This award recognises an outstanding awarding organisation that has demonstrated excellence in their practice. This may be the result of a major new development in the organisation, its qualifications, or the way that it works with customers and/or learners. It may be because the organisation has made a major contribution to the development of the qualifications and assessment industry or to the wider education and skills sector. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, employer engagement, learner success, and commitment to quality assurance.

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Provides clear evidence of high-quality qualifications and assessments that meet industry and learner needs.
• Demonstrates commitment to innovation and best practice.
• Highlights proven impact on e.g., learners, employers, training providers, the qualifications and assessment industry, and the wider FE and Skills sector.

Information and/or examples of evidence you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Impact on learners: Metrics or case studies showing how qualifications and assessments have led to improved learner outcomes.
• Customer feedback: Feedback from learners, providers, or employers about the quality and effectiveness of qualifications and assessments.
• Evidence of impact on sector and/or community: information and/or examples demonstrating how the awarding organisation has elevated the profile of qualifications and assessment and/or created meaningful change within the wider community.
• Examples of success: Examples of business excellence such as employee satisfaction, increased turnover, expansion in current markets, entry into new markets.
  

This award celebrates an SME end-point assessment organisation that excels in delivering high-quality, innovative end-point assessments, that meet the needs of employers and apprentices.

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Provides clear evidence of effective assessment processes and compliance. 
• Demonstrates strong employer and provider partnerships leading to positive learner experiences.
• Demonstrates innovation in assessment delivery. 
• Highlights proven impact on e.g., apprentices, employers, training providers, the qualifications and assessment industry, and the wider FE and Skills sector.

Information and/or examples of evidence you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Feedback from e.g., employers and providers about the EPAO's services and its impact on apprenticeships, learners, and the wider FE and Skills sector. 
• Business growth data: Information on how the organisation has scaled or improved its operations.
• Staff development: Information on how the EPAO invests in the professional development of its small team. 
• Innovations in assessment: Details of any new technologies, systems, or practices introduced to improve assessment delivery.
  

This award recognises a large EPAO that has made a significant impact on the apprenticeship landscape through scale, innovation, and end point assessments, that meets the needs of employers and apprentices.

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Shows strong evidence of high-quality, large-scale assessment delivery. 
• Demonstrates learner, employer and provider satisfaction. 
• Shows measurable impact on apprenticeship success rates. 
• Highlights proven impact on e.g., apprentices, employers, training providers, the qualifications and assessment industry, and the wider FE and Skills sector.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Operational scale: Information on how the EPAO is managing large-scale assessments, including the number of apprenticeships assessed.
• Partnership success: Data showing successful partnerships with employers and training providers.
• Improved outcomes: Improved pass rates, employer satisfaction, or apprentice progression statistics. 
• Innovations in assessment: Details of any new technologies, systems, or practices introduced to improve assessment delivery. 
• Testimonials: Feedback from e.g., employers and providers about the EPAO's services and its impact on apprenticeships, apprentices, and the wider FE and Skills sector.
  

This award highlights a regulated qualification that has had a transformative impact on learners, employers, or the wider qualifications and assessment industry. The Qualification of The Year will demonstrate the important contribution that qualifications make to the wider education and skills sector.  

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Shows clear evidence of uptake and relevance to industry needs. 
• Demonstrates measurable learner success and career progression. 
• Shows evidence of research and market testing to ascertain the market need for the qualification. 
• Demonstrates continuous improvement and/or best practice which might include activities that have strengthened the credibility of the awarding sector.  

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Learner impact: Data showing how the qualification has improved skills or employability for learners. 
• Employer feedback: Feedback from employers who have benefited from employees gaining this qualification. 
• Adaptability: Evidence of how the qualification has been updated or adapted to meet changing industry needs. If a new qualification, evidence of market need identified prior to development.
  

This award recognises an organisation, board, or team that has demonstrated outstanding governance and compliance within an AO/EPAO.  

Please tell us why your organisation, board, or team deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Demonstrates measurable substantive impact on organisational culture and performance of the organisation.
• Demonstrates best practice in governance and strategic oversight. 
• Shows enhancement of the reputation and standing of the qualifications and assessment industry, including in eyes of regulators.

