The Submission Process
The submission process for the Princess Royal Training Awards consists of an online application and a validation visit from an Assessor.Once your written application has been submitted, our Assessors will shortlist organisations who will be selected to undertake a virtual visit.
The submission process in detail
What does the online application involve?
• About you and your organisation
• The Hallmarks
• Sharing best practice
• Senior manager endorsement
• How did you hear about us?
• Evidence files
The Three Hallmarks will be used to evaluate applications. These are a set of standards and criteria which applicants should use as guides when completing their application.
Application form
The application form is available for you to apply online. Applications are free of charge, and can be made by individuals from organisations based in the UK and Ireland of all sizes and from all sectors (public, private and not-for-profit).
We also allow applications from group-led training organisations and organisations providing learning and development opportunities for specific groups of individuals with whom they have a definitive contractual business relationship e.g. franchise holders. Please see our eligibility flowchart to check if you are eligible to apply for an Award.
Applications should demonstrate how the organisation’s learning and development initiative has resulted in a positive impact on the organisation. It needs to include:
- How the organisation’s strategy for improvement is supported by its commitment to training/ learning and development
- How the training programme is effectively managed to match the needs of individuals, and how it is cost effective
- How the initiative has sustainably supported the growth of the organisation and its employees
Supporting statement
The supporting statement, or endorsement, needs to be completed by a member of the organisation’s senior management, such as a Chief Executive, Director or Senior Manager.
The statement should support the application by confirming that the initiative has contributed to the success of the business.
Submit a draft
We are offering applicants the chance to submit a draft of their application for some initial feedback. If you draft responses to the questions in the three hallmark sections, an Assessor will provide some feedback which you can then implement before submitting your final application.
Assistance with your application
We offer one-to-one support to all applicants throughout the application process. Please contact us via webchat, via email or on 07710 096 006 if you require further support.
We are delighted that Caring Homes has been recognised for this award. The assessment was extremely thorough and everyone involved should be very proud of the achievement. We truly have delivered on the criteria set for these awards and our residents are benefiting hugely from all the great work that has resulted from the training.
The Application Review Process – virtual visit
If the written application meets the three Hallmarks, the next stage of the process is a virtual visit from the Assessor Team to speak to employees, management and participants about the training initiative and its success. The virtual visit, which we call the Application Review Process (ARP), is an informal chance for organisations to expand further on the information from their applications.
The Application Review Process (ARP)
Congratulations if you’re through to the Application Review stage! But, what is the ARP, what happens during the visit and how can you prepare for it to make sure that you get the best out of the visit?
The ARP is a virtual visit which provides an opportunity for an organisation to expand on the information from their application. Members of the Assessor Team will meet with employees, management and participants to unpack their application further and ask any questions they have relating to information in the application form.
The Three Hallmarks framework will be used to guide the Assessor Team’s evaluation of information provided by your organisation to support the application.
It is important to remember that the Team are validating the whole of your application, and although they will have indicated areas of specific interest which you will find out about prior to the ARP, this is only part of the purpose of the visit. So, keep the ‘big picture’ in mind when planning for the ARP.
As the applicant, you will need to:
- Host the ARP, ensuring that participants, staff and senior management are available to speak to the Assessor Team. The visit will last between two and two and a half hours
- Give a short presentation about the training programme (up to 10 minutes)
- Provide any supporting documents that were requested in advance of the visit
Your presentation should include:
- What the training programme is
- What the training/learning and development programme set out to achieve
- How the programme is managed and delivered
- Who is involved in the initiative
- What its outcomes are, with supporting evidence
- How it contributes to your organisation’s business success
Key stakeholders the Assessor Team will be interested in speaking with include:
- Staff involved in the design and delivery of the programme
- Participants from different departments who attended the programme
- Participants who attended earlier as well as more recent programmes
- A manager who can provide a holistic view of the impact and benefits of the programme
Whilst this provides a guide as to who the Assessor Team may wish to speak to, all organisations are different and they will be guided by your application and you during a conversation prior to the ARP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
See the full list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Application Support Resources page.
Register your interest / apply
Register your interest and we will send you a link to the application form once the Awards are open for entry. If you register whilst applications are open we will send a link to the form immediately.
