RNN Group announces 2026 Employer Awards winners
Last night, we were proud to bring together our valued employer partners, colleagues and guests for a truly inspiring evening of celebration at our annual Employer Awards.
These annual awards recognise the organisations that go above and beyond in supporting our students through apprenticeships, industry placements, mentoring and innovative employer-led initiatives.
Held at The Wharncliffe Restaurant, our commercial restaurant in Rotherham, the evening was a chance to reward the employer partners that have stood out during the past academic year, from long-standing partnerships to new and emerging initiatives.
With partners from across a wide range of industries in attendance, this year’s winners and highly commended organisations reflect the very best of partnership, demonstrating how we’re working together to shape futures and strengthen the connection between education and industry.
The 2026 Award Winners
We are delighted to announce this year’s winners and highly commended organisations:
Business of the Year Supporting Apprenticeships
Recognising an employer that demonstrates outstanding commitment to developing apprentices through high-quality training, support and progression opportunities.
Winner: Abbey School
Highly Commended: Oakhill Primary Academy
Why the winners stood out:
Abbey School is a forward-thinking employer that has created an exceptional culture of professionalism, learning and achievement for apprentices. They offer a well-rounded experience across year groups, high-quality CPD and strong progression opportunities, with many apprentices moving into employment, increased responsibility or further study.
Praise for highly commended:
Oakhill Primary was acknowledged for consistently demonstrating a strong sense of partnership and a positive learning environment. Their three apprentices are thriving with predicted distinction grades, achieved thanks to consistent support and guidance from mentors.
Subcontractor of the Year
Awarded to a subcontractor that delivers high-quality provision and works in strong partnership to achieve excellent outcomes for learners.
Winner: Construction Skills People
Highly Commended: Rotherham Creative
Why the winners stood out:
Construction Skills People is a dedicated partner that consistently goes above and beyond their role as a subcontractor. They were commending for supporting with mock interviews for our learners and their willing to invest in bridging the gap between education and industry.
Praise for highly commended:
Rotherham Creative has shown great resilience and excellence this year, working alongside us as we transition to one community course per learner within each academic year. They remain dedicated to ensuring their courses are impactful and purposeful.
Employer Academy of the Year
Celebrating an employer that has partnered to design and deliver an impactful academy programme aligned to industry needs.
Winner: South Electrical
Highly Commended: Lime Tree Nursery
Why the winners stood out:
Alongside providing high quality placements and full-time apprenticeships, South Electrical has developed a standout employer academy, actively contributing to the curriculum to ensure training reflects industry needs. Their support and investment have enriched learning, built confidence and prepared learners for successful careers.
Praise for highly commended:
Lime Tree Nursery was praised for supporting EYFS T Level learners with high quality placements to boost skills and confidence, as well as creating strong career pathways for learners to progress into.
New Business Partner of the Year
Recognising a new employer partner that has quickly made a positive and meaningful impact on student opportunities and outcomes.
Winner: Cinch Connectivity Solutions
Highly Commended: Lotus Home Care
Why the winners stood out:
Worksop-based Cinch has already established a strong and supportive partnership. They have a professional and welcoming environment where apprentices benefit from dedicated development time to complete course work, senior leadership engagement and a culture of continuous learning to remain compliant.
Praise for highly commended:
Lotus Home Care was commended for its immediate and meaningful impact as a health and social care employer academy. Their investment in their current and future workforce has apprenticeship opportunities, upskilled staff in autism training, and raised standards across the care company.
Small Business Team of the Year (50 employees or less)
Celebrating a small business that has made a significant impact through strong engagement, support and commitment to student development.
Winner: IPW Building Services
Highly Commended: Bolsover Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS)
Why the winners stood out:
The small construction firm has taken on its first business admin apprentice and from the outset has provided significant support and training that has seen them progress into a full-time core team member. IPW Building Services empowers women in the construction industry and this has enabled the female apprentice to manage a multitude of complex tasks over and above their apprenticeship responsibilities, from processing wages to social media management.
Praise for highly commended:
BVCS has shown that size is no barrier to excellence. The small charity was commended for providing their level 7 apprentice with outstanding mentorship, strategic development opportunities and a supportive culture that has empowered them to thrive at the highest level with a distinction in their End Point Assessment.
Large Business Team of the Year (51 employees or more)
Recognising a large organisation that demonstrates exceptional partnership, creating wide-reaching opportunities and positive outcomes for students.
Winner: Bridon-Bakaert
Highly Commended: Dawsons
Why the winners stood out:
The Doncaster-based steel wire tech centre doesn’t just host apprentices – they weave them into the very fabric of business strategy to ensure vocational training is the primary driver of long-term success. Bridon-Bakaert continues to utilise the level 3 team leader apprenticeship to bridge skills haps and prepare their next generation of frontline management.
