The Sheffield College is a finalist in the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026

9th January 2026

The Sheffield College is a national finalist in the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026.

Around 90 organisations have been named in the awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of employers and training providers from across the UK.

Organised by FE Week and AELP in association with City & Guilds, the awards recognise those who are shaping a highly skilled, inclusive and future-ready workforce through their commitment to apprenticeships, wider training and development.

The college has been shortlisted in the Best New Apprenticeship category for its work with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The PROUD Apprenticeship programme aims to attract new and diverse talent into the NHS for administration roles. So far, 34 apprentices have been recruited.

Developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with The Sheffield College, the programme commenced in 2024.

It has sought to take an inclusive recruitment approach by removing barriers to employment to young people, under-represented communities and those with a learning difficulty or disability.

A key priority was to develop skilled, confident, and values-led employees who embody the Trust’s PROUD values – Patient first, Respectful, Ownership, Unity and Deliver – and address workforce challenges across departments.

Tom Sutton, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Sheffield College, said: “Working together, we have developed a new model designed to open employment opportunities to people who reflect the diversity of the city it serves. 

“Our vision was to give individuals with limited experience or qualifications a genuine opportunity to succeed within the NHS when given the right support and environment. 

“The development, implementation and delivery of the PROUD Apprenticeship programme has been a true team effort. We are so proud of our apprentices and excited to learn from this new model to see how we can develop it further.”

Amanda Milthorpe, Learning Education and Development Coordinator, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Working in partnership with The Sheffield College has allowed us to collaborate on the recruitment process. Providing information sessions and application and interview guidance really sets people up for a positive experience with the NHS. 

“Not only is the recruitment process more inclusive, we have added to the content to give this apprenticeship programme a real NHS focus. The results have been brilliant with some fantastic people moving into permanent roles with us.”

In February 2026, all of the awards finalists will be formally recognised at a special parliamentary reception hosted by former education secretary Baroness Morgan. 

The winners will be announced during a national ceremony at the Apprenticeships and Training Conference on 3rd March 2026. 

Apprenticeships enable young people and adults to earn as they learn, study for a qualification and start or progress in employment or a career.

They are offered in a range of professions and industries from business and professional, and engineering, to health and social care, and leadership and management. 

Apprenticeships+ is the home of apprenticeships at The Sheffield College. Visit www.sheffcol.ac.uk to find out more.

Pictured: Tom Sutton, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Sheffield College.