London Borough Apprenticeship Awards 2023 - the Shortlist

Jawad Ibrahimi, Camden 

Jawad, an Afghan refugee, arrived in the UK in 2021 and found accommodation in a hotel. He secured an administration position and progressed to an Advanced Business Administrator apprenticeship. Despite language barriers, he improved his skills and began helping other refugees. Jawad featured in promotional videos, delivered a moving speech at a Camden Apprenticeships event, highlighting integration and giving back. 

Marcus Shalaby, Ealing 

Marcus faced challenges but achieved high grades in school. He secured a Level 3 business admin apprenticeship despite being the youngest candidate. Marcus received awards for resilience and contributions. He supports peers, leads projects, improves customer experience, screens candidates, and enhances team efficiency. His dedication strengthens partnerships and he is a valuable asset to the team. 

Chloe Raeburn, Hillingdon 

Chloe excels as an Apprentice Housing Register and Temp Accommodation. She manages a growing workload, securing placements, negotiating with landlords, and meeting administrative tasks within 25 hours. Chloe's professionalism and empathy exceed expectations when dealing with residents, colleagues, and partners. She promotes apprenticeships, trains new staff, and goes the extra mile by working after hours to assist homeless applicants. 

Adam Mohammed, Newham 

Adam's dedication to improving Newham residents' financial wellbeing is evident. He partnered with VCFS organisations, ensuring access to vital assistance through the Household Support Fund. As a project manager, he successfully distributed £200k worth of food vouchers, benefiting over 30,000 residents. Adam's creativity shone through engaging videos and inspiring workshops. His proactive engagement and practical support make him an exceptional apprentice, contributing to the community.  

Amy Usbas, Waltham Forest 

Amy, a dedicated apprentice in the Organisational Development Team, showed leadership, problem-solving, and proactive thinking. Despite changes in senior management and reduced team capacity, Amy successfully managed deadlines, supported colleagues, and ensured service delivery. She led Care Home roadshows, managed appraisals, and actively promotes apprenticeships. Amy's passion, enthusiasm, and motivation make her an invaluable asset to the team. 

Abdallah Albeiti, Westminster 

Abdallah excelled in both the Digital Inclusion and Finance Teams, providing valuable data analysis support. He utilised various tools to create trackers and a digital inclusion dashboard, enhancing project monitoring and efficiency. Abdallah's presentations on his apprenticeship journey highlighted the program's impact on career development and decision-making. His commitment to improving the organisation and serving the community shines through his work and shared experiences. 

Alishea Darnley, Brent 

Alishea Darnley, an Occupational Therapy apprentice, excels in managing complex reablement needs and seeks learning opportunities. Her expanded skills improve team productivity. Alishea promotes the apprenticeship program, supports new members, and receives positive feedback. Her dedication, positive attitude, and passion for Occupational Therapy make her invaluable to the team and council. 

Sharon Collins, Camden 

Sharon, a full-time mother for 19 years, overcame her anxieties and excelled in her apprenticeship as a Legal Administrative Assistant. She swiftly progressed, training as a Registrar and demonstrating a strong ability to absorb knowledge. Sharon's thoughtful attitude, tact, and sensitivity make her valuable in the role. She actively promotes apprenticeships, emphasising their support for returning mothers. 

Suzanna Lovell, Ealing 

Suzanna completed a business administrator apprenticeship before transitioning into a role as an assistant surveyor through a degree apprenticeship, a first for Ealing Council. She manages her own caseload and coordinates the council's handyperson scheme. Despite facing obstacles like dyslexia and bullying, Suzanna is determined to break gender barriers in surveying. She actively promotes apprenticeships, addresses community organisations, and remains focused on excelling in her career. 

Alexander Ferry, Greenwich 

Alex worked across a number of teams with an enthusiastic can- do attitude, forming excellent relationships with staff at all levels. He was promoted to Housing Inclusion Project Coordinator in 2022, where he has led on improvements to the council’s services, supporting staff and residents, and now manages a new apprentice.  

Asiya Mohamud, Hammersmith & Fulham 

Asiya joined the council as a school leaver, and after her apprenticeship joined the data and resourcing team. She is effective at reducing resourcing expenditure, has become deeply involved in ED&I work in the council, and leads apprenticeship network sessions, regularly engaging and presenting to council staff and residents. She mentors two apprentices.  

Anna Redmond, Lewisham 

Anna became an apprentice as a parent in a career change, previously teaching yoga and music. Following her project management apprenticeship, Anna is thriving in the Business Improvement team. She juggles multiple projects with competing demands, and her sensitive relationship management, exceptional planning skills and a willingness to roll her sleeves up in a demanding role are great benefits to her colleagues and residents.  She now mentors two apprentices.  

