Recognised for spearheading ‘ground-breaking’ initiatives such as the Government SEND pilot, HIT impressed judges with its dedication to advancing accessibility to apprenticeships and creating life-changing opportunities for vulnerable learners where other training providers see barriers.

HIT training was also praised for their work in bridging skills gaps and providing meaningful learning journeys for every individual, whatever their background or needs. This included a ‘pioneering’ partnership with The Clink Charity to launch an apprenticeship programme for serving prisoners, providing hospitality training and a path to employment upon release.

Mike Worley, managing director of HIT Training, said: “We are honoured to receive this award and celebrate HIT’s relentless dedication to apprentices and their continuous learning journey. Our mission is to change lives through learning and awards like this remind us of the transformative power of apprenticeships and the impact they have on careers and life chances.

“Following the huge success of our SEND exemption pilot over the last year, this award recognises our passion for breaking down barriers to learning and improving social mobility through apprenticeships. Now that the Government has announced the pilot will be a permanent initiative, we’re delighted to be able to take this work forward and continue to provide additional support for anyone with low English and maths levels.”