Celebrating apprentices, employers and skills across Kent

Kimberly-Clark, the trusted global maker of essential brands like Kleenex®, Huggies® and Andrex®, proudly backs the Kent Apprenticeship programme as our Headline Sponsor. With more than 150 years of innovation and a worldwide workforce delivering products that touch millions of lives every day, Kimberly-Clark champions apprenticeship opportunities across its business to build skills, nurture talent and support future careers in manufacturing, engineering and beyond. Their wide-ranging apprenticeship community reflects a commitment to growth, hands-on development and a thriving pipeline of skilled professionals.

2026 Headline sponsor

We’re proud to have Southeastern supporting the KAAs as a sponsor.

Southeastern operates one of the busiest networks in the country, running train services between seven London Terminals and linking South-east London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. They also operate the UK’s first and only domestic highspeed service. Southeastern is integrated with Network Rail Kent, employing over 4,500 colleagues.

As a sponsor of the KAAs 2026, Contracts Engineering has a strong reputation as a precision manufacturer and trusted supply chain partner. The Sittingbourne-based business is known for its engineering expertise, quality assurance and forward-thinking approach to manufacturing. Its support highlights a commitment to celebrating success and encouraging continued growth within the sector.

The Education People is a trusted partner to schools, employers and communities across Kent and beyond, delivering high-quality training, consultancy and support services that empower individuals to succeed.

With a strong focus on professional development, apprenticeships and employability, The Education People play a vital role in equipping learners and educators with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s workforce. Their commitment to excellence and partnership makes them a valued supporter of the Kent Apprenticeship Awards.

Unite the Union is the UK and Ireland’s largest trade union, representing over one million members working across the public and private sectors. This includes workers and apprentices in manufacturing, transport, construction, health, public services, and the graphical, paper, media, and IT sectors.

Unite exists to protect members’ jobs, pay, and conditions, providing workplace representation, legal support, and collective bargaining while campaigning for fairness, equality, and social justice.

As a sponsor of the KA Awards 2026, AC Goatham supports the celebration of excellence, innovation and industry achievement. With a strong reputation for quality, sustainability and forward-thinking investment, the business continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of its sector. Its support of the awards highlights a commitment to recognising success and encouraging continued progress.

We’re delighted to welcome Chartway Partnerships Group as a sponsor of the KA Awards.

Chartway Partnerships Group is a land-led housebuilder in the Southeast of England.
They specialise in developing new homes and communities in partnership with Housing Associations, landowners, fund managers and through our private sale new homes brand, Westerhill Homes. Chartway creates places with a strong sense of place that respect nature and lead the way to low-energy living. With a shared vision to deliver new homes for everyone, they work collaboratively to build sustainable communities for generations.

As a sponsor of the KAAs 2026, Bailey Partnership supports the recognition of outstanding achievement, innovation and progress within the industry. Known for its multi-disciplinary expertise and commitment to quality, sustainability and design excellence, the practice plays an important role in shaping the future of the built environment.