1: Why?
Question 1: Why did you choose training, learning and development to address a challenge or opportunity?
10 marks
- What was the challenge or opportunity you were seeking to address?
- Why did you choose to address it through staff development?
- What were the specific aims and objectives?
Don’t forgot to tell us what the challenge or opportunity was in your organisation that you needed to address through the training.
Question 2: Where does this programme sit in your organisational strategy?
10 marks
- Your organisation demonstrates a clear commitment to staff development which has the support of all levels of management
- The organisation promotes diversity, equity and inclusion by providing opportunities for unlocking individual potential, actively encourages training, learning & development and motivates employees to learn in an inclusive way
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 1 Q1
- Why have you continued to use this training programme to address the challenge or opportunity?
- What were the specific aims and objectives and have they changed?
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 1 Q2
- Describe the strategic context for the programme and your organisation’s commitment to training, learning and development
- The organisation promotes diversity, equity and inclusion, unlocking individual potential, actively encouraging training, learning & development and motivating employees to learn in an inclusive way. Has anything changed to make training more inclusive
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 250 words.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 250 words.
Supporting evidence for Hallmark 1
Please upload one evidence file to support Hallmark 1.
Examples of supporting evidence for this Hallmark could include some of the following:
- Concise extracts from business plans
- Training/learning and development strategy papers
- Performance figures showing: turnover, sales, service levels, engagement surveys; statistics which show a business justification for the training
- Summary data showing numbers of trainees, qualifications completed, outcomes achieved
- Inclusion and diversity policies and other examples of how specific learning styles and needs have been addressed allowing the training to be as inclusive as possible
- Assessment or inspections by external bodies
- Relevant accreditations
- Abbreviated examples of individual training/learning plans.
Please note all information provided to support the application is kept confidential.
For more general information about preparing evidence files for upload, please see the Submitting evidence section below.
You can upload one evidence document for each of the Three Hallmarks. Each one can be up to 2MB in size and up to 500 words and can be in a variety of formats such as PowerPoint, Word, Adobe PDF, Excel, etc.
Hallmark 2: How?
Question 1: How was the programme designed and delivered?
15 marks
- How you designed and delivered the training, learning & development programme
- Explain anything distinctive, creative or innovative about the programme and the technology or resources used to deliver it
- Evidence is provided about the inclusive nature of your training programme and how you responded to the different needs of participants
Question 2: How did you evaluate the training, learning and development?
15 marks
- How you evaluated the programme and any improvements or changes you made as a result of evaluation (5 marks)
- What were the financial and/or other input resources such as time? Were these cost effective in relation to the outcomes and how was this measured? (10 marks)
Whilst some organisations can show a financial return on investment in relation to the training, learning or development, many other organisations don’t have the data to provide this. You need to be able to show how you are measuring the training including any input resources you can provide such as time spent, costs etc against the training outcomes.
Then you can go on to explain how you are evaluating the programme and any changes you’ve made because of what you’ve learnt from that evaluation.
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 2 Q1
- Tell us how you have built on the design and delivery of the programme, highlight any changes you have made and provide the rationale for this
- Explain anything distinctive, creative or innovative about the programme and the technology or resources used to deliver it since you achieved the award
- Evidence is provided about the inclusive nature of your training programme, how you responded to the different needs of participants and anything that has changed to make it more inclusive since the award was achieved
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 2 Q2
- How you evaluated the programme and any improvements or changes you made as a result of evaluation since the award was last achieved (5 marks)
- What were the financial and/or other input resources such as time since the award was last achieved? Have these continued to be cost effective in relation to the outcomes and how was this measured? (10 marks)
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 300 words.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 300 words.
Supporting evidence for Hallmark 2
Please upload one evidence file to support Hallmark 2.
Examples of supporting evidence for this Hallmark could include some of the following:
- Facts and figures showing what happened and to whom (presented as tables or graphs), summaries of programme content, snapshots of individual training plans
- Examples of material adapted or designed for specific audiences
- Examples of particularly innovative activities that have enhanced the learning such as role plays, blended learning, gamification etc
- Extracts explaining the rationale for the learning methodology chosen in order to meet the organisational need
- Financial or other performance-related information to show how resources have been used efficiently and effectively (cost of materials, training staff, any funding received etc)
- Learning success rates, evaluation processes and outcomes and details of any measures for improvement.
