Entry FAQs

What is The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers?

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers is the new league table of the leading apprenticeship employers in England. It has been developed by the National Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with High Fliers Research.

Why are the rankings being introduced?

As more and more organisations in England choose to employ apprentices to develop their workforce, the new rankings will recognise the employers that are making the greatest commitment to apprenticeships and benchmark successful apprenticeship employment in different industries and business sectors.

What are the minimum entry requirements for employers?

Employers entering for the new rankings must have 250 employees or more and have been employing a minimum of 25 apprentices in England in March 2020.

How will employers be assessed?

Employers will provide details of the number of apprentices they currently employ, the number of new apprenticeships they have created over the last 12 months, the diversity of these new apprentices, and the progression of their apprentices onto further apprenticeships and employment. This data will be used to calculate the rankings for The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2020.

Can we enter if my organisation doesn't meet the minimum entry requirements?

Entries cannot be accepted from employers that don't have 250 employees or more and weren't employing at least 25 apprentices in England in March 2020.

My organisation hasn't recruited any new apprentices over the last 12 months, can we still enter?

Yes, provided your organisation meets the minimum entry requirements. The rankings take into account several different aspects of apprenticeship employment, not just recruitment of new apprentices.

Are we able to enter if we employ apprentices in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Entries for the rankings should only refer to apprentices employed in England. Apprentices employed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland cannot be included.

Should I submit a separate entry for each part of my organisation?

Only one entry is allowed per employer. A subsidiary company may apply on behalf of the parent group, but this then excludes the parent group from applying. More than one subsidiary of the parent group may enter, as long as the entry references only the apprenticeship programme that is delivered wholly by that subsidiary.

How can I submit an entry?

Entries must be submitted using the Entry Form on www.topapprenticeshipemployers.co.uk

What is the cost of entering?

For 2020, it is free of charge - there is no cost for employers to enter.

Can I email my entry instead?

No, entries must be made on the official website and cannot be accepted in other ways.

What is the entry deadline?

In light of the continuing Coronavirus crisis, the entry deadline has been extended to 5pm on Friday 5th June, to give employers more time to complete their entries.

Do I have to answer all the questions on the entry form?

It is important to include as much information as possible on the entry form and all questions need to be completed.

Will the data I submit remain confidential?

Information supplied in entries that are ranked in The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers may be published or announced at the launch event for the rankings and in subsequent publicity associated with the rankings. Commercially sensitive information will not be shared.

How are my personal details going to be used?

The personal information you submit in your entry will be used by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), including the National Apprenticeship Service, its research partner High Fliers Research and its event management agency, to process and communicate with you about your entry and the launch event for The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

My organisation doesn't have a Companies House number, does that matter?

If your organisation isn't registered at Companies House, for example because it is a partnership or you are a sole trader, then you should leave this box blank.

What is the telephone interview for?

The follow-up telephone interview forms part of the independent verification process for all entries for The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Does everybody need to do a telephone interview?

It is a requirement of entry that employers agree to take part in the telephone interview.

When will the telephone interview take place?

After your entry has been submitted, you will be contacted by a researcher to arrange a convenient time for the telephone interview, which will typically take place within 2-4 weeks of your original entry.

What happens during the telephone interview?

You will speak to a researcher and the interview will include a short discussion about the data that you provided in your entry. This will usually last 10-15 minutes.

How will the new rankings be announced?

The new rankings will be announced at a special event later in 2020.

Can I attend the launch event?

Employers who enter the award will be invited to attend the launch event. More details will be sent directly to you nearer the time.