Nominations are open for the 11th annual BTEC Awards

As 2020 draws to a close, it’s my pleasure to announce that we have just opened the nominations for the 2021 BTEC Awards. It’s a real highlight of every year for me and I’m already looking forward to celebrating with, and learning about, our inspirational winners next June – whether that’s in person, or in a virtual ceremony as we did for the 2020 awards.

We are calling on educators across the UK and internationally to nominate young learners, adult learners, colleges and schools for their outstanding achievements in what has been an unprecedented year for the BTEC class of 2021.

Nearly a million learners globally completed BTEC courses in the past year alone, so there is a wide pool of potential nominees. I’d like to ask you to take a moment to think about any tutors or teachers you work alongside, or learners you teach, who have achieved exceptional things this year and deserve recognition, and then nominate them at btec.co.uk/awards. Please make sure your colleagues know about this too, encouraging anyone you think could be interested in making a nomination this year.

2021 will be our 11th BTEC Awards

Over the past 10 years, the BTEC Awards have recognised those that demonstrate the exceptional knowledge, skills and behaviours that go into preparing for the jobs of the future and this year is no different. 19 category award winners will be celebrated from around the UK and internationally in subjects such as Health and Social Care, Construction, Engineering, IT, Business, Performing Arts and Sport.

While the Awards are always a chance to celebrate the power of BTEC, next year they will rightly have a particular focus on the resilience and commitment of the learners, who will be nominated for their achievements when studying through unprecedented times. We will also celebrate the dedication and professionalism of the BTEC teachers and tutors who have continued to deliver outstanding vocational education in this exceptional year.

Nominate your BTEC stars

Applications for the Awards are open now and close on Friday 2nd April 2021. The winners will be invited to the awards ceremony, which will take place either in person or online subject to Government guidelines and restrictions, with the overall BTEC Adult Learner of the Year and BTEC Young Learner of the Year also receiving a £1,000 cash prize and featuring in a short video dedicated to them and their journey.

As the world continues to adjust to the pandemic and widespread change across global industries, it’s never been more important to celebrate those in college, in school or studying as an adult who are taking vocational courses to equip themselves with the knowledge, behaviours and practical skills that employers need. The past year has brought into sharp focus the value of key workers and the crucial role that vocational and technical education plays in supporting the economy and communities across the country, something that we believe will continue long into the future as existing and emerging industries continue to develop.

There will be some extra special BTEC stories to celebrate in 2021 and we want to hear about those outstanding students and colleagues – the learners, teachers and tutors that shone during an extraordinary year. We look forward to celebrating them.

Find out more about the BTEC Awards and how to enter.