Getting the most out of apprentices – lessons from Princess Royal Training Awards recipients

by Jan 31, 2020Alumni news

Taking on an apprentice is a big commitment with big potential. How can you get the most value out of your investment?

Some of the UK’s most-respected companies share their advice on finding, training, and retaining the best talent:

Recruit far and wide

‘Attraction plans must be comprehensive and target a diverse audience to ensure a talent pipeline into industry and to address future skills needs.’ Bentley Motors

‘A CV full of A grades doesn’t necessarily make a good apprentice. A strong work ethic, eagerness to learn and a desire to do a good job are more important.’ Dale Power Solutions Ltd

Deliver well-rounded training

‘We have realised that developing technical skills is not enough. By placing emphasis on also developing mindsets we have created apprentices who are not only technically qualified, they also act as change ambassadors within our organisation.’ Babcock International Group

Embed real value – for you and for them

‘Our early professionals are appraised on their ability to deliver value to our clients. Our programmes ensure that learners develop client-facing skills and this is put into business practice with immediate effect.’ IBM UK

Consider your future pipeline

‘Our first 12 apprentices all still work for the company and six of these are part of our management team. We believe in up-skilling apprentices and developing them into the supervisors, team leaders and directors of the business.’ A&G Precision & Sons (Aerospace engineering)

‘Even 10 years after completing their apprenticeships, we retain 85% as highly-valued technicians and professional engineers.’ XTRAC (Motorsport engineering)

Share what works

‘We work closely with other companies and government departments to share best practice. This helps to drive up standards across the industry.’ BAE Systems

‘As everyone in the industry knows, hospitality can be a very competitive market for recruitment but the hotels were able to put this to one side in order to create something really special and work together towards a bigger goal.’ Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland

These employers are all Princess Royal Training Awards recipients. Applications now open until March 2020 >

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HRH The Princess Royal discusses the diverse range of Princess Royal Training Award organisations

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the value of City & Guilds to society

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the changing world of skills

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

A decade of excellence and a room full of inspiration – Princess Royal Training Awards Skills Share 2025

On 30 April 2025, City & Guilds hosted its second-ever Skills Share event – this time at the stunning Goldsmiths’ Hall in London – marking a major milestone: 10 years of the Princess Royal Training Awards. With over 130 Award recipients in attendance, the event was not just a celebration but a forum for shared learning, inspiration and reflection on what a decade of investment in skills development really means.

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