Please note all information provided to support the application is kept confidential.
For more general information about preparing evidence files for upload, please see the Submitting evidence section below.
You can upload one evidence document for each of the Three Hallmarks. Each one can be up to 2MB in size and up to 500 words and can be in a variety of formats such as PowerPoint, Word, Adobe PDF, Excel, etc.
Hallmark 3: What?
Question 1: What impact did the programme have on the success of your organisation?
20 marks
- The programme was successful in achieving its aims and objectives and has made a measurable impact on improved organisational performance (15 marks)
- How has the success of this programme influenced the organisation’s commitment to staff development? (5 marks)
Has your Learning and Development strategy developed as a result of the training? If it has, tell us about it here.
Question 2: What impact did the programme have on the success of your people?
20 marks
- The programme has a sustainable impact on your people and their performance in the organisation
- How the training, learning & development impacted on the capabilities and skills of the individual participants
A great way to bring your application to life is by including quotes, testimonials and real examples from trainees in your supporting evidence.
If participants are involved in taking ownership of their learning and development needs, please mention that here.
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 3 Q1
- The programme was successful in achieving its aims and objectives and continues to make a measurable impact on improved organisational performance (15 marks)
- How has the success of this programme influenced the organisation’s commitment to staff development since the award was last achieved? (5 marks)
Revalidation criteria for Hallmark 3 Q2
- The programme continues to have a sustainable impact on your people and their performance in the organisation
- How the training, learning & development impacted on the capabilities and skills of the individual participants since the award was last achieved.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 350 words.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 350 words.
Supporting evidence for Hallmark 3
Please upload one evidence file to support Hallmark 3.
Examples of supporting evidence for this Hallmark could include some of the following:
- Data demonstrating improved organisational performance which can be linked directly back to the learning initiative, such as sales and profitability, improved market share, employee retention/attraction, improved products or services, reduced complaints
- Survey summary data demonstrating customer satisfaction and loyalty, increased brand awareness or reputation
- Data demonstrating improved employee engagement and performance which is directly linked to the training programme
- Testimonials from managers to illustrate improved performance
- Appraisals/performance management data which records levels of performance
- Testimonials illustrating how training has met individual needs, what has been learnt and how it has been applied
- Examples of how participants are actively managing their own learning
- Snapshots/summaries of evaluation feedback forms.
Please note all information provided to support the application is kept confidential.
For more general information about preparing evidence files for upload, please see the Submitting evidence section below.
You can upload one evidence document for each of the Three Hallmarks. Each one can be up to 2MB in size and up to 500 words and can be in a variety of formats such as PowerPoint, Word, Adobe PDF, Excel, etc.
Sharing Best Practice
What aspects of your programme could other organisations learn from or replicate?
Assessors want to know how other organisations could benefit from the approach taken to the design, development, and implementation of your programme.
Don’t forget to include any additional or unexpected benefits you identified as a result of the programme.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 200 words.
Endorsement
Why are you supporting this initiative and how does it fit into the strategic vision of your organisation?
Applicants are asked to provide a statement from senior management supporting the application and confirming the benefits of the initiative to the success of the organisation.
Please note: you can send this section to your senior manager to complete or they can send you a statement for you to put into the form.
For this question, you are allowed a maximum of 100 words.
Submitting evidence
You can upload one document up to 2MB in size and 500 words for each of the three Hallmarks.
We know that the word count for answering the questions in the application form is challenging. That’s why you have the option of including additional supporting evidence to support each of the three Hallmarks and we strongly recommend you do so.
Within each of the Hallmark sections in this Application Support Resource we have provided examples of documents that you may want to provide as supporting evidence if they support and add further clarity to your responses.
Please cut and paste only the relevant snippets or sections of documents. We recommend that you copy and paste all of your supporting evidence per Hallmark into one document i.e. Word, PowerPoint or PDF and clearly label each section. It would be even better if you can reference in your response where the supporting evidence further supports a point made.
For specific advice about what to upload for each hallmark see Hallmark 1, Hallmark 2 and Hallmark 3 evidence.
