Double Win at Asian Apprenticeship Awards

On Thursday 10th November at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham, 452 people gathered to recognise and celebrate the talent and diversity among apprentices within the BME Asian community, and the employers and learning providers who are reaching out to them.

The awards have been established to encourage more young British Asians to take up Apprenticeships. Apprentices are vital to future economic prosperity but there is an under representation of Asians taking up apprenticeships and this needs to change.

In order to inspire others, the Asian Apprenticeship Awards showcase the very best apprentices from this community.

 

Omar Zamir – Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Award

 

NLTG Apprentice, Omar Zamir is a young man with a huge determination to succeed despite being profoundly deaf.

It is his commitment that has earned him the accolade as the top British Asian apprentice in the first ever Asian Apprenticeship Awards.

He took the award at the end of a gala evening to celebrate the very best of apprentices from the British Asian community.

Omar works for ELDS Blackburn as a chef and has been learning his trade over the past three years.

His tutors say that despite having to communicate through an interpreter he has learned not only to cook a full menu but has integrated with his colleagues and also started to help to teach other young chefs.

Omar is described by his course tutor Jason Slater as an exceptional and positive student who always wants to produce the best dishes.

“I am surprised and delighted to get the award and my ambition is to travel the world working as a chef.” said Omar.

Safaraz Ali of the Pathway Group and founder of the Asian Apprenticeship Awards said that Omar sets a superb example.

“He is a young man with great ability who is determined to succeed despite being deaf and is an inspiration to other young British Asians.”

 

ELDS Blackburn – Charity Voluntary Organisations and Public Services Employer Award

A group that works with young deaf people to help them gain apprenticeships has had its work recognised.

NLTG employer, The East Lancashire Deaf Society won the Employer award in the Charity, Voluntary Organisations and Public Services category at the first ever Asian Apprenticeship Awards.

It offers a range of Apprenticeships for young people aged between 16 and 24 years.

“At the moment we have 20 apprentices,” said Michael Stead of ELDS Blackburn.

“We are extremely proud and humbled to be recognised for our involvement, as both employer and learning provider, in supporting the BME Asian community.”

ELDS Blackburn took the award at the end of a gala evening to celebrate the very best of apprentices from the British Asian community.

Safaraz Ali of the Pathway Group and founder of the Asian Apprenticeship Awards said that organisations like ELDS Blackburn do important work.

“It is excellent that young British Asian people who are deaf are being helped in this way to build careers through Apprenticeships.” said Safaraz Ali.