Unlike many other awards that focus on organisations or learners, the City & Guilds Membership Awards shine a spotlight on the trainers and tutors who have made all the difference delivering training which goes above and beyond the norm.
Launched in 2024, when 15 worthy recipients successfully received an Award, the Membership Awards celebrate educators who are instrumental in delivering successful training and development programmes but who often keep their heads below the parapet. As Faiza Khan, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs and Foundation at City & Guilds explains: “We launched the Awards to recognise the individual contribution of tutors and trainers to skills. They are making a huge difference to learners, to organisations and to communities.”
Chief Assessor Fenella Tallon adds, “Good trainers are hard to find, and those who are truly passionate about their work deserve recognition. Many people fall into training at some point in their career, but the ones who stand out are those who inspire others, just like a favourite teacher at school. The Membership Awards give these dedicated professionals the opportunity to shine.”
In 2024, the Awards received applications from a diverse range of organisations, including corporate enterprises, small businesses, colleges, training providers and charities. What set the nominees apart was their unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding training and their ability to inspire those around them.
A nomination process
The Membership Awards follow a rigorous two-stage selection process designed to ensure the highest standards of recognition. Candidates must be nominated by someone familiar with their work, whether a colleague, supervisor or mentor. These nominations are carefully assessed by a team of independent assessors, who score them against specific criteria.
Successful nominees proceed to the second stage: an online meeting for the assessor to find out more and speak to both the nominator and nominee. “We want to find out more about their story, the impact they’ve had, and the type of training they’ve delivered,” Tallon explains. “This structured approach guarantees that Award recipients truly embody excellence in training.”
The value of professional recognition
For Heather Graham MCGI, a 2024 Membership Award recipient and the National Learning and Development Officer for Right at Home UK, receiving this prestigious recognition was a career-defining moment: “It’s a real honour to be nominated for an award that is not just part of an award system, but also part of a professional recognition process.”
Heather credits the people who have supported and mentored her along the way, from family members to professional colleagues. She believes that great training creates an environment where learners feel comfortable and engaged. “I try to bring my authentic self to each of my training sessions,” she says. “That’s what helps me to stand out.”
Beyond personal achievement, a Membership Award enhances professional credibility. “Getting the letters MCGI after my name is a real bonus in demonstrating my ethos and approach to training,” Heather adds. “It’s an identifiable marker for other people to see the standard of achievement and quality we uphold.”
Why apply in 2025?
The City & Guilds Membership Awards serve as a testament to professional excellence and dedication to lifelong learning. 2024 Award recipient David Mills MCGI, Engineering Tutor at Hopwood Hall College highlights the impact the Award has had not only on his career but also on the College. “I’ve never been nominated for anything like this before so it’s a big honour for myself, my family, the college, and the team I work with. It’s not just about me. It’s about the learners. It’s about the College and the training we get. It’s really humbling and I feel really proud.”
How to apply
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their contributions to learning and development and want your college or organisation to be recognised for their outstanding training, consider nominating them for a 2025 City & Guilds Membership Award. Nominations are open until 19 May 2025.