FAQS

The Top Apprenticeship Employers is calculated based on a weighted algorithm that has been determined by the partner organisations, Higherin and the Government. The rankings measure an employers commitment to apprenticeships and the quality of their programmes. The full criteria will be released in February alongside the entry form.

The exact dates will be updated shortly. For now, please find the estimated timelines below:

January 2026 - begin encouraging reviews on Higherin.com

February/March - Full entry and nomination process opens

Summer 2026 - Results are announced

September 2026 - Celebration event

Apprenticeship reviews on Higherin.com are a verifiable, authentic method of determining how many unique apprentices are in your cohort - and also offers a window into their experience on your apprenticeship programme.

As well as using these reviews for your ranking, encouraging these reviews from your cohort comes with a range of benefits including:

• Gaining valuable insights into your schemes from the people who really matter.

• Reduce the risk of reneged offers by encouraging applications from like-minded apprentices, informed by your reviews.

• Raise awareness of your brand with 16-24 year olds across the UK.

Some suggestions from our previous Top Apprenticeship Employers include:

• Make reviews part of the end-of-programme process to ensure a broad mix of responses.

• Offer incentives, such as prize draws or vouchers, and integrate reviews into key events like awards ceremonies.

• Higherin plants a tree for every review submitted. Last year alone, apprentice reviews led to 10,000 trees being planted!

• Create a dedicated time and space for reviews in the office, such as a “Rate and Cake” session.

• If apprentices are in demanding roles, align review collection with existing surveys or initiatives to boost engagement.

• Share the workload by dividing outreach among the team and involving managers to follow up with those who haven’t submitted a review.

You can also check out our “How To Encourage Reviews” document here.

• Guide Your Apprentices – Direct your apprentices to Higherin.com, where they can create a free account and complete a review. No need for you to create a company profile - the creation of a review will automatically generate a profile if you don’t already have one.

• Encourage Participation – Explain why reviews are important, remind them their feedback is anonymous, and consider using incentives or dedicated review sessions.

• Start Early – Start the process early to give you the maximum amount of time to get your reviews in.

The Top Apprenticeship Employers aims to provide a well-rounded and dynamic picture of the apprenticeship landscape, showcasing employers who foster inclusive environments and provide opportunities for a wider range of talent. By considering the diversity of your apprenticeship cohort, we ensure that the rankings reflect employers who are committed to offering equal opportunities to individuals from all backgrounds. This approach ultimately strengthens the overall value and fairness of the rankings.

Your HR team is likely to have this data, either from recruitment records, internal reporting, or HR systems. If your apprenticeships are delivered through a training provider, they may also hold relevant diversity information. Some organisations track this data for government reporting (e.g. DfE or Ofsted), so checking past submissions may help. If there are gaps, an internal survey could provide additional insights. If in doubt, your HR team or training provider should be able to guide you.

To ensure accuracy and consistency, in 2026 the rankings will be based on apprenticeship intakes in England, using data that is independently verifiable through the Government.

While any student can submit a review, apprenticeship standards differ across the devolved nations. Each nation has its own regulatory framework, funding models, and qualification structures, making direct comparison challenging at this stage. However, we are actively working to build relationships with stakeholders in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the long-term ambition of expanding the rankings to recognise top apprenticeship employers across the whole of the UK.