Apprenticeship Diversity & Social Mobility Forum

We’re excited to be part of Apprenticeship Branding Conference, a leading industry event in partnership with the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance and ThinkFest. This event is all about exploring innovative strategies to develop and enhance apprenticeship branding, ensuring organisations can attract, engage, and retain top talent. With expert leaders sharing insights on recruitment, personal and company branding, and effective engagement strategies, Engage is a must-attend for those shaping the future of apprenticeships. At BCU, we are committed to developing high-quality apprenticeship pathways that empower individuals and strengthen industries. Join us as we discuss how branding and collaboration can drive real impact in apprenticeship success. email: apprenticeship-enquiries@bcu.ac.uk #Apprenticeships #SkillsDevelopment #TalentEngagement #WorkforceFuture #BCU

Fabulously productive meeting this afternoon with Claire Robinson, HRD at Amey, who have recently become a Patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance (powered by Pathway Group) Great discussions on how we can work in partnership to maximise the impact of being a Patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance and maximise the impact on promoting and advancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Social Mobility for marginalised individuals in Apprenticeships & Skills. Innovation and Collaboration were definitely the two themes of my wonderful meeting with a true sector leader who wants to bridge the gap between Equity of Opportunity & Accessibility of Opportunity for underrepresented communities. Really excited about our partnership with Amey and the meaningful work we have planned. Thank you for your time, your hospitality, for sharing your vision and the exceptional views of #Birmingham from your offices ✨ It was also my pleasure to present Claire Robinson with her very own 'M'-Ulticultural Badge!! ✨ 🎉 ALWAYS IN COLLABORATION & NEVER IN COMPETITION 🙏 🎉 🙏 #apprenticeships, #apprentices, #skills, #careers, #earlycareers, #equity, #diversity, #inclusion, #socialmobility, #engageapps, #multiculturalaa

✨ BUILDING AND EMPOWERING BRANDS THAT CONNECT ✨ The Apprenticeship Branding Conference - Engage (powered by Pathway Group) is a dynamic leading industry event, in partnership with the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance and ThinkFest (Corporate Events & Networking), where we explore innovative strategies for apprenticeships, focused on building and empowering engaging brands that connect and elevate. Renowned expert leaders and professionals will attend and present on effective company and personal branding, recruitment, attraction, engagement and development techniques, collaboration and empowering organisations to attract and retain the best talent in the competitive world of apprenticeships. The event is aimed at senior leaders from the FE and HE sector as well as HR, Early Careers and Skills Development professionals from corporate organisations and SMEs. We will be marketing the event across our vast network of professionals from various sectors and industry disciplines. Our key aim is to promote apprenticeships, increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities and widen participation, destination and outcomes of apprenticeships. Engage your brand by attending the event, showcasing your commitment to promote and improve apprenticeships. Connect with influential sector leaders and key stakeholders, enhancing your visibility and reputation. https://lnkd.in/eNEYvudM Headline Sponsor: UCAS Supporting Sponsor: Youth Futures Foundation #EngageApps #Apprenticeships #Apprenticeship #Careers #ApprenticeshipBranding

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence in the Skills Sector! 🎉 The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards are back for our 10th anniversary, and nominations are OPEN! We’re calling on apprentices, employers, and learning providers across the UK who are breaking barriers, championing diversity, and making a difference in the world of apprenticeships. 🌍✨ 💫 Deadline to nominate: Friday 16th May – don’t miss your chance to shine a spotlight on outstanding talent and impact. But that’s not all… We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s Gala Dinner will be taking place in London on 7th November – and it’s set to be our biggest celebration yet! 🏆🎤🎶 Let’s come together to celebrate the power of inclusion, opportunity, and ambition. You or your Apprentice could be crowned Apprentice of the Year like these fantastic individuals below: Sanna Shabir EngTech MICE I Naila B Assoc - CIPD I Ahmed Munshi I Khaliqa Amani I kimmy kimani Hobbs I Justina Blair I Parris Small I Joseph Lennox CHA I Aaminah Ahmed 👉 [https://lnkd.in/eSF-qExM] #MulticulturalApprenticeshipAwards #Apprenticeships #DiversityMatters #10YearAnniversary #CelebrateSuccess #InclusionInAction

