Sheffield Hallam has been named the best university for degree apprenticeship training at a national awards ceremony

Press contact: Greg Mattocks-Evans | g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk

The University won two awards at the School Leaver Awards – including Best University for Apprenticeship Training and Best Learning Experience.

The finalists — which featured some of the most well-known organisations in Britain — attended a virtual ceremony, introduced by Rylan Clark-Neal and presented by Paul Harris and Jack Denton, the co-founders of AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk.

The School Leaver Awards was launched in 2012, by AllAboutSchoolLeavers, to help young people make informed choices about their career paths. It also rewards and recognises employers who offer apprentices the most prosperous employment opportunities, encouraging a high quality of school leaver programmes.

They are unique in that the majority of the winners were nominated due to feedback given directly from apprentices enrolled on their programmes, rather than relying on an independent judging panel.

Apprentices currently studying on the Nestlé Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme at Sheffield Hallam completed feedback surveys, resulting in the two awards for the University.

The three-year programme gives apprentices a full-time role within Nestlé where they gain practical experience in sales, marketing, channel and category sales development and supply chain whilst also spending six weeks a year studying at Hallam's Sheffield Business School.

On successful completion of the scheme, apprentices gain a Professional Practice in Management degree from Sheffield Hallam and a permanent job from Nestlé.

John Sorsby, employer partnership manager at Sheffield Hallam said: “It is an honour to receive this award as a result of such positive feedback from our apprentices.

“It is also a reminder of just how beneficial degree apprenticeships can be, both for those who are beginning their careers and for employers who gain talented, highly skilled staff that can help them thrive.”

Jill Coyle, apprenticeship manager at Nestlé UK & Ireland Ltd, said: “We are delighted at this accolade for Sheffield Hallam. Nestlé and SHU have built a strong relationship together over the past eight years: we started out with a sponsored degree programme and have grown to now develop apprentices on three different routes, creating fabulous talent with the skills and behaviours we need to progress. We value the partnership with SHU and look forward to the new adventures ahead.”

Jack Denton, director and co-founder of AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk, said: “Over 150 employers and over 100 training providers entered The School Leaver Awards this year.

"The quality of entries this year has been extremely high and it’s encouraging to see so many employers and training providers offering amazing opportunities, training, mentoring and support for young people.”

A full list of winners can be found on the website, alongside the Top 150 Employers and Top 100 Training Providers.