Information and/or examples of evidence you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Governance improvements: Information detailing robust governance policies and procedures that have led to improvements in service delivery or learner outcomes. 
• Transparency: Examples of how the organisation demonstrates transparency in its decision-making processes. 
• Impact on stakeholders: Feedback from internal and external stakeholders including regulators on the positive influence of governance improvements. 
• Examples of how the governance organisation has enhanced the reputation of the qualifications and assessment industry.
  

This award recognises a strong and effective partnership between an awarding organisation/end-point awarding organisation and an employer, resulting in exceptional workforce development and skills impact. Note you should have sought and confirmed support from your partner employer organisation before making this award submission.

Please tell us why your organisation and employer partner deserve to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Shows clear evidence of a successful and impactful collaboration
• Demonstrates learner success and upskilling through partnership.
• Highlights clear benefits to both employer and awarding organisation.
• Demonstrates excellent practice and/or leading-edge ideas.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Collaboration examples: Case studies or examples of how the AO has worked with employers to develop tailored solutions.
• Employer satisfaction: Feedback from employers about the quality and effectiveness of the relationship.
• Learner outcomes and feedback: Positive feedback from leaners and statistics or case studies showing how the collaboration has led to positive outcomes for learners or apprentices. 
• Partnership longevity: Information on long-term, sustainable relationships with employers that have resulted in best practice in qualifications and assessment
  

This award celebrates an outstanding partnership between an awarding organisation/end-point assessment organisation and a provider, leading to enhanced learning experiences and improved learner outcomes. Note you should have sought and confirmed support from your partner provider organisation before making this award submission.

Please tell us why your organisation and provider partner deserve to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Demonstrates collaborative working and innovation. 
• Shows clear evidence of strong learner success rates.
  
• Demonstrates clear employer and provider satisfaction.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Joint initiatives: Information on collaborative projects or initiatives that have led to improved outcomes. 
• Provider testimonials: Feedback from training providers about the effectiveness of the relationship with the AO. 
• Impact on learners: evidence such as case studies showing how this relationship has benefited learners in terms of progression and success. 
• Process improvements: Examples of how the AO and provider have worked together to streamline processes or best practice in delivery.
  

This award recognises a strong and effective partnership between an awarding organisation/end-point assessment organisation and a supplier. The entry may be submitted by the full member AO/EPAO or the supplier, however support must have been confirmed by both organisations prior to submission and the AO/EPAO must be a full member of FAB.

Please tell us why your organisation and supplier partner deserve to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Provides clear evidence of a successful and impactful collaboration.
• Demonstrates impact on learners & training providers – Tangible benefits to learners, training providers, and other stakeholders as a result of the partnership. 
• Shows clear evidence of innovation & continuous improvement including joint initiatives, new technologies, or process enhancements that have improved efficiency, accessibility, or quality.
• Highlights value creation – A clear demonstration of how the partnership has added value, such as cost-effectiveness, enhanced services, or a competitive advantage in the market. 
• Demonstrates operational excellence – Seamless integration of services, timely delivery, and high standards in meeting regulatory and industry requirements.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Collaboration examples: Case studies or examples of how the AO has worked with a supplier to develop tailored solutions. 
• Employer and provider satisfaction: Feedback from employers and providers about the quality and effectiveness of the relationship.
• Learner outcomes and feedback: Positive feedback from leaners and statistics or case studies showing how the collaboration has led to positive outcomes for learners or apprentices.
• Partnership longevity: Information on long-term, sustainable relationships with suppliers that have resulted in best practice in qualifications and assessment
  

This award recognises an awarding organisation that has successfully expanded and delivered expanded UK qualifications into international markets. It celebrates organisations that have demonstrated excellence in global partnerships, market impact, and the promotion of UK qualifications abroad.

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Provides clear evidence of global reach & excellence – Evidence of successful market entry and/or expansion, partnerships, or growth in international territories.
  
• Shows clear impact on learners & employers – Data or case studies showcasing improved learner outcomes, workforce development, or employer satisfaction internationally. 
• Provides clear evidence of innovation in export strategy – Demonstration of best in class unique approaches to qualification delivery, localisation, or market adaptation.
• Shows evidence of sustainability & long-term success – Evidence of ongoing success, strategic partnerships, or government/institutional collaborations.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Global Reach & Expansion – Examples of how partnerships with overseas institutions or governments have lead to both market entry success and growth in learner/provider numbers and/or improved learner performance. 
• Impact on Learners & Employers – Feedback and/or data showing improved skills, employment rates, and industry standards through exported qualifications.
• Innovation in Export Strategy – Information about adaptations for international markets, use of digital solutions, and success stories overcoming market entry challenges. 
• Sustainability & Long-Term Success – Evidence of lasting partnerships, growth trends, and government collaborations supporting UK qualifications abroad.
  

