Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025 in partnership with Pearson - Full Event Highlight Video

VIEW THIS YEAR'S WINNERS 👉https://multiculturalapprenticeshipaw... A Decade of Impact: The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards Celebrate 10 Years of Inspiring Change at Landmark London Event Friday 7th November 2025 – Over 700 guests gathered at the Hilton London Metropole for the 10th annual Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, marking a decade of celebrating the nation’s most inspiring apprentices and the employers, learning providers, and institutions that champion them. Founded by The Pathway Group, in partnership with the world’s lifelong learning company Pearson, this year’s milestone event represented a powerful moment of reflection, growth, and renewed purpose. Since its inception in 2015, the Awards have engaged more than 3,000 apprentices, 500 employers, and 100 learning providers across every major sector, a remarkable journey of transformation, inclusion, and innovation. Hosted in London for the first time, the move to the capital signifies the Awards’ growing national impact and expanding mission to engage communities from every region of the UK. The evening was co-hosted by 2024 Young Professional of the Year and Arup apprentice Santina Bunting, alongside presenter Tommy Sandhu. Opening the evening, Oliver Latham, VP Enterprise, EMEA, Enterprise Learning & Skills at Pearson, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards. Pearson is proud to be a partner and we actively promote and support apprenticeships in our own business and with customers. Apprenticeships create opportunities for people in all walks of life, and give people the tools they need to make a direct impact in the workplace and realise their potential.” With over 500 nominations received this year, 152 apprentices, 44 employers, 14 learning providers, 8 universities, and 8 schools were shortlisted, each representing a story of ambition, determination and excellence. A theme of ‘Resilience’ resonated throughout the evening, as winning apprentices shared powerful journeys of overcoming adversity, from homelessness and life-threatening illness, to personal hardship and systemic barriers. Amongst the standout winners were: Simona Olok Kweya, NatWest Group, winner of Level 3 Apprentice of the Year, whose journey from growing up in a low-income background with no previous banking experience to a trusted Assistant Relationship Manager within six months exemplifies courage and determination. Aliea Mahmood, Great Ormond Street Hospital, winner of Health, Medical & Social Care Apprentice of the Year, recognised for her nine-year apprenticeship journey, culminating in her pioneering an AI model predicting kidney failure, the first of its kind in the UK. Efan Mutembo, Worldline UK&I, winner of Digital & Technology Apprentice of the Year, for developing the UK’s first rail chatbot and delivering a key role in a multi-million-pound project. Zain Ali Khan, McDonald’s, winner of Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Apprentice of the Year, for leading one of the UK’s busiest McDonald’s restaurants with over 100 staff at just 21 years old. Adesewa Adetoro, Microsoft, winner of Creative, Media & Marketing Apprentice of the Year, for being a young, neurodiverse woman championing representation and inclusion in tech and marketing through national and corporate engagement and having of a philosophy of “I won’t just sit at the table, I’ll make sure there are more chairs”. Organisations including AstraZeneca, Royal Mail, BBC, and The University of Wolverhampton were honoured for their outstanding contribution to apprenticeships, while Alperton Community School made history as the first ever School of the Year, recognised for its pioneering programme transforming opportunities for underrepresented students. The event also saw Dan Howard (Partnership Development Director at Lifetime Training), Lucy Hunte (National Programme Manager of Apprenticeships at NHS England), Kirstie Donnelly MBE (CEO of City & Guilds) & Sharon Blyfield OBE (Head of Early Careers and Apprenticeships at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners) awarded for their outstanding leadership and advocacy in the apprenticeship sector. The evening culminated in Isha Ahmed, Architectural Assistant Apprentice at WW+P Architects, being crowned Apprentice of the Year 2025. Isha’s trailblazing work in architecture and tireless advocacy for diversity, mentorship, and apprenticeship funding embodies the transformative spirit of the Awards. Reflecting on the event, Safaraz Ali, Founder of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and CEO of Pathway Group, said: “As we celebrate ten years of progress, we’re reminded that apprenticeships don’t just change careers, they change lives. Our mission remains to celebrate, elevate and connect talent from every community. Together, we’re building a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive future for all.” #MCAppAwards