The Sheffield College celebrates best in class apprenticeship award win

The Sheffield College has been named as one of the best in class at this year’s Apprenticeship and Training Awards.

The college won the Best New Apprenticeship Programme category for its work with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Apprenticeship and Training Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of UK employers and training providers.

Organised by FE Week and AELP in association with City & Guilds, the awards comprise 19 categories which received more than 650 nominations.

The winners were announced during a ceremony at the Apprenticeships and Training Conference in Liverpool on 3rd March 2026. 

Tom Sutton, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Sheffield College, said: “I feel so proud that the work we are doing has earned recognition on a national stage.

“This award win signifies the strength of the programme developed in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. But what matters most is the impact on our apprentices who have the opportunity to secure ongoing employment with the largest organisation in the city.”

The PROUD Apprenticeship programme aims to attract new and diverse talent into the NHS for administration roles. So far, 35 apprentices have been recruited. Developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with The Sheffield College, the programme takes an inclusive recruitment approach.

Its aim is to give those with limited experience or qualifications an opportunity to succeed within the NHS when given the right support and environment. The programme does this 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.

Karen Vella, Learning, Education and Staff Development Director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to see this impactful apprenticeship programme getting national recognition. It is such a great example of collaborative working between our organisations.”

Developing strong partnerships that provide skills solutions, and being the education provider of choice as well as a trusted partner in the city and region, is a key commitment outlined in the college’s Strategic Plan 2025 to 2030.

Apprenticeships enable young people and adults to earn as they learn, study for a qualification and start or progress in employment or a career. Apprenticeships are available in a range of professions and industries from business and engineering to health and social care and leadership.

Visit Apprenticeships+ at The Sheffield College to find out more.

Pictured: The Sheffield College and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust staff celebrate at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards. Photo credit: Apprenticeship and Training Awards.