Award Categories
Nomination for Businesses
New Employer of the Year Award
Description and Eligibility:
Open to all businessesand voluntary organisations which have employed a Sandwell College Apprentice in the period from 1 January 2017 to date and had not previously had a relationship with the College.
Developing Apprenticeship Talent Award
Description and Eligibility:
Open to businesses and voluntary organisations of any size which employ a Sandwell College Apprentice and can demonstrate that they offer an outstanding training experience and offer apprentices opportunities to progress their career once their apprenticeship is complete.
Large Employer Award
Description and Eligibility:
Open to businesses and voluntary organisations with over 250 employees who employ a Sandwell College Apprentice and can demonstrate why they are an outstanding employer. They must be committed to apprenticeship career pathways.
Small/Medium Employer Award
Description and Eligibility:
Open to small/medium businesses and voluntary organisations (which have a turnover of less than £2 million per annum and/or employ fewer than 250 employees) which employ a Sandwell College Apprentice and can demonstrate why they are an outstanding employer. They must be committed to developing apprentices.
Nomination for Learners
Traineeship Learner of the Year Award
Description and Eligibility:
The trainee has developed their foundation steps to entering education, employment and training.
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Description and Eligibility:
Celebrating apprentices who have excelled in their learning and development and made exceptional contributions in their workplaces.
Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Description and Eligibility:
Celebrating apprentices who have excelled in their learning and development and made exceptional contributions in their workplaces.
Darren Cooper Award
Description and Eligibility:
Recognition for an apprentice who has overcome significant challenges/barriers to learning or work.
How to EnterTo enter for any award(s), please complete the entry form. This should demonstrate how this relates to the chosen award category.
Your completed nomination entry form/s should be returned to: Jessica Lewis, Sandwell College, 1Spon Lane, West Bromwich B70 6AWor sent to F.A.O Business Awards.
The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms is Friday 15th September 2017.
Judging Process
- Judging will take place after the closing date and three finalists will be selected in each category.
- Each nomination will be judged on its own merit according to resources and successes achieved.
- If you are a finalist you will be notified before the awards evening. Finalists will be required to attend the Sandwell Business Awards Dinner on Tuesday 24th October 2017. The winner of each category will be presented with an award on the evening.
Commitment to Employee Development Award
***Closing date for entries: Friday 15th September***
Name of company:
Contact name:
Contact telephone number:
Contact email address:
Contact address:
Number of employees:
Business Synopsis (100 to 150 words)
Describe in no more than 500 words why your company should be nominated to win this award. The successful organisation or project will need to demonstrate the following attributes: -
• Staff retention
• Commitment to professional and personal development
• Effective communication at all levels
• Impact on company performance
• Consistently high levels of staff motivation
• Return on company ethos for better performance
Use no more than 100 words for each aspect.
How to Enter
To enter for any award(s), please complete an entry form. This should provide details of company success and demonstrate how this relates to the chosen award category.
Your completed nomination entry form/s should be returned to: Think Sandwell’s Business Growth Team, Sandwell Council House,Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 3DE
The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms is Friday 15th September.
Judging Process
- The judging panel will consist of representatives from Sandwell Council, Sandwell Business Solutions Centre and Sandwell College.
- Judging will take place following the closing date and three finalists will be selected in each category.
- Each nomination will be judged on its own merit according to the entry form.
- If you are a finalist you will be notified before the awards evening. Finalists will be required to attend the Sandwell Business Awards Dinner on 24th October. The winner of each category will be presented with an award on the evening.
- All finalists are required to provide a minimum 300dpi hi-resolution copy of their company logo via email to in JPEG or GIF format to use on all publicity material associated with the Awards.
Business Innovation Award Entry Form
***Closing date for entries: Friday 15th September***
Name of company:
Contact name:
Contact telephone number:
Contact email address:
Contact address:
Number of employees:
Business Synopsis (100 to 150 words)
Describe in no more than 500 words why your company should be successful in achieving this award.
The focus will be on the best organisation or project that achieved the most innovative approach to overcome project specific challenges, harnessed emerging technologies, research and development techniques or market opportunities or developed a new/improved product or service. This can be through the use of Public Sector funding or via the use of company funds.
How to Enter
To enter for any award(s), please complete the entry form. This should provide details of an individual or company success and demonstrate how this relates to the chosen award category.
Your completed nomination entry form/s should be returned to: Think Sandwell’s Business Growth Team, Sandwell Council House,Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 3DE
The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms is Friday 15th September.
Judging Process
- The judging panel will consist of representatives from Sandwell Council, Sandwell Business Solutions Centre and Sandwell College.
- Judging will take place following the closing date and three finalists will be selected in each category.
- Each nomination will be judged on its own merit according to the entry form.
- If you are a finalist you will be notified before the awards evening. Finalists will be required to attend the Sandwell Business Awards Dinner on 24th October. The winner of each category will be presented with an award on the evening.
- All finalists are required to provide a minimum 300dpi hi-resolution copy of their company logo via email to in JPEG or GIF format to use on all publicity material associated with the Awards.
Nomination Form
Please indicate which award you are applying for:
New Employer of the Year
Developing Apprenticeship Talent Award
Large Employer Award
Small/Medium Employer Award
Traineeship Learner of the Year Award
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Darren Cooper Award
Commitment to Employee Development Award
Business Innovation Award
Name and address of company:
Contact name:
Telephone number:Email address:
Number of employees:
Business Synopsis (100 to 150 words)
Tell us in no more than 500 words why your company/nominee should win this award:
(Please continue on separate sheet if necessary)
**Closing date for nominations – Friday 15th September 2017**
**Entrants must be available for the Awards Evening on Tuesday 24th October 2017***