The 2020 BAME Apprenticeships Awards in partnership with Pearson, winners have been announced. The awards ceremony which was planned to take place at the Edgbaston stadium in July but due to Covid-19 and the current lockdown, was replaced with an awesome online extravaganza.
The awards started by highlighting the finalist apprentices who had shared their experiences by recording a short video of their apprenticeship journey. While this was an online event people had the opportunity to network with hundreds of others in the virtual lobby sparking some great conversations.
The main event kicked off with a moving musical performance from Aston Performing Arts Academy. Hosts Tez Ilyas, Comedian and star of BBC hit comedy show Man Like Mobeen, and Remel London an award-winning British TV and Radio presenter and host of the Saturday Afternoon show on CAPITAL XTRA kept viewers engaged and entertained throughout the ceremony.
Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice president of BTEC and Apprenticeships at Pearson said, “We were delighted by the number of high-quality applicants received this year. It has been another great opportunity to showcase and celebrate so many inspirational BAME apprentices and to learn about their individual journeys. We are so proud to be sponsoring these Awards – seeing so many realise their potential, ambition and aspirations. We would like to thank all the participants, the nominees, and winners for taking part in these awards and wish them all continued success”.
Over 100 apprentices were shortlisted this year across a wide range of industry sector categories. As well as recognising the apprentices, the awards also recognise employers and learning providers.
“This year has been fantastic; the quality of the apprentices has been phenomenal, and it has been a pleasure to apart of such amazing cause that really highlights diversity in apprenticeships.” Olga Bottomley Head Judge of the BAME Apprenticeship Awards.
As with any awards there can only be one winner and the overall Apprentice of the Year Award went to Kimmy Kimani from Milton Keynes College. A U.N Ambassador as part of the generation Z, she wishes to end world hunger and has built an online following of 150 thousand to share her message. Having started an apprenticeship unknowingly Kimmy was keen to learn more and share the misconceptions and myths about apprenticeships, showing people the true value of apprenticeships.
It wasn’t just apprentices being recognised but a number of employers were awarded for their contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships. Small Employer of the Year went to multi award winning innovative Law firm Thrive Law and the Large Employer Award went to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The awards also recognised Learning Providers and the contribution they make to supporting apprentices and employers, this year the Learning Provider of the Year award went to the JGA Group for their leadership in diversity at management level.
To watch the event replay please CLICK HERE.
Winning Apprentices:
Accounting and Finance – Haider Ali of Rolls-Royce
Legal and Professional Services – Kimmy Kimani of Milton Keynes College
Health, Medical and Social Care – Pal Kaur of Walsall Council
Carers Award – Chipo Parirenyatwa – Mitchell’s Care Homes
Charity, Voluntary and Public Services – Chantel Fry of EMH Group
Retail, Hospitality and Tourism – Raginee Scudamore of University of Buckingham
Engineering and Manufacturing – Ashaan Grewal of Royal Mail
Construction Services – Romario Cazaubon – Mace Group
Media and Marketing – Sofia Mumtaz of Google
Digital and Technology – Hammad Shah of Suez Recycling and Recovery
Transport and Logistics – Hiba Abo Slo of Arup
Judges Choice – Samah Rafiq of Coca-Cola European Partners
Winning Employers:
Financial, Legal and Professional Services – EY
Health, Medical and Social Care – PJ Care Ltd
Charity, Voluntary and Public Services – HMRC
Retail, Hospitality and Tourism – Travis Perkins Plc
Engineering and Manufacturing Bombardier
Construction – JS Wright & Co Ltd
Creative & Digital – IBM
Transport and Logistics – Transport for London
Small Medium Employer – Thrive Law
Large Employer – Great Ormond Street Hospital
Learning Provider of The Year – The JGA Group
