Multicultural Apprenticeship Award 2024
Winners Revealed in Birmingham’s Prestigious Ceremony
The prestigious Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, hosted at Birmingham’s renowned Vox Conference Venue, welcomed over 800 guests to honour the exceptional contributions of apprentices, employers, and training providers. Now in its ninth year, this annual event, powered by Pathway Group in partnership with Pearson, recognised those playing a transformative role in shaping the UK’s workforce for the future.
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The evening was hosted by 2020 Apprentice of the Year Kimmy Kimani Hobbs, alongside esteemed broadcaster Tommy Sandhu, setting the stage for an inspiring showcase of resilience, talent, and innovation. This year’s awards saw a record-breaking number of nominations, underscoring the impact and breadth of apprenticeship programmes across the country.
Celebrating Exceptional Achievements
The awards ceremony opened with remarks from Martyn Leader, Vice President of Pearson TQ, who highlighted the crucial role apprenticeships play in driving economic growth and personal advancement. Leader stated:
Apprenticeships are life-changing qualifications that launch careers and foster personal growth. Tonight’s nominees represent more than the future—they are today’s pioneers.
Honouring a Legacy
The Yusuf Mumtaz Award for Commitment to Apprenticeships
The ceremony included a moving tribute to Yusuf Mumtaz, a dedicated apprentice whose life was cut short earlier this year. His legacy lives on through the newly established Yusuf Mumtaz Award for Commitment to Apprenticeships, presented to Joanna Hughes for her steadfast advocacy of solicitor apprenticeships.
Recognising Unparalleled Contribution
A significant highlight of the night was the award for Overall Contribution to Apprenticeships, presented to Jill Whittaker OBE, Executive Chair and co-founder of HIT Training Ltd. Jill’s contributions have had a profound impact on the apprenticeship landscape, with her leadership helping to support over 10,000 apprentices and 4,000 employers annually.
Introducing Dame Asha Khemka to present the award, Safaraz Ali, Founder of the Awards and CEO of Pathway Group, spoke highly of Jill’s legacy:
Jill’s commitment to apprenticeships has transformed countless lives and businesses. Her vision and leadership have established HIT Training as a beacon of excellence. Her contributions exemplify the power of investing in home-grown talent.
In her acceptance speech, Jill paid tribute to the collective efforts of apprentices, trainers, and employers, stating:
This award belongs to every Apprentice, trainer, and employer who shares the vision of a brighter future through apprenticeships. Together, we are creating a world where talent and opportunity thrive.
An Evening of Inspiration and Unity
This year’s Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards highlighted the dynamic ecosystem of apprenticeship programmes in the UK, with 450 nominations leading to 140 apprentices, 40 employers, 14 training providers, and eight higher education institutions being shortlisted.
Concluding the evening, Safaraz Ali expressed heartfelt appreciation for the talent and commitment within multicultural communities:
These awards exemplify the incredible dedication and talent within our diverse communities. Together, we are building a future where opportunity has no limits.
The Winners
Joanna Hughes
Yusuf Mumtaz Award for Commitment to Apprenticeships
Aaminah ahmed
Apprentice of the Year 2024
Jill Whittaker OBE
Overall Contribution to Apprenticeships
Aisha Manaal Ahmed
Accounting & Finance Apprentice Winner
HSBC UK
Accounting & Finance Employer Winner
Josephine Ijegbai
Management, Legal & Professional Services Apprentice Winner
DLA Piper
Management, Legal & Professional Services Employer Winner
Ammara Sidick
Charity, Voluntary & Public Services Apprentice Winner
England Boxing
Charity, Voluntary & Public Services Employer Winner
Jasmine Ale
Health, Medical & Social Care Apprentice Winner
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Health, Medical & Social Care Employer Winner
Bilal Arshad
Construction Services Apprentice Winner
BAM UK & Ireland
Construction Services Employer Winner
Asad Gondal
Engineering & Manufacturing Apprentice Winner
HydraForce Hydraulics
Engineering & Manufacturing Employer Winner
Ziana Butt BEM
Digital & Technology Apprentice Winner
Capgemini
Digital & Technology Employer Winner
Aaminah Ahmed
Creative, Media & Marketing Apprentice Winner
BBC
Creative, Media & Marketing Employer Winner
Miranda Simms
Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Apprentice Winner
British Airways
Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Employer Winner
Yusuf Patel
Transport & Logistics Apprentice Winner
Amazon
Transport & Logistics Employer Winner
Temuujin Amarsanaa
Level 2 Intermediate Apprentice of the Year
Tasnem Chawdhry
Level 3 Intermediate Apprentice of the Year
Iman Bhatti
Judges’ Choice
Joana's Hair Elite
Small, Medium Employer of the Year
Compass Group UK & Ireland
Large Employer of the Year
Compass Group UK & Ireland
Large Employer of the Year
BPP Education Group
Learning Provider of the Year
Our Judges
Squadron Leader Amir Khan
SO2 Ethnic Minorities Recruiting Strategy at Royal Air Force
Damian Corneal
Partner at PwC UK
Dan Howard
Partnership Development Director at Lifetime Training
David Smith
CEO of Lifetime Training
Jade Pearson
New Talent Leader at Severn Trent
James Adeleke
Chief Executive at Generation Success
James Emmett
Senior Director of Employer Engagement & Strategic Partnerships at Pearson
Jasmine Kundra
Learning Consultant at Adrenalearn
Jenny Pelling
Director of Apprenticeship Development and Diversity at Kaplan
Joanna Hughes
Director at Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships
Kate Mooney
Apprenticeship Operations & Partnership Specialist at BT Group
Leanne Poole
Head of EPA Operations at NCFE
Lesley McCormack
Managing Director of MichaelJohn Training
Lucy Hunte
National Programme Manager of Apprenticeships at NHS England
Lieutenant Colonel Naveed Muhammad MBE
Capbadge Apprenticeships Lead for the Royal Corps of Signals, British Army
Mark Mckenna
Managing Director at Mindful Education
Nicola Johnson
Relationship Manager at Skills and Education Group
Sharon Walpole
Head of Partnerships at Careermap Media Group
Suneal Ram Kissun
Head Judge