This award celebrates innovative approaches within your awarding organisation/end point assessment organisation, recognising the ideas that have had the greatest impact on the organisation or wider sector. This might be the innovation of a new product, a service, or a culture of improvement that has led to improved performance, operational effectiveness, customer engagement, learner experience, or had wider sector impact.

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Demonstrates clear innovation in assessment methodologies, technology, delivery, customer engagement, and/or operational effectiveness.
• Demonstrates positive impact on learners, employers, business performance, and/or wider sector.
• Shows clear evidence of scalability and/or best practice adoption.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Innovation examples: Demonstrations of e.g., new assessment methodologies, operational processes, and/or customer engagement activities. 
• Impact data: Metrics showing how innovations have improved efficiency, accuracy, or learner success. 
• Implementation and/or scalability: Evidence of the ability to implement or scale
  

This award celebrates organisations, teams, or individuals who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in qualifications and assessment.

When nominating an individual, please inform nominees that you are making a nomination and check that they would be happy for their nomination and outcome to be publicised. This might involve articles in the local media and social media posts.

Please tell us why your organisation, team, or individual deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Shows clear evidence of initiatives that remove barriers and support underrepresented groups. 
• Demonstrates impact on learners, employers, and/or communities. 
• Shows clear commitment to embedding inclusion within e.g., the organisation and/or qualifications design and delivery.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Inclusive practices: Examples of how the organisation or individual has implemented policies, practices, or initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. 
• Impact on underrepresented groups: Data showing positive outcomes for learners and/or employees from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds. 
• Community engagement: Examples of outreach or engagement efforts aimed at increasing diversity beyond the initial brief.
  

This award honours an individual that has made a substantial impact within their own awarding or end point assessment organisation and has had a positive impact on the wider FE and Skills sector.

Please inform nominees that you are making a nomination and check that they would be happy for their nomination and outcome to be publicised. This might involve articles in the local media and social media posts.

Please tell us why the individual deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Evidence of proven track record of influence and thought leadership.
• Demonstrates impact on strategy and business excellence within their own organisation 
• Shows clear evidence of positive impact on employees through positive role modelling and mentoring. 
• Shows clear evidence of positive relationships with partners, customers, and stakeholders.
• Shows clear evidence of promoting positive change within the wider FE and Skills sector through collaborations, influencing, and/or advocacy.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Feedback from e.g., employees, customers, partners and/or other stakeholders. 
• Influence: Demonstrated contribution to shaping policy and/or best practices. 
• Long-term impact: Examples of how the individual has consistently driven positive change at a senior or national level over time. 
• Innovation: Introduction of pioneering initiatives that have had lasting effects on their organisation.
  

This award recognises an individual within an AO/EPAO who has demonstrated excellence in their performance and personal accomplishments, and may also have inspired others in their organisation, wider sector and/or community.

Please inform nominees that you are making a nomination and check that they would be happy for their nomination and outcome to be publicised. This might involve articles in the local media and social media posts.

Please tell us why the individual deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Shows clear evidence of how the individual has exceeded expectations.
• Demonstrates proven commitment to learning and development and evidence of future aspirations. 
• Demonstrates proven track record of performance and personal accomplishment. 
• Shows clear evidence of positive impact on colleagues, customers and/or the wider community. 
• Shows clear evidence of introducing positive change and/or initiatives within their role, organisation and/or wider sector or community organisation.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Feedback from peers, managers and/or other individuals including (if appropriate) from outside the business.
• Examples of how the individual has exceeded expectations.
• Examples or information demonstrating the employee’s commitment to learning and future aspirations 
• Examples of initiatives the individual has introduced and the impact these have had.
  

This award recognises a team from a regulated AO/EPAO which has made an outstanding contribution to their organisation.

