At Apprenticeship Connect, we are passionate about helping learners and businesses thrive through high-quality apprenticeship training. Our annual AC Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate their exceptional effort dedication, innovation and excellence within apprenticeships.
With nearly 70 nominations received across our learner and employer award categories this year, the competition has been incredible. It’s been inspiring to see such dedication to apprenticeships and we are excited to celebrate the achievements of outstanding learners and employers once again.
We are delighted to announce we have finalised our grading and the category shortlists are now confirmed!
Read on to find out who made the shortlist for our AC Awards 2025…
Learner awards
Marsha Hicks Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates learners who have overcome significant challenges, produced outstanding work and have made an exceptional contribution to their workplace.
The nominees are:
- Claire Thomas – HR Support Level 3
- Emilee Brickles – Business Administrator Level 3
- Sadie Schimmefennig – Recruitment Consultant Level 3
Sector Apprentice of the Year
This category celebrates learners that have produced outstanding work on-programme and have had a direct impact on their employers. This category is recognised through sector-specific awards.
Business Apprentice of the Year
The nominees are:
- Abdul Latiff – Business Administrator Level 3
- Georgia Ahern – Business Administrator Level 3
- Isabella Davis – Business Administrator Level 3
- Jemma Schlechter – Business Administrator Level 3
- Lucy Knowles – Business Administrator Level 3
Recruitment and HR Apprentice of the Year
The nominees are:
- Amy Phillips – Recruitment Resourcer Level 2
- Daisy Henry – Recruitment Consultant Level 3
- Lily Morl – Recruitment Resourcer Level 2
- Matthew Penfold – Recruitment Consultant Level 3
- Sofia Gullo – Recruitment Consultant Level 3
Teaching and Early Years Apprentice of the Year
The nominees are:
- Alexa Miller – Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
- Angel Bryan – Early Years Educator Level 3
- Ciann Antoni – Early Years Educator Level 3
- Joanne King – Early Years Educator Level 3
- Susan Goodbrand – Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
Employer awards
Newcomer of the Year
This category celebrates the new partnerships we’ve built with employers in 2024 and how they have demonstrated commitment to supporting apprenticeships within their organisation.
The nominees are:
Sector Employer of the Year
This category celebrates the dedication of our employers to apprenticeships. Similarly to our learner award category this is also recognised with sector-specific awards.
Business Employer of the Year
The nominees are:
Recruitment and HR Employer of the Year
The nominees are:
Teaching and Early Years Employer of the Year
The nominees are:
- Acorn Day Nursery (Forestdale)
- Funshine (Eden Park)
- Jack in the Box Kings Langley
- Little Smarties
- The Nurture Nest LTD
Our roadshow event will be taking place across March where the winners of each category will be visited in person by an AC representative to announce they have won an award.
To follow along with our journey across the country this March don’t forget to follow us on social media!
