WorldSkills UK’s annual celebration of equity, diversity and inclusion in the technical education sector is open for nominations.
Now in its fifth year, the WorldSkills UK Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards recognise those individuals and organisations that are making a difference to apprentices and learners across the UK.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “As we celebrate the fifth year of our awards, we continue to be committed to honouring the individuals and organisations that are making a real difference to the equity, diversity and inclusion in the UK Skills system. I would encourage you all to nominate your shining stars and together we can help drive change, ensuring high-quality technical education and apprenticeships are available and accessible to all young people.”
Skills and Education Group and UVAC are the headline sponsors for this year’s awards.
The eight award categories are:
- Apprentice of the Year
- Inclusive Employer of the Year
- Training Provider of the Year
- Innovator of the Year (Sponsor: Enginuity)
- Educator of the Year
- Institution of the Year (Sponsor: UVAC)
- Social Mobility champion (Sponsor: Skills and Education Group)
- Women in STEM (Sponsor: Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry)
A special honour will also be presented at the awards ceremony, to be held in early 2025 in Central London. Judges will select ‘Outstanding Contribution of the Year’, sponsored by IntoFilm, from all of the nominations received
Harvis Jarvid, a degree apprentice with Lloyds Banking Group, who won an award last year, said: “Winning a WorldSkills UK award was amazing, I didn’t expect it all. Lloyds Bank has been so supportive of not only my apprenticeship journey, but the wider diversity agenda. I hope events like the WorldSkills UK Heroes Awards show that organisations really need to start including diversity as a key factor in business planning, it delivers value for all, staff, customers and the wider community.”
