The Princess Royal Training Awards proudly invite applications for 2026, encouraging innovative organisations to gain royal recognition for outstanding commitment to workplace learning and people development. Backed by HRH The Princess Royal, a passionate advocate for skills development, the Awards have become synonymous with excellence and leadership in learning and development.
LONDON – UK- 23rd Nov 2023. HRH The Princess Royal attends the City and Guild Foundation Princess Royal Training Awards 2023 at St James’s Palace.
Photo by Ian Jones.
Recognising all organisations regardless of size or sector
Launched in 2016 with the support of employers, learning experts, and assessors, the Awards celebrate organisations committed to developing their people. In 2025, a record 57 training programmes received recognition, reflecting the growing impact and high standards upheld by applicants.
Entirely free to enter and open to organisations of all sectors and sizes across the UK and Ireland, the Awards now recognise international training programmes delivered by these organisations. All applicants gain access to unparalleled support, through workshops, informal ‘tea and chat’ sessions, detailed Assessor feedback, webchat, and a new Applicant Coaching offer, all designed to guide applicants on their journey and help them to continuously improve.
Achieving the standard in the engineering sector
Many organisations in the manufacturing and engineering sector have achieved this prestigious Award, including notable past recipients such as Amey Plc, Barlows UK Ltd, Bouygues Energies and Services Solutions, the Electrical Distributors Association, Stainless Metalcraft and MKC Training Services Ltd, among others.
In 2025, the Awards celebrated even more engineering organisations excelling in workplace learning and development. NG Bailey, a leading engineering and infrastructure services provider, tackled the national electrician shortage through a high-impact apprenticeship programme, boasting an 86% success rate and 99% job placement for graduates. This sustainable approach enhances retention, cuts costs and secures future engineering capabilities.
The Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) revolutionised sector training with a digital learning platform that increased participation by 300%, benefiting 210 organisations. Their programme demonstrated strong career impact and delivered a remarkable 132% financial return on investment. BES Group improved safety and skills in inspection engineering through a unique training centre and VR-integrated learning, delivering over 300,000 training hours. This boosted staff retention, operational resilience and led to a 30% improvement in technical knowledge.
These inspiring examples represent just some of the engineering organisations honoured in 2025 by the Princess Royal Training Awards. Discover more about this year’s recipients here.
LONDON – UK- 23rd Nov 2023. HRH The Princess Royal attends the City and Guild Foundation Princess Royal Training Awards 2023 at St James’s Palace.
Photo by Ian Jones.
A supportive community with lasting benefits
Beyond the prestigious accolade, to apply for these Awards is to become part of an active community of over 700 training leaders, benefiting from exclusive networking opportunities. What’s more, one previous recipient stated:
“It immediately attracted interest from overseas. It is a mark of excellence, and I think people recognise that both in the UK and internationally.”
Award recipients also consistently report on the benefits of investment in learning, including enhanced employee engagement, improved wellbeing, and strengthened organisational culture, with many citing increased ability to demonstrate the social value of skilled workforces.
How to apply
If your organisation is looking to be recognised for a training programme which has positively impacted your organisation, why not register your interest? This is a unique opportunity to showcase your commitment to training and development and be recognised for your achievements.
Applications open on 1 December 2025 and close on 20 March 2026. You can find out more via the website or contact the Princess Royal Training Awards team at: [email protected].