Praise for highly commended:
Long-time partner Dawsons was praised for continuing to value apprenticeships as a strategic pillar of business growth. They remain committed to growing their own management tier from within, using the framework on both the level 3 team leader and level 5 operations manager standards to nurture high-potential employees.
Skills for Employment Business of the Year
Awarded to an employer that has shown outstanding commitment to supporting students in developing the skills needed for employment and future success.
Winner: Flowplant
Highly Commended: TT Electronics
Why the winners stood out:
The Rotherham arm of global company Flowplant has an exceptional mentoring team who provide guidance, encouragement and real industry insight for our learners. Their support of creating meaningful learning experience has seen students build confidence, strengthen employability skills and be well-prepared for the world of work.
Praise for highly commended:
Sheffield’s TT Electronics has created a supportive environment where apprentices can thrive thanks to hands-on support. Their dedicated mentors were commended for having apprentices build confidence, refine skills, and reach their full potential.
‘We Deliver’ Partner of the Year
Recognising a partner that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes, demonstrating reliability, impact and a commitment to excellence.
Winner: KP Snacks
Highly Commended: Benchmark
Why the winners stood out:
KP Snacks have delivered on their promise to nurture talent this year. The Hellaby-based factory has seen many engineering apprentices complete their programmes ahead of schedule thanks to a supportive environment and culture that encourages ambition and excellence.
Praise for highly commended:
Benchmark were praised for sharing our belief in developing talent and building futures. The Retford based construction and architecture company has gone beyond the role of an apprenticeships employer by engaging with our colleges, giving their time to support events, and inspiring learners with enthusiasm and reliability.
‘We Have Integrity’ Partner of the Year
Celebrating a partner that demonstrates honesty, professionalism and a strong commitment to doing the right thing for students and colleagues.
Winner: Barrett Engineering Steel
Highly Commended: Mears Group
Why the winners stood out:
Barrett Engineering Steel is a company that values consistency, accountability, and the importance of doing things properly. Individual praise was given to Gareth Parkin whose thoughtful and honest approach played a big part in supporting their apprentice to progress from the level 2 customer service to level 3 business admin. He created a bespoke, ongoing plan around their individual needs and mentored them in resilience, communication and problem solving.
Praise for highly commended:
Integrity is at the heart of everything Mears do and has shaped their approach to people and community. They support their apprentices with honesty, fairness and respect, while setting a powerful example by striving to make a positive difference in the community.
‘We Are Inclusive’ Partner of the Year
Awarded to a partner that champions inclusivity, creating opportunities and supportive environments for learners from all backgrounds.
Winner: Lord Hardy Court
Highly Commended: Nexus Multi Academy Trust
Why the winners stood out:
Lord Hardy Court has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion and staff development this year. They have three health and social care apprentices, two of who have progressed into senior roles. Dedicated mentoring and access to high-quality training throughout their apprenticeships has not only supported their own career development but also improved the lives of service users.
Praise for highly commended:
As an SEN-focused organisation, Nexus has shown great dedication to breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for all. They supported a former pupil into a teaching assistant apprenticeship and continue to demonstrate a person-centred approach where every staff member is values, supported and empowered to achieve.
Innovative Business Partner of the Year
Recognising an employer that brings creativity and innovation to their partnership, enhancing learning experiences and opportunities for students.
Winner: Skills Street
Highly Commended: Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
Why the winners stood out:
This brand-new initiative in the Rother Valley has already transformed how young people engage with careers advice. Their forward-thinking approach introduced children from as young as primary age into the work of work, inspiring curiosity, building confidence and broadening aspirations in an accessible way.
Praise for highly commended:
Rotherham NHS Trust has demonstrated sustained innovation in workforce development, maintaining a strong apprenticeship pipeline despite significant challenges and adversity in recent years. Their commitment to digital learning, flexible training delivery and clear internal progression routes has enabled apprentices to develop, progress and succeed across clinical careers. Their investment in virtual wards has seen apprentices play a part in maximising patient wellness, preventing falls and reducing the strain on emergency departments.
Community Focus Business Partner of the Year
Celebrating an organisation that makes a positive difference to the wider community through engagement, outreach and support for learners.
Winner: Equans
Highly Commended: Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH)
Why the winners stood out:
Equans is an employer partner that truly cares about social value. They run multiple programmes and initiatives that make a real difference in the Rotherham community including regeneration schemes and energy-efficiency retrofits to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty. They provide various opportunities for local learners to engage in projects that strengthen comminates, investing their time, resources and expertise.
Praise for highly commended:
RDaSH was praised for going above and beyond their role in the health sector to make a positive community impact. They recently launched an initiative to train medical staff in hair, beauty and holistic treatments to enhance the wellbeing and confidence of their patients, many of whom have mental health issues or learning disabilities.
Find out more about our Employer Academies and our Apprenticeship Scheme for Employers.