Please tell us why your team deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Shows clear evidence of achievement & performance. The team has exceeded expectations in performance and productivity and demonstrated outstanding success in their field, achieving significant goals or milestones.
• Demonstrates collaboration & teamwork. The team has displayed exceptional teamwork, communication, and cooperation and fostered a supportive and inclusive team culture. 
• Demonstrates innovation & problem-solving. The team has implemented innovative solutions to challenges or introduced new ideas/processes and has demonstrated adaptability and resilience in overcoming obstacles.
• Shows clear evidence of impact & contribution. The team has made a significant positive impact on the organisation, industry, or community and has contributed to overall growth, efficiency, or customer satisfaction. 
• Demonstrates long-term success and professionalism. The team has represented the organisation’s values and mission with excellence and demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and future growth.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Examples of how the team has exceeded performance milestones and goals. This could be though measuring achievement against predicted outcomes or project milestones being met ahead of target. 
• Evidence of good teamwork practices. This could be innovative teamwork processes and/or communication practices and sharing of good teamwork practices to other teams and partners. 
• Feedback from e.g., other individuals or teams within the organisation, customers, and/or stakeholders which show the positive impact of the team.
• Details of any challenges/setbacks and how they were overcome.
• Innovation. Details of any new policies, procedures, systems, or practices the team has introduced to improve performance and success. 
• Evidence of commitment to continuous improvement and future growth. Examples of the team’s commitment to CPD and driving to build on the current successes in the future.
  

This award recognises a team or organisation which has demonstrated outstanding commitment to delivering exceptional customer service within the qualifications and assessment sector. This award celebrates awarding organisations and end point assessment organisations that demonstrate excellence in supporting learners, providers, and employers through high-quality, timely, and responsive support, and which positively raises the profile of awarding and end point assessment organisations. 

Please tell us why your organisation deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria: 

• Shows clear evidence of customer satisfaction – the team or organisation has demonstrated outstanding customer feedback.
• Demonstrates responsiveness and communication – the team or organisation has demonstrated quick response times and fair, transparent, and inclusive communication. 
• Shows clear evidence of problem resolution and complaints handling – the team or organisation has a robust complaints procedure and has efficiently and effectively resolved customer complaints and issues.
  
• Demonstrates innovation and improvement – the team or organisation has implemented new ideas, tools, or technologies to enhance customer experience and can demonstrate continuous improvement based on customer feedback. 
• Shows clear evidence of staff development and training – staff are well trained and focus on customer centric values. 

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry: 

• Feedback from learners, providers, and/or employers such as satisfaction ratings from surveys and customer reviews. 
• Evidence of effective communication – e.g., policies and procedures which emphasise exceptional customer focus from onboarding new customers and ongoing support e.g., metrics indicating response times and information detailing inclusive modes/methods of communication. 
• Evidence of effective complaints handling – information from case studies and/or complaints metrics demonstrating effective complaints, enquiries, and appeals resolution. 
• Evidence of continuous improvement – e.g. processes detailing or examples to show learning from customer feedback (including complaints) is incorporated into the development of customer service practices. 
• Information detailing staff development and training practices – such as in-house training and induction and opportunities for staff to undertake continuous professional development and/or gain relevant customer service qualifications or skills.
  

This award recognises an outstanding learner/apprentice who has made a significant impact in promoting qualifications and assessment within their educational setting, sector or more broadly. Through their dedication, advocacy, and practical application of learning, they have helped raise awareness of the value of qualifications and encouraged others to pursue them. Please note that the learner/apprentice nominated must be on programme at the time of the award submission.

Please inform nominees that you are making a nomination and check that they would be happy for their nomination and outcome to be publicised. This might involve articles in the local media and social media posts.

Please tell us why the learner/apprentice deserves to win the award this year.

Criteria:

• Shows a proven commitment to learning & qualifications – Demonstrates a strong personal commitment to qualifications or assessment, lifelong learning, and in advocating the benefits of qualifications/EPA.
• Clear evidence of encouraging others – Supports and inspires peers, colleagues, or the wider community to engage with qualifications and assessment opportunities.
• Demonstrates impact – Demonstrates how their advocacy and efforts have led to increased awareness and participation in qualifications and assessment.

Information and/or examples you might want to refer to in your entry:

• Information on the learner/apprentice’s qualifications - Information on their personal commitment to learning and qualifications, such as the title of qualification(s) and how they have applied their learning in practice.
• Feedback – from training providers, employers or peers that demonstrate the learner/apprentice’s commitment to, and promotion of the value of qualifications/assessment. 
• Articles, blogs, or social media advocacy – Examples of how the learner/apprentice has used media to promote the value of qualifications and assessment.