ASIAN APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS REVEAL 2018 JUDGES

The organisers of the Asian Apprenticeship Awards have unveiled the 11 judges for this year’s event. All have been invited because of their significant experience in the work based learning arena, and their passion for the life changing impact of apprenticeships.

There are four new faces on the judging panel this year. Angela Middleton, Founder and Owner of MiddletonMurray Group. Since she founded the business in 2002, it has grown into one of the largest apprenticeship and training providers in the UK, placing over 10,000 professionals into their first jobs.

She said: “I am excited to be joining the judging team for the Asian Apprenticeship Awards in 2018. It is tremendously important that young people from all communities in the UK are aware of the range of apprenticeships that are available and the high quality training they provide. I think the Asian Apprenticeship Awards are doing an important job to communicate that. I look forward to reading some inspiring stories and rewarding the hard work of young people and their employers and training providers.”

Paul Eeles is also new to the judging panel, having been an Ambassador in 2017. Paul is Chief Executive of Skills and Education Group and the Chair of the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB). The remaining two new faces are Lesley McCormack, founder and Managing Director of multi award-winning Michaeljohn Training School Manchester and Susanna Lawson, founder of OneFile, the leading eportfolio software in the educational sector. 

This year the Head Judge is Olga Bottomley of Straight4ward Solutions, who was also an Ambassador in 2017. She has nearly 30 years’ experience working within the work based learning environment, and is currently the Quality Mentor for the Army’s Apprenticeship Team, major training providers such as 3aaa and large levy employers .

Olga (pictured) said: “It is exciting to see the Asian Apprenticeships go from strength to strength. In this third year we have a very impressive judging team with significant experience from across the Apprenticeships sector. I’m pleased to welcome Angela, Paul, Lesley and Susanna to the team, and I look forward to working with all the judges reading and reviewing the entries. We promise that those who win on the night will be really deserving of the honour.”

This is the third year that the Awards have been held, celebrating the talent and diversity of British Asian Apprentices, their employers and learning providers. Last year’s event attracted over 200 entries, culminating in a spectacular awards event in Birmingham, where apprentices were recognised for their contribution and talent. This year the headline sponsor is the Royal Air Force.

Nominations are now open for British Asian Apprentices, their Employers and Learning Providers in the following categories:

• Finance, Legal and Professional Services
• Retail, Hospitality and Tourism
• Charity, Voluntary and Public Services
• Construction
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Health, Medical and Social Care
• Transport and Logistics
• Creative and Digital

Plus three further categories

• Small/Medium Enterprise of the year
• Large Business of the year
• Learning Provider of the year

Nominations end on 31 July 2018 and shortlists will be announced on 3rd October 2018.

For details and entry forms click here

The gala dinner and awards presentation takes place on 29 November 2018 at Edgbaston Stadium Birmingham.