What we learn by securing established award (7)
I believe the answer is:
rosette
'award' is the definition.
(type of award or prize)
'what we learn by securing established' is the wordplay.
'what we learn by' becomes 'rote' (as in 'learning by rote').
'securing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'established' becomes 'set' (set can mean established or agreed upon).
'rote' placed around 'set' is 'ROSETTE'.
(Other definitions for rosette that I've seen before include "sign of a champion?" , "To steer (anag)" , "Political supporter's ribbon" , "Badge of office or honour" , "Ribbon badge for prize-winner" .)