Hattie Matthews, Merton 

Following her apprenticeship, Hattie became Merton’s first Digital Communications Officer. She has formed excellent relationships across the council, and is now the go-to officer for digital advice. She led communications around the King’s Coronation, liaising with stakeholders, and managing a member of staff, attracting new followers to the borough’s media channels.  

Jemel Harri-Nanan, Brent 

Jemel is a local resident who previously worked at a local bike shop and was made redundant during the pandemic. In his role with HS2s Old Oak Common construction partner, BBVS, Jemel has impressed his manager with his knowledge and positive attitude, taking on every task wih eagerness and a positive attitude. He progressed from a placement in BBVS’s procurement and supply chain team to an apprenticeship where he runs bi-weekly town hall meetings and promotes apprenticeships.  

Aliandra Nunes da Cruz, Camden 

Aliandra delivers inclusive play and learning opportunities, working as an Advanced Early Years Educator Apprentice at PACE, a charity offering children’s play services and Early Years Education. She always goes the extra mile, proactively leading projects promoting healthy eating and well-being for families, finding memorable, fun methods to convey important information. 

Tyler Pearce-Scott, Ealing 

Tyler is a communications technician apprentice at HS2s Old Oak Common construction partner, BBVS. He has always lived in Ealing and became an apprentice as a school leaver. In this role he has set up the IT facilities at BBVS’s new site office in Ealing. He will begin a level 6 degree IT apprenticeship in September. He is committed to giving back to his local community, and fulfils his role with energy and dedication.  

Nathan Edwards, Greenwich 

Nathan is a class teacher and PE lead in Greenwich. He devised a novel homework system that accelerated achievement across an entire year group. Through innovative techniques and personalised feedback, students experienced improved confidence and achievement. Nathan's passion for teaching and dedication to making a difference led him to take charge of a school football team. He transformed the team into a formidable force, fostering teamwork, discipline, and resilience. 

Abigail Lennard, Havering 

Abigail is an Apprentice Teaching Assistant in Havering who has gone above and over expectations. She has used her qualifications to support several pupils going through difficult circumstances and identifying pupils with delays in speech in Key Stage 1. She has been a hugely positive presence at her school and has been offered a permanent position as a result. 

Pete Kahara, Camden 

Pete works in the Inclusive Economy team in Camden and has shown great dedication as a mentor to his apprentices. Pete has surpassed his job role and helped his apprentice Jawad to settle into life in the UK while also encouraging and assisting him in improving his language skills. He is also the go-to mentor for apprentices across the Council. Despite his heavy workload, Pete never turns anyone away. 

Mena Openibo, Hammersmith & Fulham 

Mena is a resourcing consultant at Hammersmith and Fulham. She has shown outstanding leadership, guidance, and genuine concern for the success of her apprentices. Mena is exceptionally dedicated, particularly in identifying future career pathways for Apprentices. 

Lisa Lewis, Lewisham 

Lisa Lewis is a Learning & Development Support Officer in Lewisham who is a champion for learning and helping others thrive. Her consistent, supportive and selfless mentoring has immeasurable impact on the lives of others and her service provides the blueprint for her former apprentices to provide the same insight and support.  

Natasha Sutton, Tower Hamlets 

Natasha Sutton is a Personalised Project Manager within the Integrated Commissioning Team in Tower Hamlets and is managing a Special Educational Needs Apprentice. Whilst successfully integrating him into her team, removing barriers and becoming an advocate for all SEND apprentices. Natasha has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure she had the tools to adequately support him.

London Borough of Camden

Camden prioritises social value in contracts, commissioning £181m in 2022/23. They secure commitments for apprenticeships, work placements, and jobs. Local employers like K10 and Osbornes Law receive ongoing apprenticeship support. Over £73,000 unspent Levy funds 15 apprenticeships. The Inclusive Business Network promotes good work standards, and Camden partners with neighbouring areas for job support. They collaborate with Google, UCL, and others for the Camden STEAM program, for the benefit of young people.

London Borough of Ealing

HS2, Europe's largest infrastructure program, prioritises skills and employment. Ealing Council, an HS2 partner, secures benefits for disadvantaged groups, with priority access to employment for residents. They've obtained apprenticeship opportunities and HS2 Community Funds for an employment hub. Partnerships have resulted in 8% of Londoners starting apprenticeships being Ealing residents. Ealing Council and HS2 plan to leverage upcoming opportunities for further success.

London Borough of Lambeth

Lambeth Council works with local businesses to create apprenticeships for residents facing barriers to employment. Over 220 apprenticeships were achieved through negotiations. The council targets disadvantaged young people with initiatives like the Contractor's Challenge, providing work experience and apprenticeships. Berkeley Homes has been a leading employer partner, offering apprenticeships and collaborating on procurement and social value efforts with the council and local institutions.