Competition was fierce with the College from Cornwall beating over 600 nominations from employers and training providers.
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Truro and Penwith College is celebrating after officially being recognised as the best in the country for delivering Apprenticeships.
Competition was fierce with the College from Cornwall beating over 600 nominations from employers and training providers to be crowned Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2025 at the national Apprenticeship & Training Awards (ATA) in Liverpool.
Just this year, the College has delivered 761 apprenticeships with a 74.3% achievement rate across its Adult, Higher and Further Education apprenticeship provision, well above the latest national average of 54.3% published by the Department for Education (DfE).
The College is no stranger to national apprenticeship accolades having been recently rated Ofsted Outstanding for its delivery of apprenticeships by government inspectors and one of only five FE College’s in the UK to have been awarded ‘Expert Apprenticeship Provider’ status by the DfE.
In association with City and Guilds, the highly prestigious Apprenticeship & Training Awards, founded in 2017 by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), celebrates excellence in the UK’s apprenticeship and training sector, recognising outstanding commitment, innovation and impact on developing the workforce, with a focus on diversity, sustainability and equipping learners with essential skills for the future.
The award recognises the College’s offer of over 30 apprenticeship standards across key sectors including; Hospitality, Health, Engineering and Construction, supporting some of the county’s largest sectors. Judges highlighted apprentices benefitting from comprehensive enrichment, professional development, wellbeing support and sustainable careers.
Hayley McKinstry, Director of Partnerships and Apprenticeships at Truro and Penwith College said: “What an achievement to win such a prestigious award. I am immensely proud to lead an inspiring team who nurture talent, provide exceptional training and create business solutions.
“The College’s continued work and tenacity to support the needs of Cornish employers, in line with our Local Skills Improvement Plan, while improving the life chances of local people through quality apprenticeship careers has all come together to achieve this recognition. We’ve set the bar incredibly high for ourselves, with learner achievement rates among the best in the South West and we can’t wait to get back to work with our employer partners to continue developing some of the very best apprenticeship programmes in the country.”
Tom Lal, Business Partnerships Coordinator and Paul Green, Apprenticeship Delivery Manager, at Truro and Penwith College, collected the award at a glitzy awards night in Liverpool. Award-winning comedian and actor, Thanyai Moore (Mock the Week – BBC, Eastenders – BCC, The Duchess – Netflix), hosted the evening, taking the 700 attendees from apprenticeship and training providers across the country, through all 19 categories.
Emphasising the significance of a top UK apprenticeship provider supporting local people in Cornwall and the wider business community, Tom shared: “It will help to boost local talent development as it will increase awareness amongst students, parents and adults of the College’s exceptional apprenticeship programmes, which are tailored to meet the needs of local industries. This award is also a testament to the college’s strong relationships with local employers and this recognition will hopefully encourage more businesses to partner with the College. Winning this award will inspire confidence in apprenticeships, reinforcing their value and highlighting the rewarding career pathway that they represent.”
The College would like to congratulate fellow nominees, Cardiff and Vale College, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the Salford City College Group.
Learners and employers interested in starting their apprenticeship journey can find out more information here.
The College’s nationally leading Apprenticeship Team is available to offer help at support on 01872 305500 and apprenticeships@truro-penwith.ac.uk.
