College Awards 2026

The Changemakers Award celebrates a team of college staff who demonstrate innovation, creativity, and boldness in their practice, challenging traditional approaches to delivering college education to create impactful learning experiences and improved student outcomes.

This award recognises and celebrates the innovative and outstanding work of colleges and their community partners in delivering impactful community-based learning opportunities. It values inclusion, empowerment, lifelong learning, self determination, and collaboration with learners and communities.

*formerly College Community Learning Award

This award recognises a college that has implemented innovative and creative approaches to enhance the quality and effectiveness of technology-enhanced learning, teaching, and/or assessment practice.

This award recognises creative and sustained approaches colleges have taken to enhance engagement with employers. Entries should demonstrate clear, positive benefits for employers, stakeholders, staff, and learners, both in college and in the workplace.

*formerly Employer Connections Award

This award recognises a college that has demonstrated impact through innovative approaches to learning and teaching, supporting students to reach positive outcomes by developing personal, transferable, and career-ready skills. It celebrates colleges that enable learners to articulate, demonstrate, and apply their skills in a variety of contexts, while fostering learner ownership of their development.

*formerly Skills Development Award; now includes additional factors

This award recognises an individual in a learning and teaching role who has inspired students to achieve their goals and ambitions, even in challenging circumstances, and has made a significant difference within their college.

This award recognises any support and professional services staff member who has made a significant investment of talent and time, creating a positive impact on others within the college and/or the wider community.

This award recognises projects that demonstrate research and/or innovation within colleges. We invite applications from colleges that have implemented groundbreaking practices in skills development, process redesign, or successful collaborations with businesses, taking ideas from concept to delivery. Entries are also welcomed from colleges whose research projects or enhancement initiatives have led to significant improvements in college offerings, student experience, or partnership working.

This award recognises a college that has effectively highlighted its work, achievements, and impact, both within the sector and beyond. It celebrates colleges that inspire others, share best practice, and demonstrate leadership through creative and innovative approaches to presenting their successes.

*formerly Marketing and Communications Award; now includes additional factors

This award recognises an individual student who has made an exceptional contribution of talent, time, and effort, creating a positive impact within their college and/or wider community.

This award recognises outstanding studentled projects or initiatives that demonstrate leadership, creativity, and impact. It celebrates students who have taken ownership of an idea, project, or activity that has made a positive difference within their college, community, or the wider sector.

This award celebrates a college that has demonstrated leadership and impact in sustainability. It recognises colleges that have advanced social, environmental, and economic sustainability through initiatives that align with a whole-college approach, whether in the curriculum, campus, culture, or wider community engagement over the past year.

This award recognises a college that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive environment where all learners and staff can thrive. It celebrates colleges that integrate health and wellbeing initiatives with equality, diversity, and inclusion strategies, ensuring that everyone can reach their potential and feel a sense of belonging.

*combining Inclusive and Health & Wellbeing categories