Nominations are now open for the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards 2027. Organisers are calling on businesses, apprentices and mentors across the county to share their success stories ahead of next year's celebration of apprenticeship excellence.
Hosted by Truro and Penwith College, the awards return for an eleventh year on Friday 5 February 2027. They will launch Cornwall's National Apprenticeship Week celebrations and recognise outstanding achievements in apprenticeship training across a range of sectors.
This year's awards feature 16 categories, including a new Small Employer of the Year Award for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The category was created in response to the growing popularity of employer-focused awards, giving smaller organisations their own platform to showcase how apprenticeships impact their workforce. The Rising Star Apprentice of the Year Award, introduced in 2026, also returns. It recognises exceptional apprentices aged 21 and under.
Returning categories include Apprentice Achiever of the Year, which honours apprentices who have overcome significant challenges or adversity, and the prestigious Cornwall's Apprentice of the Year Award, which crowns the county's top apprentice. The Mentor of the Year Award will again recognise the contribution of training and workplace support staff.
Nominations are being accepted online for all categories at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA. The deadline is 4pm on Monday 19 October 2026. Eligible nominees include any Cornwall-based apprentice, employer or mentor involved in apprenticeship training since June 2025, regardless of which college or training provider they are associated with. Applicants must submit short responses of 150 to 200 words for each judging criterion, explaining why the nominee deserves recognition. More than 40 nominees are expected to be shortlisted and will receive a complimentary ticket to the ceremony, which will again be held at the Eden Project.
The awards continue to attract strong backing from Cornwall's business community. Technology company Hertzian returns as headline sponsor, with Cornwall Manufacturers Group as award partner and Business Cornwall as media partner. Imerys Minerals will again sponsor the event trophies, and Boosters will provide commemorative gift bags for guests.
Reflecting on the importance of the awards, Christopher Weavill, Co-Founder and CEO of Hertzian, said: "At Hertzian, we're proud to sponsor the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards because we strongly believe in recognising and supporting the exceptional talent being developed across Cornwall.
"We're a people-first organisation and we know apprenticeships help people build practical skills, confidence and long-term careers. Supporting initiatives such as this reflects our ongoing commitment to nurturing future talent and contributing to the continued growth of Cornwall's thriving business and technology sectors."
The 2026 awards highlighted inspirational achievements from apprentices and employers across the county. Holly Doran from the Eden Project was named Cornwall's Apprentice of the Year 2026 after demonstrating exceptional dedication to her studies and career. Judges praised her commitment, which included living in a self-renovated van to reduce commuting time and complete work months ahead of schedule.
Tamsin Allen, from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, won both Apprentice Achiever of the Year and Digital & IT Apprentice of the Year. She changed careers while managing a chronic health condition and family life. Her work on a pilot project helped reduce patient stays and delivered savings of £75,000 to the Trust.
Ella Bardgett of Cormac became the first recipient of the Rising Star Apprentice of the Year Award. Judges recognised her maturity, project management skills and commitment to sustainability. Employer winners in 2026 included Cornwall Group, which secured Large Employer of the Year, and digital agency Hiyield, which took home the SME Employer of the Year title.
Carl Riding, Principal of Truro and Penwith College, said: "We are thrilled to open nominations for the eleventh annual Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards. I thoroughly enjoyed attending the ten-year anniversary Awards last year and am looking forward to returning as Principal in 2027.
"The College is incredibly proud to host the Awards on behalf of Cornwall's training providers and employers, and of the high regard in which the event is held across the county. We look forward to celebrating the exceptional apprentices, employers and mentors who make such a valuable contribution to Cornwall's communities and economy on Friday, 5 February."
Further information about the awards and nomination process is available at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA. Anyone seeking guidance on submitting a nomination can email [email protected].
Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards 2027 Open for Nominations