Sponsors
Find out more about the GM Skills Awards 2026 Sponsors below.
Headline Sponsor
Headline sponsorship opportunity still available – get in touch with us at hello@gm-skillsawards.co.uk today!
Experience Sponsors
Guest experience–enhancing sponsorship opportunities still available – get in touch with us at hello@gm-skillsawards.co.uk today!
Award Category Sponsors
Category-focused sponsorship opportunities still available – get in touch with us at hello@gm-skillsawards.co.uk today!
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Sponsor
Pearson have more than 20,000 employees in nearly 200 countries that work tirelessly to refine their learning platforms, key products and services, making them accessible to anyone, anywhere. Pearson work towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their full potential through learning.
Higher Apprentice of the Year Sponsor
Since 1966, Rochdale Training has been at the forefront of skills development, transforming lives and empowering businesses across Greater Manchester and the North West. We specialise in delivering tailored Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, and workforce training programs that meet the needs of employers and individuals alike.
With a legacy built on collaboration and excellence, we work with businesses of all sizes to shape a highly skilled workforce and support professional growth. Our friendly, industry-experienced tutors and commitment to personalised, high-quality training have made us a trusted partner for hundreds of employers and learners every year.
As proud sponsors of the Greater Manchester Skills Awards, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Further Education and Skills sector. We believe in the power of education to transform communities and are dedicated to championing the talent and dedication that make our region thrive.
Jill Nagy, Chief Executive at Rochdale Training, said:
“Rochdale Training is pleased to continue our partnership with the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network through the GM Skills 2026 Awards- a key event that recognises excellence, celebrates achievement, and promotes progression across our region’s skills sector.
As a trusted provider within Greater Manchester, we value the shared commitment to raising aspirations, developing talent, and supporting inclusive growth. This is our second year sponsoring the awards, and we remain focused in our belief that skills and training are vital to success- both for individuals seeking to build their futures and for employers striving to grow and innovate.
Our sponsorship of the Higher Apprentice of the Year category reflects our dedication to learner progression. We believe that every apprentice should have the opportunity to advance into higher-level roles, building the confidence, capability, and professional standards that contribute to Greater Manchester’s long-term prosperity.
We thank the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network for their continued leadership and their focus on quality, collaboration, and impact. Together, we are ensuring that Greater Manchester residents thrive and that our regional employers continue to benefit from a highly skilled and motivated workforce.”
16-19 Learner of the Year Sponsor
NOCN Group is an international charity delivering future-fit skills solutions with meaningful social impact for colleges, training providers, employers, and individuals. As a truly independent charitable organisation, NOCN Group champions lifelong vocational learning and seeks to influence policy to create opportunities for growth, inclusivity, and social mobility.
Our mission is to help people reach their full potential while enabling organisations to thrive through improved productivity, sustainability, and workforce development. Backed by industry and subject matter experts, we provide high-quality, robust, and responsive services that adapt to the evolving needs of our customers and stakeholders.
NOCN Group is one of the largest awarding organisations in the global construction sector and is the owner of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). With a subsidiary in India, NOCN India Skills Foundation, we also operate across Africa, ASEAN, Europe, the Gulf, South Asia, and other international regions, driving skills development and social impact worldwide.
Adult Learner of the Year Sponsor
At NCFE, we’re dedicated to empowering individuals in the Greater Manchester region and beyond through high-quality, accessible qualifications that transform lives and open doors to new possibilities. Our collaboration with the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) reflects this commitment, and together, we’ve driven projects that broaden educational access and help learners achieve their goals.
As the leading provider of adult funded qualifications, NCFE understands the critical importance of lifelong learning in shaping successful futures. Through initiatives like increasing apprenticeship access for individuals with autism and piloting contextualized Functional Skills Maths resources in early years apprenticeships, we’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of education in Greater Manchester. The achievements of learners in this region inspire us every day, as we strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed and progress in their personal and professional journeys.
Shining Star of the Year Sponsor
The Growth Company are an award-winning, accredited social enterprise dedicated to helping businesses grow, creating jobs, and improving lives. As part of the Growth Company, GC Education and Skills has been delivering high-quality education and training for over 35 years.
As one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and training in the country, we help people build skills across various sectors and levels. Our training prepares individuals for the workplace, enhances leadership skills, and drives productivity.
We offer career-boosting programmes in some of the fastest-growing industries, taking a whole-person approach that includes digital skills and mental wellbeing support. Working with businesses, we ensure our courses and apprenticeships boost career prospects and business productivity.
SME of the Year Sponsor
Edge is an independent foundation working to inspire the education system to give all young people across the UK the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to flourish in their future life and work. We believe in a broad and balanced curriculum, interactive and engaging real world learning, high quality technical and professional training and rich relationships between education and employers.
Olly Newton, Executive Director at Edge Foundation, said:
“Edge is proud to be sponsoring the SME of the Year Award. Through our Apprenticeships Work campaign, we’ve been highlighting the vital role that SMEs play in the apprenticeship system, providing opportunities to young people in areas like Greater Manchester.”
Community Initiative of the Year Sponsor
For over 160 years the Howorth name has been synonymous with providing clean air solutions. Since our development of the Ultra Clean Ventilation system in the 1960’s, they’ve been more closely associated with providing controlled clean air for operating theatres.
Today, sales of their Exflow UCV canopy system to both UK and overseas customers remain strong, but they now offer an even broader range of complementary operating theatre and ITU equipment including operating lights, medical service pendants and digital workflow solutions.
For over 25 years, they have also been developing a wide range of innovative containment solutions for the global pharmaceutical industry. These systems utilise clean air engineering to provide the highest levels of operator and process protection.
To ensure their customers also get outstanding product support and aftermarket service, Howorth has a team of engineers on the road throughout the UK and overseas, all fully trained to service and maintain their range of products.
John Hale, Chief People & Excellence Officer, at Howorth Air Tech, said:
“Howorth Air Tech is proud to support the GM Skills Awards, as a business rooted in Bolton, Greater Manchester for over 160 years. We understand the importance of community, both in terms of the impact our products and services provide, and the opportunities we help to create for our people. Sponsoring the Community Award directly aligns with the Social Responsibility pillar of our Sustainability at Howorth Air Tech initiative, celebrating those who strengthen and uplift our local communities.”
Partnership Project of the Year Sponsor
Manchester’s designation as a UNESCO City of Learning reflects its commitment to lifelong learning as a driver of inclusive growth. With over 700 partners and 100 programmes, the city has built an innovative, inclusive learning ecosystem that connects education to real-world outcomes, from digital skills and green careers to community engagement and cultural inclusion.
The City of Learning movement has reached a significant milestone, being regionally (Partnership of the Year Award, GM Skills Awards), nationally and internationally (receiving UNESCO designation) recognised in just 18 months.
It’s a testament to the power of partnerships, collaboration and a shared belief in learning as a catalyst for equitable growth across the city.