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.

TOP APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYERS ANNOUNCED

July 2026

It’s finally time! We’ll invite all employers who have successfully ranked on The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and The Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers to attend the awards ceremony.

Co-hosted by the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship and taking place in Summer 2025, the awards ceremony is a great chance to celebrate your achievements alongside your fellow best apprenticeship employers.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

LIVE BROADCAST EVENT

Revealing the Top Apprenticeship Employers on July 2026

In July 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 on September 2026

In September 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 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.

Employers will be formally recognised, with certificates presented to each ranked organisation. Selected employers and apprentices will also be invited to take part in short on-stage moments celebrating their journeys and achievements.

Further details will be shared with ranked employers closer to the event.