Cornwall
Apprenticeship
Awards 2026
The landmark tenth anniversary event will take place at the iconic Eden Project on Friday 06 February 2026. Nominations are now open and will close on 20 October.
celebrating 10-years of exceptional achievement
Truro and Penwith College, supported with Headline sponsors Hertzian and joined by Award Partners; CORMAC, Cornwall Manufacturers Group, Watson Marlow, Media Partners Business Cornwall and Imerys Minerals, and sponsors from across the local and national business community, is pleased to open nominations for the 2026 Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards.
2026 marks the very special 10-year anniversary of the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards with the high-profile awards evening again celebrating exceptional achievement across 15 categories on Friday 06 February.
The 2026 Awards will see the introduction of the brand-new Rising Star Award, recognising Apprentices under the age of 21 for exceptional contributions to their employer and commitment to their studies as they start their quality career journey.
Award favourites Achiever of the Year and the coveted Cornwall's Apprentice of the Year will return alongside eight dedicated sector categories for apprentices, with the event focusing on the positive impact apprenticeships are having on future skills as they equip learners and workplaces with the tools to succeed, move with future economic developments and boost businesses across the county and beyond.
Employers, large and small, will again be recognised alongside Academic and Workplace Mentors for delivering and supporting Cornwall's top apprenticeship training programmes, offering learners outstanding opportunities to develop professionally and personally, while making valued contributions to their workplace, sector and the wider Cornish economy.
MPs Jayne Kirkham, Noah Law and Perran Moon with Principal Martin Tucker and Director of Apprenticeships Hayley McKinstry
Tom Heap picks up Heathcare and Early Years Apprentice of the Year from Cathie Kessell, from sponsors Cornwall Opportunities
Sarah Collet wins Nursing and Clinical Apprentice of the Year, picking up her trophy and certificate from Louise Rowbotham from category sponsors Duchy Hospital
Nominations are now open!
Anyone can nominate including employers, friends, family members and colleagues. Apprentices can even nominate themselves and it's completely free to enter.
Categories
The 2026 Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards will see Apprentices and Employers awarded across 15 categories.
Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise exceptional apprentices who are making quality contributions to their employer while finding their futures in a range of sectors:
- Business & Professional - Sponsored by Dales Central Motors - Dales Cornwall Van Centre
- Construction & Trade - Sponsored by Coastline Housing
- Digital & IT - Sponsored by Cornwall Council
- Engineering, Manufacturing & Automotive - Sponsored by Imerys Minerals Ltd
- Hair & Beauty - Sponsorship available
- Nursing, Healthcare & Education - Sponsored by Go South West - Go Cornwall BusÂ
- Hospitality - Sponsorship available
- Land-based - Sponsored by Cormac
- Large Employer of the Year (>250 employees) - Sponsored by Seasalt Cornwall
- SME Employer of the Year (<250 employees) - Sponsored by Eden Project
Employer of the Year Awards are presented to employers who offer outstanding apprenticeship programmes that offer learners exceptional quality and opportunities in the infancy of their careers, setting the benchmark for others to follow.
- Workplace Mentor of the Year - Sponsored by Inn Cornwall
- Academic Mentor of the Year - Sponsored by Cornwall Opportunities
Mentor of the Year Awards recognise the very best colleagues, training advisors and lecturers who go above and beyond to support apprentices and ensure they experience a quality start to their career.
- Rising Star - Sponsored by Cornwall Manufacturers Group
A brand-new award, introduced as part of the 10-year anniversary event, that will recognise an Apprentice under the age of 21 who has made exceptional contributions to their employer, enjoyed a fantastic start to their quality career and displayed admirable commitment to academic studies.Â
- Achiever of the Year - Sponsorship available
Recognising apprentices who have overcome personal challenges or adversity to successfully complete their apprenticeship training and make valuable contributions to their employer. Apprentices from the sector categories above will be automatically entered for this award if their nomination shows evidence of such achievement.Â
- Cornwall's Apprentice of the Year 2026 - Hertzian
The top-three nominees from all apprentice categories will be automatically shortlisted for this award. The apprentice that judges score highest across the whole event will scoop the coveted title of Cornwall's Apprentice of the Year 2026.
Who is eligible for nomination?
Nominations are accepted from anyone including employers, friends, family members and colleagues. Employers and apprentices can even nominate themselves.
The free to enter process is open to anyone who has taken part in or provided Apprenticeship training since June 2024, regardless of their training provider. The business's head office or main business premises should be based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.
If a business is sponsoring a category, they will only judge categories where no representatives from their business have been nominated.
The Awards evening
The tenth annual Awards will take place in the Gallery room at The Eden Project.
Reception: Guests will be welcomed by members of staff from the College and Eden Project and receive a welcome drink on arrival before the doors open for the main event.
Dinner: Chefs from across Eden Project kitchens and restaurants will come together to design, prepare and serve a stunning dinner that will showcase seasonal ingredients, some of which have been harvested from Eden's gardens.
Awards:Â The inspirational stories of up to 45 nominees will be shared across all 15 categories before our sponsors take the stage to present the awards.
Click above to watch our short film showcasing highlights from the awards evening.
Our sponsors
A huge thank you to our sponsors from across the local and national business community, without whom the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards would not be possible.
