Three wise men

The 2020 Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Apprenticeship Awards finalists have been revealed following the online shortlisting event that took place earlier this month.

The BAME Apprenticeship Awards showcase the outstanding work and achievement of apprentices from black and minority ethnic groups and aim to raise the profile of not only exceptional BAME apprentices, but also employers and training providers across the UK, who are championing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

We are incredibly proud to announce that from over 300 nominations received nationally across a wide range of industry-specific categories for both apprentices and employers, as well as specific awards for learning providers, schools and academies, Royal Mail Group has been shortlisted in the employer finalist Transport and Logistics category. In addition, the below three colleagues have been shortlisted as BAME Apprenticeship Awards finalists:

Engineering and Manufacturing

• Ashaan Grewal, automation engineer, Greenford Mail Centre
• Daniel Kolahi, maintenance team leader, Warrington Mail Centre

Transport and Logistics

• Mustafa Khan, delivery line manager, Enfield Delivery Office

Keep an eye on Myroyalmail.com over the coming weeks, as we’ll be bringing you the individual success stories behind all three of our outstanding finalists.

Click here for the full apprentice finalist shortlist.

According to a 2019 government survey, between 2009 and 2018, the percentage of apprentices from the Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnic groups combined increased from 6.7 per cent to 11.1 per cent while the number of people who participated in apprenticeships tripled over the same period to 90,200.

The survey showed a growing demand among BAME apprentices for apprenticeships in three subject areas: business administration, health and social care and retail and commercial enterprises (accounting for 81 per cent of BAME apprentices compared with 72 per cent of ‘White’ apprentices). It also highlighted opportunities to improve representation in sectors such as engineering and construction, where BAME apprentices are currently underrepresented.

The BAME Apprenticeship Awards evolved from the Asian Apprenticeship Awards, which launched in 2016 and to date has engaged with over 1,000 apprentices from BAME backgrounds across the UK. In the last four years, the awards have created over 200 role models who have been able to use their success as a platform to celebrate their achievements in their apprenticeship. The awards have also been instrumental in creating future leaders and ambassadors for apprenticeships and brought to the forefront key issues surrounding the need for greater diversity within particular sectors.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 November at the 2020 BAME Apprenticeship Awards annual gala dinner in Birmingham. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we are unsure as yet, whether such an event will be possible.