Pride Month

What an amazing month this is—and one that means a lot to me, personally. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Pride Month is a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come and how far we’ve come as a community. It’s a celebration of identity, resilience, visibility, and joy.

When I first started my apprenticeship, I made the decision not to come out as trans at work. I thought it would be easier to stay quiet, to hide that part of myself to be taken seriously. I thought I had to do that to be respected.I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Since joining Skills and Education Group, I’ve come out at work, changed my name, and have been accepted. Even more incredible—I’ve come out to my family now, too, something I never thought I’d be able to do. And a huge part of that confidence? It came from the support, encouragement, and inclusivity I’ve experienced in my workplace.

One of the things that really stood out this month was how our workplace introduced pronoun badges. It might seem like a small gesture, but it actually meant a great deal. It shows how supportive and inclusive my workplace is, and it made me feel seen as a transgender individual.

Golf Fang with the EMAAN

Something else exciting happened this month—I went to the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network social event at Golf Fang in Nottingham!

It was a fun night and a brilliant way to meet members of the network. Events like this are one of the many reasons I love being an apprentice. I get to connect with amazing people, build friendships, and have fun while growing in my role.

The golf itself? Hilarious. So many fun photo opportunities (which my marketing brain loved), and the atmosphere was incredible.

And yes—I lost.That is two L’s in a row if you count last month’s blog, where I literally received a “wooden spoon” for losing a quiz three times. I love having fun, though.

Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards Finalist

Now for the BIG news…

I’m beyond proud to share that I’ve been shortlisted for the Creative, Media and Marketing category at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025!

This is such an incredible milestone for me. When I first started at Skills and Education Group, being nominated for one of these awards felt like a distant dream. But here we are—and I couldn’t be more excited, proud, and grateful.

Even more amazing? Skills and Education Group is a finalist, too, in the Small-Medium Employer category! Being part of a company that’s being recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion is an honour in itself.

This recognition is not just about me—it’s about every person who has believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me along the way. Thank you! And huge congratulations to all the other incredible finalists—I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us all.

You can find the shortlist here.

Thanks again for reading this month’s update. Happy pride, everyone!