Apprentice Awards open for nominations
for Perth & Kinross
Celebrating the achievements of local apprentices and the employers who support them will take centre stage this autumn, at an awards ceremony which will shine a spotlight on the power of work-based learning to transform lives and strengthen the local economy.
The Apprentice Awards for Perth and Kinross 2026, developed in partnership by Perth and Kinross Council, Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities and UHI Perth, opened for entries on Monday 11 May and will close on Friday 19 June 2026.
The awards aim to highlight the value of apprenticeships to individuals, businesses and the wider economy, and to encourage more local nominations for the national Scottish Apprenticeship Awards later this year.
Award categories include:
• Foundation Apprentice of the Year
• Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 5) of the Year
• Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 6+) of the Year
• Graduate Apprentice of the Year
• Apprentice Mentor of the Year
• Apprentice Employer of the Year
Winners will be announced at a celebration event in early September, ahead of the national awards.
Apprenticeships in Perth and Kinross continue to thrive, with 955 Modern Apprentices in training as of September 2025, supported by Skills Development Scotland. A strong 79.6% achievement rate reflects the quality of local provision and the real difference that effective partnership working is making across the area.
Aimee Leith, National Training Programme Coordinator at UHI Perth, said: “UHI Perth is delighted to continue our support for the awards in their second year. The evolution of the event reflects the growing profile and impact of the awards across the region. Strong partnership working remains at the heart of this initiative, and we are proud to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and employers who are helping to build a skilled, future-ready workforce. Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing talent, strengthening local businesses and supporting inclusive economic growth throughout Perth and Kinross.”
Thomas Glen, Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross, said: “As a major local employer, we have seen for ourselves the importance and impact of Modern Apprenticeships in looking to the future of the organisation and how we can provide real opportunities for young people to learn and earn, and progress their skills and experience in a meaningful way.
“Last year’s inaugural Apprentice Awards highlighted the diversity of talented Modern Apprentices in many different economic sectors of Perth and Kinross, and I very much look forward to this year’s celebration of apprentices and employers committed to making a difference.”
Maxine Scott of Skills Development Scotland said: “Apprenticeships support individuals, employers and Perthshire’s economy offering high-quality opportunities for people to gain valuable skills that support them throughout their career and meet local industry demands now and for the future.”
Lesley English, Regional Lead, Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities, said: DYW Tay Cities’ continued involvement in the Apprentice Awards for Perth & Kinross reflects our belief that celebrating apprenticeship success inspires future talent, promotes excellence and reinforces the value of skills development. As a key partner, supporting these awards demonstrates our commitment to recognising outstanding talent, celebrating achievement and showcasing the investment local businesses make in the future workforce. The awards provide an important platform to highlight the positive impact apprentices and employers have across industries in our local community.”
Sponsorship Opportunities - for enquiries about being part of these awards as a sponsor, please reach out to SarahRoss@pkc.gov.uk.
Submit a nomination:
• Apprentice Nomination Form