February 2026: Entry form is now open
HOW TO BECOME A TOP APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYER
In 2026, there are two Top Apprenticeship Employer rankings you can apply for:
THE TOP 100
APPRENTICESHIP
EMPLOYERS
For employers with:
250+ employees
10+ apprentices
THE TOP 50 SME
APPRENTICESHIP
EMPLOYERS
For employers with:
Between 10 and 249 employees
3+ apprentices
Both rankings are brought to you by
HOW TO ENTER
You can nominate yourself to become a Top Apprenticeship Employer in three simple steps:
Step 1: Make sure you're eligible
Step 2: Encourage your apprentices to leave reviews (by 1st May 2026)
Step 3: Fill out the entry form (by 1st May 2026)
The final rankings of the Top Apprenticeship
Employers will be announced in July 2026.
STEP 1
MAKE SURE
YOU’RE ELIGIBLE
Before you start the entry process, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you have 250+ employees…
Do you currently employ at least 10 apprentices?
This includes all school and college leavers and apprentices
This means you’re eligible to become a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer.
If you have between 10 and 249 employees…
Do you currently employ at least 3 apprentices?
This includes all school and college leavers and apprentices
This means you’re eligible to become a Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employer.
STEP 2
ENCOURAGE YOUR APPRENTICES TO LEAVE REVIEWS
by 1st May 2026
The next step is to ensure that you have enough independent reviews from your apprentices on Higherin.com
If you have 250+ employees (including at least 10 apprentices), the minimum number of apprenticeship reviews required is 10.
If you have between 10 and 249 employees (including at least 3 apprentices), the minimum number of apprenticeship reviews required is 1.
The deadline for apprenticeship reviews is 1st May 2026. Read more about reviews and the ranking criteria for the Top Apprenticeship Employers rankings in our FAQs section.
STEP 3
FILL OUT THE
ENTRY FORM
by 1st May 2026
The last step is to fill out the entry form.
The entry form should take around 15 minutes to complete. You will be asked to supply details about your business as well as the number of apprentices you currently employ.
All information will be handled confidentially and will strictly adhere to our Privacy Policy.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
LIVE BROADCAST EVENT
Revealing the Top Apprenticeship Employers in Summer 2026
The final rankings for The Top 100 and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers will be revealed during a live broadcast event.
Co-hosted by the Government and Higherin, the live broadcast event brings together employers from across the UK to recognise and celebrate organisations delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes.
The event will include insights from the Government and industry leaders, reflections on the year’s rankings, and the official reveal of the employers ranked in both lists.
All employers who successfully rank will be invited to attend.
CELEBRATION EVENT
Celebrating the Top Apprenticeship Employers in Autumn 2026
Employers who rank in the Top Apprenticeship Employers will be invited to attend a dedicated in-person celebration event to mark their achievement.
The prestigious event brings together representatives from each ranked organisation, alongside leaders from across the apprenticeship and skills landscape, to recognise success and reflect on the impact of high-quality apprenticeship programmes.
Further details will be shared with ranked employers closer to the event.
TIMELINE OF KEY DATES
1st May 2026: Deadline for apprentice reviews on Higherin.com
1st May 2026: Entry form closes at 23:59
June 2026: Ranked employers notified via email
July 2026: Live broadcast event announcing the Top 100 and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers
September 2026: In-person celebration event for the Top 100 and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers
GOT ANY QUESTIONS?
From eligibility to how the table works, check out our comprehensive FAQs guide here
READY TO GET STARTED?
Submit your entry for Top Apprenticeship Employers 2026