Mayor celebrates inspiring winners of his flagship Adult Learning Awards for 2023
- Mayor announces winners of his Adult Learning Awards for 2023 highlighting the transformative impact of London’s skills sector
- Now in their second year, the Adult Learning Awards celebrate individuals and organisations helping Londoners reach their potential and kickstart their careers
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the winners of his flagship Adult Learning Awards for 2023.
The Adult Learning Awards, now in their second year, are awarded to individuals and organisations for their stellar achievements in adult learning and commitment to helping Londoners reach their potential and progress their careers.
The nine awards categories highlight the transformative impact of adult learning to both personal and professional development, and are part of the Mayor’s mission to help more Londoners into well-paid and fulfilling jobs in London’s key sectors.
The awards ceremony, held yesterday at City Hall, saw more than 150 representatives from the adult education, business, public and community sector gathered to celebrate their success.
Pablo Lloyd, CEO of Capital City Colleges Group and founder of several educational start-ups, hosted the event alongside former BBC Arts journalist and incoming Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Will Gompertz, who congratulated award winners for the impressive perseverance and hard work they have demonstrated.
Funmbi Tikare, a representative from Greggs, who was the first recipient of the Mayor’s ‘Employer of the Year’ award last year, addressed the event and highlighted the bakery chain’s ground-breaking partnership with Lewisham College to upskill their employees.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m committed to making sure that all Londoners, whatever their age, have the opportunity to learn new skills, fulfil their potential and access good quality jobs.
“I would like to congratulate all the inspiring winners and nominees of my Adult Learning Awards for their commitment and for showing us that it’s never too late to learn something new.
“I will continue to do all that I can to make adult learning more accessible as we build a fairer, better and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Pablo Lloyd, Group CEO of Capital City College Group and host of the 2023 Awards, said: “I was delighted to host the Mayor of London’s Adult Learning Awards this year. As CEO of Capital City College Group, I know the transformational effect of learning and education. I’m proud that we, alongside all the other providers in London, helped over 100,000 Londoners achieved positive economic outcomes last year through London’s adult education budget. The Awards were a fantastic will be a chance to celebrate the best of adult learning in London.”
Will Gompertz, incoming Director of the Sir John Soane’s Museum and guest speaker at the Awards, said: “Having started in the arts sector at 18, I know the importance of training and progression for our vibrant creative sector. I’m delighted to attend the second Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards, celebrating the inspirational Londoners and organisations making a difference to skills across the city.”
Phil Wilkinson, Group CEO of Ascentis, said: “We’re proud to sponsor the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards, and be part of this fantastic event for the second year running. At Ascentis we see the life-changing impact of adult learning every day, from taking a first step into work to boosting career progression. Congratulations to all the inspirational winners recognised in this year’s ceremony.”
Nabeel Ahmed, winner of Inspirational Adult Learner of the Year, said: “Studying has given me my life back. Without this course I do not know where I would be. I have learned to read, speak, write and listen to English, and I have also learned maths and computing. This has enabled me to become more independent in my life and has given me hope that I will be able to find a job soon. Learning has given me hope for the future.”
Catherine Mahoney, CEO of Unfold, winner of Outreach and Engagement of Adults into Learning Award, said: “At Unfold, we get people where they want to be, and many women we support haven’t had the space or encouragement to think about that. Our mentoring and group sessions help people to build the confidence they need to try new opportunities, and our signposting and referral resources help people find out about what’s available to them.”
The Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards have been delivered with the support of Ascentis and sponsored by FE Week.
ENDS
Notes to editors
This year’s Adult Learning Awards took place at City Hall on Thursday 2 November.
The full list of winners are:
Inspirational Adult Learner of the Year
Winner: Nabeel Ahmed
Nabeel arrived in the UK alone, severely disabled and unable to speak English. Enrolling on an ESOL course at New City College has helped him adapt to the UK, gain skills in English, maths and computing. He is now working towards higher level study and hopes to find employment soon.
Learning for Personal Progression
Winner: Charlie Kebell
Through enrolling on Adult Learning Lewisham’s Supported Learning Maths, English and Work skills courses, Charlie completed a four-month work experience placement programme at a café and is now working as a theatre assistant. He has made new friends and gained skills and confidence.
Learning for Good Work Award
Winner: Benjamin Lees
Benjamin completed London Ambulance Service’s front-line level 4 ambulance apprenticeship in 2020. In 2021, he successfully gained a place to undertake the paramedic degree apprenticeship, alongside working frontline with the London Ambulance Service and aspires to become a paramedic within the next year.
Distinguished Provider of Adult Education
Winner: London Skills and Development Network
London Skills and Development Network offers learning opportunities to people who are the most marginalised in society. Their learners go on to good-quality and sustainable careers in education, transport, engineering, healthcare, hospitality, public services, and as teachers, mentors, mental health advocates and public safety officers.
Inclusive Provider of Adult Education
Winner: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Having identified that many of their staff want to progress but are lacking the necessary maths and English skills, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust organised conversation clubs, night schools and an internal skills hub to support staff learning maths and English. They go the extra mile to support entry-level staff and accommodate those with families, making learning more accessible than before.
Learning for Good Work Employer of the Year
Winner: SEND COFFEE
SEND Coffee helps young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to work as baristas in their cafes, offering them mentoring and training and paying them a London Living Wage while they learn.
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year
Winner: London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust offers an apprenticeship frontline ambulance career pathway which allows individuals with no clinical experience or qualifications to join the service and progress to becoming a paramedic in just over four years. They currently have around 650 apprentices undertaking the pathway.
Outreach and Engagement of Adults into Learning Award
Winner: Unfold
Unfold is a not-for-profit programme offering one-to-one mentoring provided by trained, supervised volunteers, and running unique peer support groups for women and non-binary people, including those seeking asylum, in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.
Inspirational Tutor in Adult Education Award
Winner: Anastasiia Trubkina
Having been an English teacher in Ukraine, Anastasiia joined MI ComputSolutions and started teaching ESOL when she came to the UK. In just a year, she quickly expanded her ability to teach at all levels and provides valuable guidance and support to refugee and migrant learners.
Inspirational Professional in Adult Education Award
Winner: Danijela Skoric
As ESOL Curriculum Manager at Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service, Danijela supports ESOL learners with practical queries as well as their health and well-being by guiding them to resources for enrichment opportunities and employment services. She also mentors new lecturers and work behind-the-scenes to improve teaching quality.