Thursday 16th 2022 marked the first-ever Social Mobility Awareness Day; a day founded with the intention of promoting wider conversations about social mobility and championing the organisations committed to bringing about positive change.
Pathway Group celebrated the inaugural day by calling upon their supporters to join them in highlighting the fantastic work taking place in the Further Education sector with the launch of The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2022.
Anne Ashworth, Head of employee apprenticeships at Pearson welcoming attendees
Hosted by the event’s headline sponsor Pearson at their head office in central London, the launch saw numerous large employers and learning providers such as the NHS, British Army, Severn Trent Water, IBM, BT, and Travis Perkins in attendance.
Over the past six years, Pathway Group has been at the forefront of promoting social mobility, diversity, inclusion and equity in apprenticeships. Beginning in 2016 with The Asian Apprenticeship Awards (which later evolved into The BAME Apprenticeship Awards and now The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards), Pathway Group also runs the Apprenticeship Diversity and Social Mobility Forum alongside the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance.
Through their various activities, Pathway Group has been able to recognise over 1,000 apprentices from diverse backgrounds working in various sectors across the UK. They have been able to challenge government policy, support employers with implementing change, and created role models for generations to come. This work continues to make a meaningful difference in the sector, with huge support from employers and learning providers.
Safaraz Ali, Founder and CEO of Pathway Group
Founder and CEO of Pathway Group Safaraz Ali spoke passionately about the journey the organisation has been on; the challenges, the successes, and the changes. “It is important that we look at the changes taking place around us and that we listen to people and act on feedback. We have listened and we have evolved, and we hope to continue to make a difference to individuals and organisations.”
Speaking on the importance of diversity in apprenticeships, Anne Ashworth, Head of employee apprenticeships at Pearson said “Apprenticeships have always provided access to a diverse number of learners in our economy – providing both young people and adults opportunities for careers in key industries where there are significant skills gaps. But, we know there is currently an underrepresentation of apprentices from ethnic minority backgrounds across all levels and sectors in our economy, and that’s why these Awards are so important and why we’re so proud to support them. As partners of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards we are delighted to see the programme go from strength to strength each year.”
The Multicultural apprenticeship Awards is open for nominations for apprentices, employers and learning providers and the deadline for nominations is Friday 8th July 2022.
Pathway Group