- Refer to the Application Support Resource as you complete your application as it contains important information about the criteria and examples of supporting evidence.
- Provide supporting organisational metrics such as charts, graphs and histograms.
- Include statistics, quantifiable and comparative data.
- Use only the relevant sections of a document that best support your point rather than full versions of documents.
- Don’t attach more than three documents in total (one per hallmark) of more than 2MB and 500 words each.
- Don’t include external links, pictures and/ or videos in your application. Whilst you can reference a video or include a screenshot in your evidence so that this can be discussed in further detail should your application progress to the next stage of the process, Assessors can’t click on external links included in your application.
Make reference to everything that you want to include. If something isn’t mentioned in your application, Assessors cannot take it into account during the next stage of the application process should you proceed to this stage.
Please note: All information is treated as strictly confidential and will not be shared outside the assessment team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the Princess Royal Training Awards?
The Awards are open to all organisations in the UK and Ireland regardless of size or sector. We welcome applications from private, public and not-for-profit organisations who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes. You need to be able to evidence how the training, learning and development has had a positive impact back on your organisation and your people.
We also encourage applications from organisations which provide exceptional learning and development, while not necessarily following the conventional employer/employee contractual relationships. This includes organisations which provide training for specific groups of individuals with whom they have a definitive contractual business relationship e.g. franchise holders, who are the beneficiaries of the training.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible to apply please see our eligibility flow chart.
The Awards are delivered by the City & Guilds Foundation – does this mean I have to be associated with them or City & Guilds to apply?
You don’t need to work with any of the City & Guilds organisations to be able to apply for the Awards. We welcome applications from all organisations in the UK or Ireland.
Is there a cost for entering the Awards?
No, the Awards are free to enter. There is no cost implication at any stage of the Award process. If you achieve an Award, the celebration event is also free to attend.
What are the key dates for the Awards?
See the graphic below or find out more about the Submission process.
What is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commendation?
We offer an additional commendation to employers who have demonstrated a significant commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Specifically, how they are providing equal opportunities to unlock an individual’s potential. Special recognition will be given to organisations demonstrating their commitment to DEI through their application and the supporting evidence provided. Find out more about the diversity, equity and inclusion commendation.
When do I need to submit my application?
We recommend submitting your application as soon as you have confidently completed all sections. The deadline for submitting your application is midnight on 31 March.
How do I submit my application?
Once you have completed all of the sections of the online application form and uploaded your evidence you will be able to submit it.
If I submit my application and I need to amend something, can I resubmit my application?
Unfortunately, once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make any further changes to your entry using your unique link. If you need something amended, the team can help.
Can I submit a draft application for mid-term review?
We are offering applicants the chance to submit a draft version of their application for some initial feedback from Assessors. If you draft responses to the questions in the three Hallmark sections by 28 February an Assessor will respond with some initial feedback. You can then take on board the feedback before submitting your final application by 31 March.
You don’t need to worry about supporting evidence when submitting a draft of your application – save this for submitting with your final application. However if you do want to send us a list of what evidence you plan to provide with your final application, the Assessor can have a look at this to make sure you are on the right track.
My evidence file for a Hallmark is larger than 2MB
Please cut it down. Try to mention the evidence in your answer. You can also try compressing image files. Don’t worry – if you go through to the next stage and receive a virtual visit, you will be able to share any additional evidence with the Assessor Team as long as you have made reference to it in your application form or supporting evidence.
What happens after I submit my application?
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact us. Each application is allocated to an Assessor who will determine how well it meets the Hallmarks’ criteria. The Assessor will write a report which will be reviewed by the Chief Assessor to ensure consistency as part of the quality assurance process.
If you are shortlisted as a potentially successful applicant, you will be contacted to arrange a virtual visit from the Assessor Team which will take place in May or June. If you are not shortlisted, you will receive detailed feedback on your application.
Following the virtual visit, a final report with recommendations will be presented to HRH The Princess Royal who will confirm the Awards.
What support is available to applicants?
We offer web chat, telephone support, virtual workshops and tea and chat drop-in sessions to help applicants make the most of their applications. Find out more about these support options now.
If you have any issues or would like to discuss your application, we are here to help! Ask your questions by web chat on our website, by email at info@princessroyaltrainingawards.com.