💡 THE APPRENTICE EXPERIENCE 💡 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2024 highly commended apprentice Irsa Hussain, ATT shares her apprenticeship journey. Irsa is currently a Senior Associate (Global Mobility Tax & Sales Enablement) at Vialto Partners and Level 7 Apprentice (ACA/CTA). https://lnkd.in/eFPvR_cX The Big Apprentice Meet Up, in partnership with the Multicultural Apprentice Network (Powered by Pathway Group) and the Association of Apprentices (AoA), and proudly sponsored by Kaplan UK, took place at BT Group, Birmingham. With more than 200 registered apprentices from various sectors in attendance, this event served as an inspiring platform for apprentices to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders. The event was marked by a series of dynamic sessions aimed at empowering apprentices and equipping them with tools for success. These sessions were tailored to highlight key aspects of personal and professional development within today’s evolving workplace. The Big Apprentice Meet Up exemplifies the power of collaboration and community in the apprenticeship sector. By bringing together apprentices from diverse backgrounds and industries, the BIG Apprentice Meet Up: Birmingham not only fostered valuable connections but also highlighted the potential of our apprentice community. The sessions on multicultural perspectives, networking, customer insights, and personal journeys provided a holistic view of what it means to be a successful apprentice in today's dynamic work environment. "The Association of Apprentices is proud to facilitate events like this and is thankful organisations such as the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance, Kaplan and BT Group for their commitment to the apprentice experience and for making events like this possible." Said Emily Rock, CEO Association of Apprentices. “The Big Apprentice Meet-Up was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse group of apprentices who are poised to shape the future of their industries. The partnership between Multicultural Apprentice Network, AoA, and Kaplan, along with the generous support from BT Group, ensured a well-rounded and enriching experience for all attendees. With its focus on diversity, customer insights, personal journeys, and professional networking, the event provided apprentices with the tools and inspiration they need to thrive in today’s competitive workforce.” Said Safaraz Ali, Founder and Chief Executive, Pathway Group & Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance #Apprentices #Apprenticeships #Skills #BigApprenticeMeetUp #Careers #EarlyCareers #SocialMobility

📢 🎉 Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance Patrons City of Wolverhampton College’s £8.1 million new training centre shortlisted for award 🎉 📢 A state of the art training facility built as the first phase of Wolverhampton Council’s City Learning Quarter master plan has been shortlisted in the 2025 West Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards. The £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre (ATAC) at City of Wolverhampton College’s Wellington Road campus in Bilston is in the running for the Building Project of the Year honour. The centre is delivering a multi skilled flexible workforce addressing skills shortages in the city. Almost 5,500 learners and 954 apprenticeships are forecast over the first 10 years of the centre. Peter Merry, Deputy Principal and Chief Executive of the College, said: “The Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre was designed with the requirement of students, apprentices, employers and the wider engineering and automotive sectors at its heart and enabled courses to be transferred from our Paget Road campus for the start of the academic year in September 2024. “Students are benefitting from learning in purpose built premises with industry standard equipment and facilities and, with so much construction taking place across the region, we are delighted that it has been shortlisted for the Building Project of the Year Award.” Massive Congratulations to the team at City of Wolverhampton College and Good Luck at the Awards! ✨ 🎉 Winners will be announced at an awards dinner on Thursday 1 May, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Read the full article in FE News below: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e4ZXNtTy Safaraz Ali (Saf), Lynn Parker, Louise Fall, Daniel Degg, Siobhan Plant, MA, Jaime Davies, Richard Hewitt, Laila Hudson, Ricki Sidhu, Gavin O'Meara, Kiranjit Kaur S., Eden Hancox, Sham Sharma, Martin Chandler, Alan Hill, Ahsan Husain FIEP, ★ FT Ali ★

Jenny Pelling, great post as always, showcasing a fabulous example of the impact of collaborative work. I'm so proud to be working with Kaplan and the Association of Apprentices; two amazing organisations in the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance! ✨

Compass Group UK and Ireland supports Apprenticeship Branding Conference - Engage ✨ 🎇 Compass Group UK & Ireland, Patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance proudly supported the Apprenticeship Branding Conference-Engage - as supporting Sponsors, held at Millennium Point Birmingham. The dynamic event explored innovative strategies for apprenticeships, focused on building and empowering engaging brands that connect and elevate. Renowned leaders and professionals presented on effective company and personal branding, recruitment, attraction, engagement and development techniques, collaboration and empowering organisations to attract and retain the best talent in the competitive world of apprenticeships. The event also showcased Compass Group UK & Ireland’s recent Path2Apprenticeship Programmes funded by West Midlands Combined Authority and delivered by Pathway Group at Xcelerate. Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills & Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “We were incredibly proud to sponsor this fantastic event. The themes of authenticity and partnership ran through every single panel, discussion, and connection made in the room, and it was truly inspiring to witness. The event created a space where real stories were shared, bold ideas exchanged, and the future of apprenticeships championed with purpose. It was particularly humbling and emotional to see and hear from some of our talented apprentices as part of the panel discussion. Kundai Nazare, Commis Chef was inspirational. His confidence, passion and pure happiness to be part of Compass re-enforces the impact programmes like Path2Apprenticeships has, creating opportunities that change lives while bringing amazing talent to our industry.” The Apprenticeship Branding Conference would like to express our sincere thanks to Compass Group UK & Ireland for their continued support. 🙏 Read the Full Article via the Link below: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e7Mbuc7u #EngageApps, #Apprenticeships, #Apprentices, #Earlycareers, #Careers, #Equity, #Diveristy, #Inclusion, #SocialMobility, #Multiculturalaa Safaraz Ali (Saf), Jonathan Foot, Carol Sommerville, Kirsty Adams, Barry Rotherham, Martin Chandler, Sanjay Kambo, Rachel Branigan, Charlotte Parriss, Mathew Ludlow, Jess Knight Assoc CIPD, Lucy Hunt, Kasim Choudhry, Luke Markham, Callum Greene, Sam Rooke, Jonathan Davies, Ahsan Husain FIEP, ★ FT Ali ★, Alan Hill Compass Group UK & Ireland, Multicultural Apprentice Network, Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, Apprenticeship Diversity & Social Mobility Forum, Festival of Apprenticeships,

