• European Social Fund (ESF) Awards: for individuals who have taken up learning funded by the European Social Fund. Learning projects funded by the ESF are also eligible.
• Learning through Arts, Craft Skills or Culture Award: for individuals who have benefited from learning focused on arts, crafts skills or culture, and for projects that offer learning opportunities in these areas. Examples: painting, pottery, sewing, millinery, jewellery, carpentry, sculpting, acting, dance, etc.
• Learning with Family or Community Award: for individuals who have learnt with or for their family, or have benefited from learning in community settings, and for projects that have opened up learning opportunities for these types of learning. Examples: family members learning a new skill together, parents improving skills to help with their children’s studies, a reading group bringing members of the community together, voluntary work, etc
• Learning for Health Award: for individuals whose learning has helped them to improve their physical or mental health, and for projects that offer learning opportunities to help individuals to improve their physical and mental health. Examples: fitness and lifestyle activities, dealing with stress, family health, etc.
• Learning through Sport Award: for individuals whose learning has been in a sports setting or involved sports based activities, and for projects that provide those learning opportunities. Examples: football coaching, team games, athletics, outdoor adventure, etc.
• Learning through Technology Award: for individuals who have benefited from learning through or about new technology, innovation and or/broadcasting, and for projects that provide learning activities in these areas. Examples: online learning, learning with the use of new media and new technology gadgets (e-book readers, tablets, etc), etc.
• Learning for Work Award: for individuals who have improved their prospects in their current role or apprenticeship, or have secured a new job, business or career as a result of their learning, and for projects that provide learning at or for work, helping learners to improve their prospects. This category also includes the Apprentice of the Year Award. Examples: CPD, workplace training, improve existing skills in current job, learn new skills for career progression, change career or set up a business, etc
• Learning Life Skills Award: for individuals who have taken up learning to improve their skills for personal development, or for projects that offer learning opportunities for individuals to improve these skills. Examples: practical skills in English, maths and ICT that equip individuals to deal with the demands of everyday life, such as communicating, managing personal expenses, etc.
• Young Adult Learner Awards (Individuals only): for individuals aged between 18 and 25 on 13 December 2012.
• Senior Learner Awards (Individuals only): for individuals of retirement age or over on 13 December 2012.

These awards are for learners and projects in England only. For Adult Learners' Week in Wales please visit the NIACE Dysgu Cymru website.