The awards ceremony on Friday, 7 November, was a truly special evening, recognising the fantastic work being done across the sector to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in apprenticeships and skills.

This recognition is a direct testament to the values we live by. Upon receiving the award, Kaye said:

Being recognised in this category strongly confirms that our commitment to being an inclusive employer is making a tangible difference and celebrates the work we do every day, driven by our core belief that education and skills should be accessible to everyone.

Accelerating Social Mobility through our Foundation

A major part of our submission highlighted the impact of the Skills and Education Group Foundation. In the 2023/2024 academic year alone, the Foundation provided £129,820 in funding to the sector, directly engaging with and supporting 3,580 learners and 248 staff.

Crucially, this support is reaching the learners who need it most:

• 38% of the learners supported through our Foundation Grants were from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

• 87% of supported learners had some health impairment, making studying a challenge.

The Foundation’s grants have directly supported projects that reflect our ethos, such as assisting ESOL Students at Shipley College, providing transport for a disabled elite swimmer, and funding a Sensory Garden for SEND learners at York College.

Empowering Inclusivity in the sector

Our internal culture and professional development offer are designed to champion diversity within the skills sector. We run an active EDI Community (Network) committed to dismantling bias and building inclusive cultures.

Our Professional Development sessions are deliberately focused on inclusivity, covering essential topics like:

• Autism Ally: Understanding Autism through a Neuroaffirming Lens

• Widening Participation in Apprenticeships & Skills for Marginalised Communities

• Unlocking Inclusive Learning: Strategies for Diverse Success
  

We are also incredibly proud to celebrate the success of our own apprentice, Zach Bennett! Zach, who has been with us for just over a year, was shortlisted as a finalist in the highly competitive Creative, Media, and Marketing category at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards. This is an incredible achievement so early in their career and demonstrates their talent and passion for marketing and making an impact through education.

Committed to the Future

Winning the MCA Award is a proud moment of recognition, a milestone in our ongoing journey. We remain dedicated to ensuring that individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities have equitable opportunities to succeed.

We want to thank our incredible staff, our partners, and the Skills and Education Group Foundation for their hard work and dedication. We also extend our thanks to the MCA Awards for organising an event that champions these vital conversations and achievements, and NCFE for sponsoring the award.

Here’s to many more years of working together to build a truly inclusive education and skills sector!