BAME Apprenticeship Awards 2021 - Highlights

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On Thursday 30th September 2021 over 500 people came together in person to celebrate the talent & diversity in apprenticeships at The BAME Apprentice Network Annual Apprenticeship Awards in partnership with Pearson. The event was the largest in-person gathering to take place post-pandemic for the sector with organisations like AELP, Amazing Apprenticeships, NCFE and NOCN in attendance.

The evening started with an opening speech from Andy Street, Metro Mayor for the West Midlands, who spoke about the importance of apprenticeships and their role in the UK’s recovery out of the pandemic. We also heard from Claire Rogers acting senior VP for Pearson and also the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s strategy director Rachel Cooper, who both stressed the importance of having more diversity in apprenticeships and the need to recognise outstanding talent.

“The team have worked really hard this year to make this event happen and we are so happy that people have finally been able to come together to celebrate apprenticeships. The recent challenges around the shortage of truck drivers, hospitality workers and care staff tell just how important it is to upskill our workforce and in doing so apprenticeships will be the way forward.”, said Kasim Choudhry, Managing Director of BAME Apprentice Network.

With last year’s awards being held online, the event organiser ThinkFest used the evening as an opportunity to present the 2020 winners with their awards, ensuring no one was left out. The event was also broadcast live via YouTube for anyone who was not able to attend in person, and has been viewed thousands of times.

This year saw a large range of individuals awarded for their excellence, with the overall Apprentice of the Year award going to Justina Blair of NatWest who is completing a Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship with BPP University. The judges said that Justina shows a real passion for the women in STEM agenda and clearly works hard to inspire others in innovative ways.

There was also special recognition for Aston University as the awards launched a new category called the University of the Year. As more and more universities enter the apprenticeship space and play a more leading role in the sector, the judges felt it was important to highlight the important work and contribution they are making.

Nominations for The BAME Apprenticeship Awards 2022 will open in February 2022. For more information contact: [email protected] or call 0121 707 0550

Sponsored by: Pearson, Kaplan, Mindful Education, NCFE, Royal Navy, Bootcamp Media, Pathway Group, JTL, Severn Trent, Virgin Media, British Army, Lloyds Banking Group, AELP, Amazing Apprenticeships, NOCN.

Supported by: WorldSkills UK & FE Week