The CIH learner of the year 2026 award recognises learners and apprentices who have gone above and beyond during their CIH qualification or apprenticeship end point assessment—whether through academic excellence, personal growth, overcoming challenges, or making a real difference in the workplace or wider community.
Study centres are invited to nominate learners or apprentices who have completed a CIH qualification or end point assessment either at the time of nomination or within the previous 12 months.
The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2026.
What’s in it for the learner?
- £50 cash prize
- Certificate of Excellence
- Automatic entry into FAB learner of the year 2026
- Winners entered into FAB learner of the year will also be invited to attend the FAB awards dinner if nominated as a finalist.
Please note: winners’ bank details will be required to process payment.
- Any learner who has completed a CIH qualification or end point assessment at the time of nomination or in the preceding 12 months
- Learners may be nominated by their CIH approved study centre or apprenticeship training provider.
All nominations will be reviewed by the CIH AO Committee, a panel of independent external experts.
What should your nomination include?
You’ll be asked to provide:
- Learner and employer details
- Qualification studied or apprenticeship undertaken
- A reference or supporting statement explaining why the learner deserves recognition.
You may wish to highlight:
- Exceptional achievement, progress or results
- How the learner has gone above and beyond for peers, employers, their community or themselves
- Additional activities undertaken to support future ambitions
- Barriers or challenges overcome during learning
- How the learner has championed housing qualifications / apprenticeships
- Improvements in employability, workplace impact or career progression as a result of their qualification or apprenticeship.
Terms and conditions are available upon request. For queries, please email: awarding.organisation@cih.org.
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