Accolades aplenty
The 2020 Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Apprenticeship Awards apprentice finalists were revealed in an online shortlisting event that took place last 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, automation maintenance engineer, Ashaan Grewal, from Greenford Mail Centre, is one of three colleagues, who have been shortlisted as BAME Apprenticeship Awards finalists.
‘I started my journey as an apprentice with Royal Mail seven years ago and haven’t looked back since,’ said Ashaan. ‘I come from a family of engineers and mechanics, so pursuing a career in the field felt almost natural to me.
‘When I finished my initial engineering apprenticeship with Royal Mail, I enrolled on another at a higher level, through the engineering development program. The experience I had the first time round almost certainly made my decision to apply for another apprenticeship, an easy one.
‘In the engineering section of the business, the use of machines to automate the handling of mail and parcels and improve the effectiveness of the service Royal Mail provides is an important one. Through my time as an apprentice learning how the machines work, and under the guidance of other engineers, I started to use my natural curiosity and newly gained skills to make the machines more efficient.’
Ashaan has achieved several accolades since working for Royal Mail, including a BTEC Level 2 and 3 in engineering maintenance, an NVQ Level 3 in engineering operations, Engineering Technician (EngTech) status with the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award. Ashaan was invited to Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s garden party and was a VIP host for businesses at the graduation events at St James’ Palace.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Ashaan is also a qualified mental health first-aider, a position he obtained through the MIND charity. He is currently studying towards an NVQ Level 4 engineering and HNC in engineering operations.
‘In terms of my future at Royal Mail, I want to progress to the higher ranks of the engineering sector of the business,’ said Ashaan. ‘I have developed a lot of skills and experience from the training and qualifications I’ve obtained, and I would love to put them all to good use.
‘My journey so far has been an incredible one. I recommend the job to everyone who asks. The mentorship, from the program leaders to the team leaders and coaches, has been incredibly supportive right from the beginning, and I would like to thank each and every one of them.’
Keep reading myroyalmail.com 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. 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, it is unknown yet whether such an event will be possible.
