Celebrating talent and recognising excellence
Our fifth Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards will be happening again at Cavendish Square in February 2026 and we are now accepting nominations!
The Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards is an evening of recognising and rewarding the achievements of our apprentices. It also celebrates the employer representatives and university staff members who dedicate their time to seeing a new generation of built environment professionals make their mark.
The deadline for submitting nominations is midday on 1 December 2025. We will announce the shortlisted nominees in early January 2026.
To nominate someone, you will need to write a short justification as to why your nominee is deserving of the award and what their contribution towards apprenticeships is. The more evidence you can give to our panel, the better.
Categories
Employer Representative
Nominees for this category will be for an individual who supports apprentices or champions apprenticeships within their organisation and has learners studying with the University.
For example, they may be a line manager who has provided exceptional support to their apprentice/s, an HR manager who has developed an outstanding apprenticeship programme, or a senior leader who has made a valuable contribution related to apprenticeships. There are three categories to choose from:
- Large Employer - companies with more than 250 employees
- SME - companies with less than 250 employees
- Public Sector
Apprentice of the Year
Two awards are available: one for an apprentice studying on a postgraduate degree and one for an apprentice studying on an undergraduate degree.
This category is for any current apprentice in the second year or above who has made an outstanding contribution during their apprenticeship either through academic excellence in their degree or significant contribution in their workplace.
Eligible apprentices will have started their studies on or before spring 2024 and will be a current apprentice as of February 2026.
Rising Star
This category is for an apprentice who has really hit the ground running in their first year of study and has either made a big impact in their workplace or made significant achievements in their academic study.
Eligible apprentices will have started their academic year in 2024-2025.
University Staff Member
This category is for any member of staff at the University that has made a significant contribution towards the development of apprenticeships, including exceptional support to an apprentice, championing apprenticeships within the workplace or in service to apprenticeships.
Please note that only apprentices and employers can nominate for this category.
The following award will also be presented on the night:
Vice-Chancellor’s Choice
This award winner is chosen by Vice-Chancellor, Ashley Wheaton, from the categories of Apprentice of the Year and Rising Star and presented to someone who is demonstrating all the University’s core values of Passion, Excellence, Integrity and Support.
Important dates
- 1 October 2025: Nominations open
- 1 December 2025: Nomination window closes at midnight
- December 2025: Shortlisting
- January 2026: Shortlisters announced
- 12 February 2026: Awards ceremony