This weekend, communities across the world came together to celebrate Vaisakhi – a vibrant festival marking the harvest season in Punjab, Northern India; however and more predominantly Celebrating the Birth of the Khalsa in Sikhism 🙏 A time of gratitude, reflection, and community spirit – values that resonate far beyond cultural lines. Whether you celebrated with family, friends, loved ones, attended a Nagar Kirtan, or simply took a moment to reflect, Vaisakhi reminds us of the power of unity, resilience, and renewal. I, along with over 15,000 others attended the Nagar Kirtan ( a public walking display of faith and community) in and around Walsall, West Midlands . A wonderful atmosphere and community togetherness of people from all faiths, religions and heritage, where Free food, drinks and the joyous occasion was shared and celebrated. A true example of Multicultural Unity at its BEST! ✨ 🎇 As part of my Sewa, which is selfless service without expectation of reward or recognition, a fundamental principle in the Sikh faith, I had the envious task of helping to fry 400kg, YES... 400kg of chips for the community!! To say that I never want to see another potato for the rest of the year is an understatement!! 😆 Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful Vaisakhi! 🙏 ❤️ 🎉 🙏 #Equity, #Diversity, #Inclusion, #Socialmobility, #Multiculturalaa, #Vaisakhi2025, #Vaisakhi Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance , Multicultural Apprentice Network , Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards , Apprenticeship Branding Conference , Apprenticeship Diversity & Social Mobility Forum , Festival of Apprenticeships , Pathway Group

Last Year we Turned "LinkedIn PINK!! 🎇 ✨ 🎉 This Year we went Full Circle and Turned "LinkedIn PURPLE" 🎇 ✨ 🎉 🔥 After the resounding success of our inaugural Apprenticeship Branding Conference-Amplify last year, which we surpassed with the success of the Apprenticeship Branding Conference-Engage which continues to send ripples throughout the #Apprenticeship & #Skills sector. I have been really humbled by the comments, emails, posts and feedback received. We strive to deliver excellence and meaningful impact in all our work; and I truly believe the Apprenticeship Branding Conference-Engage achieved that. The Insights, Innovative discussion, Inspirational Stories and Journeys, made this conference stand out and unique from others. Thank you to our amazing Sponsors, Panel Chairs, Panel Guests, Exhibitors, Delegates, Apprentices and Pathway Group colleagues whose support, commitment and contribution made this the most "Innovative, Inspirational & Impactful" Apprenticeship Conference of the Year. 🔥 Without your continued support this concept would have never come to reality! 🙏 Following the Conference we had an Apprentice Reception, where many apprentices attended to engage with the conference delegates and guests. Another successful event delivered by the Multicultural Apprentice Network and partners including Association of Apprentices, ACE Insights & Outer Circle. 👏 🎉 CONFERENCE SPONSORS: ➡️ Headline Sponsor: UCAS & UCAS Early Careers ➡️ Supporting Sponsors: Youth Futures Foundation ➡️ Apprentice Reception Sponsors: Compass Group UK & Ireland Exciting plans have already commenced for the Apprenticeship Branding Conference-Include in 2026. If you are interested in finding out more and how you can get involved, then please contact me directly. 📢 WATCH THIS SPACE FOR A DATE COMING OUT VERY SOON! 📢 ** I hope we choose an easier colour to rhyme with LinkedIn next year!! 🤣😃🤣 ✨ ALWAYS IN COLLABORATION & NEVER IN COMPETITION ✨ ➡️ Images Courtesy of Edwin Ladd & Mehrban Hussain ➡️ Conference Recording: Khoram Hedayati #EngaegApps, #Apprenticeships, #Apprentices, #Skills, #Careers, #Earlycareers, #Equity, #Diversity, #Inclusion, #Socialmobility, #Conference, #Multiculturalaa Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, Apprenticeship Diversity & Social Mobility Forum, Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, Festival of Apprenticeships