Rising Star Award
What makes a winner?
The Greater Lincolnshire Rising Star Award 2026 celebrates a learner who has shown exceptional promise early in their workplace learning journey. This award recognises individuals who have demonstrated remarkable growth, commitment and potential, going above and beyond what is expected at their stage of development.
This award is not just about final outcomes, but about progress, potential and the impact they are already making. The Rising Star is someone who inspires those around them and represents the very best of what skills development can achieve.
We are particularly looking forward to reading nominations for learners who have/or are participating in Skills Boot Camps, but this award is not solely exclusive to this group.
Judges are looking for nominees who have shown exceptional promise early on in their career journey, long before they reach the final stages of a programme. In particular the judges would like to see:
- Outstanding contributions to the business, such as areas or projects where the individual has exceeded expectations at this stage in their learning programme.
- Evidence of initiative, reliability, problem‑solving, that goes above and beyond what is expected at this point.
- Individuals who stand out and motivate those around them, who have a clear potential for future progression.
Who should enter?
To make an application, the nominee must live or work in Greater Lincolnshire, have started their learning programme before the 1 December 2025, or completed their programme during the current academic year (August 1, 2025 to July 31 2026).
Completing the form
Applications for Greater Lincolnshire Rising Star Award 2026 can be made by their employer, a trainer, support worker or colleague who feels the individual is worthy of recognition. The nominator will complete a declaration confirming the individual’s consent to be considered for this award.
Please read these guidance notes carefully – they will help you to complete the application form.
Guidance on completing your application
Please complete all sections of the application form. Incomplete entries will not be progressed to adjudication.
Forms should be completed and submitted using the online form.
Please observe and adhere to the character limit where these apply. The online form will not accept submissions beyond this limit.
The application form is split into four sections:
- Section 1 – Contact Information
- Section 2 – Background Information
- Section 3 – Application
- Section 4 – Declaration
Please ensure that you follow the guidance notes in the application form as these will help you to provide the information that the judges need. All entries will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Section One – Contact Information
In this section, we will ask you for the contact information of the nominator, the learner’s employer details for the purposes of processing the entry and confirming eligibility for the awards. We will also ask for the details of and the apprentice’s training provider.
Section Two – Background Information
You are asked to provide the judges with information about the learner’s job role, how long they have been in post and any relevant background about their learning journey so far. This section will not be scored but will give the judges some background to help them assess the entry.
Section Three - Application
Please answer all questions as fully as possible and please ensure that you include evidence such as quotes from clients, colleagues, statistics, comparative data of key performance indicators or measures , etc. Remember the judges will be looking for evidence of exceptional progression, achievement and commitment, and business benefits as a result of the learner’s contribution.
Question 1 – How has the learner demonstrated exceptional progress or development since beginning their apprenticeship, learning or skills programme? (25%)
In this section, please provide specific examples of their personal and professional growth and achievements or challenges they have overcome, which you consider to be over and above the ‘norm’ for this stage in their employment. (Max 2,500 characters)
Question 2 – In what ways has the learner shown above and beyond commitment to their learning and personal development? How do they demonstrate the organisation’s values or demonstrate outstanding professional behaviour? (25%)
In this section you may want to include examples of initiative, resilience, motivation or willingness to learn over and above the expectations. (Max 2,500 characters)
Question 3 – What positive impact has the learner already made within their team or organisation? Has the learner brought new ideas, improvements or a creative approach to their role? (25%)
For this question you could include examples of contribution to projects, improvements to processes, supporting colleagues or exceptional performance in their role to date. (Max 2,500 characters)
Question 4 – Why do you believe this candidate is a Rising Star? (25%)
For this answer you may like to outline the aspects of the apprentice’s performance that you consider to be exceptional and above expectations. You might want to describe their potential for future success, leadership or continued development and contribution to the business. (Max 2,500 characters)
Declaration
You will need to confirm that the information provided is true to the best of your knowledge.
You will be asked to confirm that you have gained the nominee’s consent to be considered for Greater Lincolnshire Rising Star Award 2026 confirming in the declaration that the apprentice is happy to participate in publicity activity related to the Awards. Your declaration will confirm that you are happy for the information provided to be used with publicity material for the awards.
All parties will receive confirmation of the application.
Help with your application
If you require any help with your application, please contact email employmentandskills@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Conditions of entry
The organisers cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage of an entry. All entries will be treated in the strictest of confidence. The judges’ decisions will be final, and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into regarding the selection of winners.
All entries will be acknowledged by email to the nominee, apprentice and learning provider email provided in the application. If you do not hear from us, please email employmentandskills@lincolnshire.gov.uk.