Onefile Customers Shine in UK’s Top Apprenticeship Employer Rankings 2026

As an official partner of the Top Apprenticeship Employers 2026 rankings, Onefile is proud to celebrate the organisations leading the way in apprenticeship delivery across England. With the rankings now revealed, we're delighted to see Onefile customers making up 32% of the employers recognised in the top 50.

Sixteen employers in the top 50 use Onefile's learner management platform, including two in the top 10 and five in the top 20. Representing both the private and public sectors, these organisations span a wide range of industries and demonstrate the breadth of employers investing in high-quality apprenticeship delivery.

The Top Apprenticeship annual rankings celebrate those employers across England who have created quality training opportunities for young people, driving economic growth and kick-starting careers. And this year, Onefile was proud to be an official partner.

Comprising the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers, the league table is split into two distinct categories so that both large and small employers can take part. The Top 100 table is for employers with 250+ employees and 10+ or apprentices, while the Top 50 is for employers with between 10 and 249 employees and three or more apprentices.

BAE Systems took first place this year in the Top 100 category, with Sellafield Ltd and Balfour Beatty coming second and third, respectively. In the Top 50 SME leaderboard, LJ Construction Carpentry Contractors Ltd came first, followed by Puffins of Exeter, second, then MDS Ltd, third.

Commenting on the rankings, which are co-delivered by the government and careers advice platform Higherin, Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith said:

“From household names to ambitious local businesses, these organisations show what is possible when employers put skills at the heart of their growth.

The skills, confidence and professional networks that apprenticeships provide give young people their first step onto the career ladder, and the foundation for a rewarding, lifelong career.

Our reforms are giving employers the freedom to invest in talent, and together we’re building a workforce ready for the future.”

As the leading learner management platform, Onefile is committed to helping employers of all sizes and in all sectors support their apprentices in achieving success.

Responding to the announcement, Davinder Aujla, Onefile's Executive Vice President, added: “We are pleased and proud to have been involved in this years’ rankings as official partner. Employers who give young people the opportunity to develop skills via great apprenticeships deserve recognition – and it’s fantastic to see so many of Onefile’s customers in the top 50.”    

To gain a place in the rankings, employers are assessed on: 

• Apprentice achievements, including achievement rates and volume of completions
• Employer commitment, taking into account the number of young apprentices, the size and breadth of the programme, cohort diversity and the proportion of employees who are apprentices
• Apprentices’ own reviews of their experience, which allows for genuine peer-to-peer participation
  

Employers are assessed on apprentice achievements, employer commitment and apprentices’ own reviews of their experience, giving the rankings a rounded view of both programme performance and learner experience.

At Onefile, we understand that successful apprenticeship delivery plays a vital role in building a skilled workforce, closing skills gaps and preparing young people for an ever-changing employment landscape.

If you’re looking for a smarter way to manage apprenticeships, support learner progress and evidence quality training at scale, book a discovery call.