The highly anticipated Asian Apprenticeship Awards took place on the evening of 10th November at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham City Centre.
The aim of these awards are to celebrate and recognise both the apprentices and the employers who hired them. With the amount of apprenticeships increasing yearly, having already undertaken 2 million of them, it is helping
the rates of employability increase. Now with additional higher and degree apprenticeships, there are even more opportunities for young people.
The evening was hosted by BBC Asian Network radio presenter Suzi Mann and well known comedian Guz Khan aka Guzzy Bear. Over 450 people attended the remarkable event, to celebrate the various types of talent and diversity that are found in apprenticeships. As well as this, to celebrate and recognise the amazing employers and learning providers who give a chance and reach out to the young people, helping them on their journey to becoming successful people.
The judging panel consisted of high profile individuals, who made the choices on the winners from the shortlists of nominees The judges included people such as Lindsay McCurdy who is the Founder & CEO of Apprenticeships4England, the Chief Executive of Police & Crime Commissioner, Nazir Afzal, Ninder Johal, the founder and Chief Executive of Nachural Music Ltd and was led by Steve Lawrence as the Chairman of the judging panel. 
The night was buzzing with people and packed full of entertainment. Bhangra Group Eternal Taal gave a smashing performance and comedian Patrick Monahan left the crowd in fits of laughter.
This was followed by a luxurious 4 course meal which was provided by the renowned Payal Catering.
Safaraz Ali, founder of the Awards said, “Apprentices are vital to our future but the Asian community is under represented so we wanted to try to do something about it and decided an awards evening was just the thing”.
“The best way to raise awareness and to encourage others is to show what can be achieved and we have been delighted by the response from apprentices, employers and sponsors.”
“Without the support of our apprentices, the people who employ them, our sponsors, judges and ambassadors this event would not have been possible.”
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Award winners:
Financial Legal and Professional Services
Apprentice Winner: Kam Penglin of Babington Group
Employer Winner: Barclays
Sponsor: Greater Birmingham Professional Services Academy (Part of Birmingham Metropolitan)
Health Medical and Social Care
Apprentice Winner: Alisha Tariq of Gordon Franks Training
Employer Winner: Linnaeus Group Ltd
Sponsor: Learning Curve Group
Retail Hospitality and Tourism
Apprentice Winner: Omar Zamir of ELDS Blackburn
Employer Winner: Chaudhry Travel
Sponsor: Spearhead eLearning
Charity Voluntary organisations and Public Services
Apprentice Winner: Shamimah Miah of St Wilfrid’s Academy
Employer Winner: ELDS Blackburn
Sponsor: Dudley College
Construction
Apprentice Winner: Muzamal Ishfaq of Ash’s Plumbing & Heating
Employer Winner: WSP |Parsons Brincherhoff
Sponsor: Bradford College Group
Engineering and Manufacturing
Apprentice Winner Winner: Sanna Shabir of Atkins Global
Employer Winner: Severn Trent Water
Sponsor: Semta
Creative and Digital
Apprentice Winner: Lubna Suleman of Creative Alliance
Employer Winner: Asian World Media Group
Sponsor: OFFERMOMENTS
Small and Medium Enterprise
Winner: NA Accountants
Sponsor: Severn Trent Water
Large Business of the Year
Winner: NG Bailey
Sponsor: World of Learning
Learning Provider of the Year
Winner: Nova Training
Sponsor: AELP
School or Academy of the Year
Winner: Washwood Heath Academy
Supporter: WorldSkills UK
Overall Contribution to Apprenticeships
Dame Asha Khemka
Sponsor: Pathway Group
Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Sanna Shabir
Sponsor: CareTech
