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.
Christine Hepworth-James, Director of VQ Sales, UK and Ireland at Pearson, said:
“The Greater Manchester Skills Awards celebrate the young people and apprentices shaping the North West’s future. Learning changes lives. It helps people grow, gain confidence and make a real difference. Pearson is proud to support these awards, which so powerfully recognise the role of skills in transforming lives and strengthening communities across the region.”
Advanced Apprentice of the Year Sponsor
GMColleges is a long standing and mature partnership with a strong track record of effective collaboration and ambition for the future. Our high performing colleges meet the needs of the employers and the GM workforce, current and future, in key growth and employment sectors with training at all levels and ages from entry to post graduate.
GMColleges collectively delivers learning to 70,000 students (30,000 16-18 year olds and 40,000 adults) including many of those most vulnerable in society.
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
NCFE are 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. Their collaboration with the GMLPN reflects this commitment, and together, they’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, they’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of education in Greater Manchester.
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, they help people build skills across various sectors and levels. Their training prepares individuals for the workplace, enhances leadership skills, and drives productivity.
They 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, they ensure their courses and apprenticeships boost career prospects and business productivity.
“We’re proud to sponsor the Shining Star of the Year category, especially as one of our apprentices was highly commended in this category in 2025. The GM Skills Awards play a vital role in recognising outstanding achievements and contributions to the FE and Skills sector across Greater Manchester, and we’re delighted to be sponsoring again in 2026.”
Unsung Hero of the Year Sponsor
Gateway Qualifications is a not-for-profit awarding organisation based in the UK that specialises in accessible, regulated education. With over 400 qualifications on offer, they support learners through a flexible “pick‑n‑mix” model that empowers education providers to tailor courses. Their portfolio includes Access to Higher Education Diplomas, ESOL, Digital Skills, End-Point Assessments, and more.
Founded from regional Open College Networks with more than 30 years of experience, Gateway is recognised by both Ofqual and the QAA. Their mission is to open a “gateway to success” for all learners by championing equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything they do.
Team of the Year
1st2 Achieve Training Ltd, based in the North-West of England and operating nationally, was established in 2009. Since then, the organisation has grown significantly, offering a wide range of apprenticeships and short courses to individuals and employers.
1st2 Achieve Training has been awarded the national Matrix assessment standard, with feedback highlighting strong working relationships with employers. Its success rates are above the national average, supported by tutors who have relevant and expert industry experience. All tutors are committed to delivering innovative, flexible learning that develops substantial new knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
With nationwide coverage, 1st2 Achieve Training maximises its network and partnerships across key regions. This ensures that both local and national companies receive a personal and tailored service.
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 our 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.”
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.”
Large Employer of the Year Sponsor
The Northwest (NW) Apprenticeship Ambassador Network is part of the National Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, a group of employers and former/current apprentices who volunteer their time to encourage more employers to use high-quality apprenticeships, while inspiring more young people to pursue high-quality apprenticeships as a vibrant career route.
They undertake their ambassador role (on a voluntary basis) by supporting and influencing a wide range of key stakeholders including schools, colleges, local enterprise partnerships, employers and their supply chains, trade associations and employment bodies. They champion and support marketing, publicity and events to raise awareness of apprenticeships and mentor other employers.
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.
Cllr. John Hacking (the Executive Member for Skills, Employment & Leisure), said:
“Manchester, a proud UNESCO City of Learning, is honoured to be a repeat sponsor of the GM Skills Awards, in 2026. This is a moment to celebrate our world class learning ecosystem and the people who power it.
From learners and educators to training providers and support staff, this is a chance to recognise the incredible impact they make every day.
When learning is embedded in a city’s culture, economy and communities, it becomes a powerful force for opportunity, growth and transformation.”