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11/02/2026
A company that firmly believes in supporting apprenticeships has won the University’s Employer of the Year Award as part of National Apprentice Week 2026.
Priory Group, the leading provider of specialist mental health, addiction treatment and social care services in the UK, says it invests in apprenticeships “because they align with our values and our need to develop a sustainable, skilled workforce”.
Colin Quick, Chief Quality Officer (Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control), said apprenticeships allowed colleagues to build capability alongside their roles, supporting both personal development and service quality.
He added: “This approach has helped strengthen retention, build confidence and competence, and support progression across a range of roles.
“Apprentices have made meaningful contributions through their learning, application of theory to practice, and involvement in service improvement activity. They often bring fresh thinking, strong engagement, and a focus on evidence-based practice, which benefits both teams and the people we support.”
Colin, who is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University, said that working with the University has supported the delivery of apprenticeship programmes by providing academic structure, assessment, and external perspective.
He said: “We regularly see apprentices progress into more senior or specialist roles, applying their learning to improve practice and outcomes. These individual journeys demonstrate the practical value of apprenticeships in supporting career development.
“Winning the University’s Employer of the Year Award is welcome recognition of the work Priory has undertaken to support apprenticeships and workforce development.
“It reflects the commitment of our colleagues, mentors, and apprentices, and acknowledges the importance we place on creating accessible, high-quality development pathways across our organisation.”
Lynda Farrell, Head of Apprenticeships said: “Our sincere congratulations to The Priory, their success is richly deserved. The University would like to thank them for their continued support of apprenticeships.”
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