New this year is the recruitment excellence award to recognise employers who have used innovative approaches to attract a diverse and high-quality apprenticeship workforce.

Meanwhile a special recognition award will go to the person judged by the National Apprenticeship Service to have made a leading contribution to the promotion and delivery of apprenticeships.

And for the first time, a rising star award will showcase apprentices who are already blazing a trail in their career and show the potential to make it to the very top.

There are also awards for best apprentice at levels two, three and four and above, an apprentice champion who goes above and beyond to promote apprenticeships and best business categories for all sizes of company.

Nine separate regional award ceremonies will be held before a national judging panel will select the overall winners at a special ceremony on November 28.

Entry is free online at appawards.co.uk where the full list of categories can be found.