Marvin OnumonuCentral Bedfordshire Council’s social work and social care workforce development team received recognition in the 2025 Princess Royal Training Awards.
The council’s in-house social work training programme was chosen as one of 57 training schemes in the UK.
The Princess Royal Training Awards highlight employers with a strong commitment to learning and development and measured benefits for their organisations and communities.
The award was presented by HRH The Princess Royal and the City and Guilds Foundation.
The council developed the social work degree apprenticeship programme to address recruitment challenges.
The training supports both children’s and adult social care and includes university partnerships, mentoring, and a pre-apprenticeship pathway.
The aim was to build a committed and diverse talent pipeline.
Councillor Adam Zerny, leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the team recognised for the work they’re doing to grow a committed and effective group of future social workers.
“Good training doesn’t just help people get started; it helps them keep developing and allows them to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“The award reflects the Council’s commitment to high-quality training that empowers individuals and makes sure officers have the support they need to thrive throughout their careers.”
