National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (NAW) launched yesterday (11th February) with a parliamentary reception hosted in the historic Speakers House, House of Commons.
Hosted by the Speaker of the House, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the event also celebrated all finalists who have been nominated in the FE Week / AELP Apprenticeship Training Awards.
Sharron Robbie MBE, CEO at the Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network (DCTPN), said: “To be part of the judging panel has been a huge privilege. The standard of nominations has gone up year on year, with the FE sector showing just what an amazing job it does in terms of Apprenticeship provision.”
The South West was well-represented at the event, which heard keynote addresses from the Speaker of the House and from the Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, who acknowledged the excellence in apprenticeships and training. The Minister also urged the sector to amplify the benefits of training and skills, especially via apprenticeships.
Local training providers and employers who have been shortlisted as finalists in the Awards are:
- Exeter College – Innovation in Training DeliveryÂ
- University of Exeter – Sustainability in Training & ApprenticeshipsÂ
- GWR – Employer Commitment to Apprenticeships & TrainingÂ
- HIT Training – Excellence in English & Maths Skills DevelopmentÂ
- Learning Curve Group – Training Provider of the Year
- Pendennis Shipyard – Large Employer of the Year
- Truro & Penwith College – Apprenticeship Provider of the Year
Hayley McKinstry, Director of Business Partnerships and Apprenticeships, Truro & Penwith College, said: “I was thrilled to be invited to the Speakers House for the Parliamentary Reception as a finalist in the Provider of the Year category.
“This is a huge accolade for Truro & Penwith College, and we were super proud to be attending such a perfect celebration of excellence in education and skills.”
Winners will be announced in March in Liverpool at the National conference.
