An inspirational keyworker who was the big winner at last year's Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards says the experience has helped to boost his confidence.
Mohammed Islam from West Midlands Ambulance Service scooped the Health, Education and Care category before being picked from the five individual winners to take home
Entries are now open for the newly named - run in partnership with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign - and will recognise achievement across 12 separate categories.
The awards, run by our sister website , mark individual excellence in six different business sectors alongside recognition for companies of all sizes and training providers.
West Midlands Ambulance Service worker Mohammed epitomised the spirit of key workers during the height of the covid-19 pandemic.
The father of three young children had juggled work, parenting and apprenticeship studies, completing his diploma in September alongside further qualifications in maths and English.
Mohammed said: "I strongly recommend the awards. I didn't expect to win anything and by winning it gave me a lot of confidence."
Mohammed, 35, worked in security at a hospital for many years but joined the West Midlands patient transport service in late 2018 and the following year began studying for a diploma in healthcare support. His ultimate goal is to become a paramedic.
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He said: "Going out there and talking to younger apprentices and people who want to do apprenticeships, I say to them that, for me it was the way forward.
"It is whatever helps you to learn. For me it was an apprenticeship, I wasn't a classroom person. Nothing is unreachable, you have just got to put the effort in."
The headline sponsor of the is Sandwell College Gateway 2 Employment.
Head of engagement Sanjeev Gill said: "Sandwell College Gateway 2 Employment is proud to be the headline sponsor of the awards and a passionate supporter of apprenticeships, celebrating the skills apprentices develop and the success of their achievements."
- For more details about Sandwell College Gateway 2 Employment, call 0121 667 5018 or email apprentice@sandwell.ac.uk
How to get involved
For entry criteria and to submit a nomination visit The deadline to enter awards is Friday September 17 and the ceremony will take place on Thursday November 11 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham Email richard.edwards@reachplc.com for further information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities and follow the hashtag #GBAA21 for updates on social media |
The 2021 award categories are:
- Apprentice of the Year - Health, Education & Care, sponsored by
- Apprentice of the Year - Construction and Property Industries
- Apprentice of the Year - Engineering and Manufacturing
- Apprentice of the Year - Professional Services
- Apprentice of the Year - Tech, Digital and Creative Industries, sponsored by
- Apprentice of the Year - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
- Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by (chosen from the six category winners above)
- Small Employer of the Year (1-50 staff), sponsored by
- Medium Employer of the Year (51-249 staff)
- Large Employer of the Year (250+ staff), sponsored by
- Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by
- Education Engagement Award
The awards are run in conjunction with the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign, an initiative in Birmingham and Solihull. To find out more about the Ladder campaign and how employing apprentices can benefit your business, visit or call 03332 409 699.