QA shortlisted for two Apprenticeships Guide awards

QA has been shortlisted in two categories at the Apprenticeships Guide Awards 2026: Best Training Provider and Best Apprenticeship in IT & Digital.

The recognition highlights QA's delivery of apprenticeships in digital, data and technology roles across the UK. It comes as employers in sectors including government, healthcare, retail and financial services continue to use apprenticeships to address digital skills gaps and train staff for technical roles.

In the past academic year, QA supported around 12,000 apprentices and recorded a 97.5% achievement rate. Its programmes cover areas including data and AI, cybersecurity, software development, cloud computing, and digital marketing.

The Best Training Provider category reflects the scale of that delivery and the breadth of QA's employer base. Judges also considered how organisations use those programmes to build digital skills over the longer term.

The nomination for Best Apprenticeship in IT & Digital focuses on how QA structures courses around specific job roles and employer requirements. Apprentices are expected to apply what they learn in the workplace while developing professional skills such as communication, problem-solving and stakeholder management.

Programmes run from Levels 3 to 7 and follow what QA describes as a "Discover, Practise, Apply" model. The approach is intended to move learners from basic understanding to practical delivery within their organisations.

Skills Focus

The shortlisting also points to a broader push to widen access to digital careers. QA said its partnerships with large employers and public sector bodies have created routes into digital work for early-career entrants and career changers.

That reflects a wider labour market trend, with employers looking beyond traditional graduate recruitment to build technology teams. Apprenticeships have become one route for companies seeking to recruit and retain staff in areas where demand for technical skills remains high.

QA has delivered apprenticeships for more than 15 years and has expanded its provision in response to employer demand in areas such as AI, data and cloud.

Jo Bishenden, managing director of apprenticeships at QA, said. "Being recognised in both categories is a strong reflection of the work our teams and employer partners are doing to build meaningful, future-ready careers. Apprenticeships are not just about skills development. They are about creating opportunity, driving organisational performance and supporting long-term economic growth.

"We are particularly proud of the impact our programmes are having in AI, where organisations need not just technical specialists but teams with the confidence and capability to apply these technologies in practice."

QA works with more than 4,000 organisations across apprenticeships, instructor-led training and self-paced learning. The shortlisting adds to attention on how large training providers support employers as demand for digital workers shifts towards AI, data and cloud.