University of Birmingham awarded Public Sector Employer of the Year for Apprenticeship scheme
The University of Birmingham’s Apprenticeship Team has been named Public Sector Employer of the Year at the inaugural QA Excellence Awards.
Winners of the QA Excellence Awards 2025
The QA Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices, and the employers who make their success possible. Held on Friday 24 October, at the Custard Factory, the event brought together more than 120 employers, learners, and industry leaders from across the country.
Jane Astle, Apprenticeships Scheme Manager said: “This award is testament to the dedication of our apprentices, their line managers, and the central apprenticeships team in HR who make the scheme possible. Reading the testimonials from apprentices was a wonderful reminder of the amazing opportunities this programme provides.
“It highlights the University’s commitment to creating career pathways that allow individuals to earn while they learn, gain valuable experience, and achieve a nationally recognised qualification.”
The nominations were assessed against criteria including support and mentorship for apprentices, career development and progression opportunities, engagement with the local community, and testimonials.
As part of the process, apprentices were invited to share their experiences of the University’s apprenticeship programme.
Joe, Data Analyst L4 Apprentice said: “My time at UoB has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Everyone I have worked with across the university has provided invaluable knowledge and support which has allowed me to complete my apprenticeship and go on to progress my career within the institution.
“The support network in place for apprentices and the open and collaborative culture promotes an environment where people can grow while providing exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and innovate. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of UoB.”
One of the largest employers in the region, the University of Birmingham offers apprenticeships across a diverse range of fields. These include marketing, business administration and finance, engineering, laboratory work and IT.
QA is one of the main training providers for apprenticeships at the University of Birmingham. It works closely with employers across England to create meaningful, career-shaping opportunities, making a real difference across the country. With the largest community of apprentices in the UK, QA has helped more than 55,000 apprentices kickstart and accelerate their careers.
Find out more about Apprenticeships at the University of Birmingham >
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
For more information, please contact Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
- England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham, is proud to be rooted in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham.