by Lan Che, Awards Manager, City & Guilds Foundation
A year beyond celebrating a remarkable decade, the Princess Royal Training Awards remain the leading recognition for outstanding commitment to workforce development. These prestigious Awards continue to acknowledge organisations across the UK and Ireland for their exceptional dedication to impactful training that delivers real business benefits.
From modest beginnings to prestigious recognition
Established in 2016 in partnership with employers, learning experts, and assessors, the Awards were created to highlight outstanding organisations investing deeply in learning and development. HRH The Princess Royal, a dedicated champion of skills and training, has closely supported the Awards, adding royal endorsement.
Organisations across diverse sectors and sizes have been honoured over the years, with entries highlighting everything from leadership development and cultural change to apprenticeships and talent pipelines. The Awards’ reputation has become synonymous with excellence, attracting a growing number of applicants striving to achieve this distinguished accolade. As 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.” – Cox London, 2022 recipient
Continued growth and innovation amidst changing workplace realities
From 2016 through to 2025, the Awards have seen a steady rise in participation and recognition, with 57 programmes achieving the Award in 2025. Their continued appeal is fuelled by factors such as an esteemed ceremony, access to a thriving alumni network, and comprehensive applicant support. The Awards are also completely free from start to finish and, importantly, organisations are not competing with one another. Instead, applicants simply demonstrate how their training meets rigorous standards of excellence.
Over the years, the Awards have adapted to changing needs, introducing virtual workshops, offering draft application feedback, and launching recognition renewal to encourage previous recipients to retain their recognition for ongoing excellence. Applicants continuously feedback on the value of this support:
“What was really beneficial was just the amount of support that the Princess Royal Training Awards team provide. I made sure that we joined all the tea & chat sessions, I had one of my team members go along to the in-person session in Dublin, and something I would urge everyone to do is get your draft in, even if it isn’t the final draft you’d like to submit.” – Version 1, 2024 recipient
The entry of Irish organisations into the Awards has further enriched the community, promoting cross-border knowledge sharing and best practice.
Spotlight on Ireland: Celebrating outstanding contributions
Since opening eligibility to Irish organisations, the Awards have embraced applicants from across Ireland’s public, private, and non-profit sectors. Recent Irish Award recipients have included the Dean Group Hotel, who achieved the prestigious Award for its Rethink Green programme. Launched in 2022 to tackle rising energy costs and grow sustainable practices, it involved training designated ‘green leads’ across departments, leading to target energy savings of over €300,000 being exceeded, while embedding a culture of sustainability among staff.
Liscannor-based training provider Fifty Shades Greener, which educates people on how to create a culture of sustainability through a variety of learning programmes also achieved the prestigious Award. Their growth strategy includes employing climate-literate graduates new to training roles, supported by targeted upskilling initiatives. This approach has empowered the team to confidently lead sessions and drive continuous improvements in the organisation’s educational impact.
Looking ahead: Expanding global reach in 2026
Recognising the increasingly interconnected nature of workplace learning, the Awards are evolving their eligibility criteria for 2026 to include organisations with UK or Ireland-based training that also have a global training footprint. This exciting development means that companies can gain recognition not only for their domestic training impact but also for the breadth of their international initiatives.
Beyond recognition: The transformative benefits of the Awards
The true value of the Princess Royal Training Awards goes far beyond receiving a royal accolade or attending a high-profile ceremony. A recent survey showed that 93% of alumni report improved employee engagement and wellbeing linked to their investment in learning. Additionally, 91% have enhanced their ability to demonstrate skills’ value toward social impact, while 84% have gained confidence in their organisational culture and training strategies. Recipients have also reported on internal benefits:
It has made a big difference. It has shone a massive light on the Pret Academy. I think before it was very operationally driven and we weren’t seen as the experts, but now they want to speak to the L&D team to see how to deliver this solution. So now we have lots of people coming to us, lots of senior stakeholders. It has put the Pret Academy on their radar – Pret a Manger, 2023 recipient.
Award recipients also enter a powerful and supportive network of over 700 learning and development leaders, offering a platform for collaboration, inspiration, and continuous improvement.
Take the next step: Get recognition for your commitment to training
For organisations striving to demonstrate the real-world impact of their training programmes, applying for the Princess Royal Training Awards is the perfect opportunity. Applications open 1 December 2025 and close 20 March 2026.
