CBI back Asian Apprenticeship Awards

THE Confederation of British Industry is backing an initiative to encourage more British Asians to take up apprenticeships.

Representing 190,000 businesses in the United Kingdom, the CBI is supporting the Asian Apprenticeship Awards.

In their second year, the awards showcase the best of apprentices from the British Asian community and the people that employ them.

British Asians are under-represented when it comes to apprenticeships and the awards organised by The Pathway Group are designed to redress the balance.

“The Asian Apprenticeship Awards, now in their second year, are a great way to celebrate the talent and diversity of learners in our country,” said Carolyn Fairburn, Director General of the CBI.

“With diversity increasingly seen as a key driver of high performance in businesses, it is vitally important that the great careers that apprenticeships offer are available to every community and seen as important.

“The awards help us to celebrate success and build the reputation of apprenticeships as a fantastic option for any young person.”

Neil Carberry, Director for Skills and Employablity with the CBI said that apprenticeships offer young people an excellent route into a career often in sectors where firms are struggling to hire skilled people.

“The second Asian Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the success of work-based learning and emphasise the opportunities that are on offer to young people,” he said. And,

“With diversity a vital issue for British business, there has never been a better time to emphasise that the door to opportunity is open to people from all our communities. Best of luck from the CBI to all applicants!”

Isa Mutlib, Project Director for The Asian Apprenticeship Awards believes that the partnership with the CBI will help increase awareness of the value of apprenticeships amongst young people, employers and learning providers.

“It is great to have the CBI on board as supporters for the awards,” said Isa Mutlib.

“This will allow us to share our mission and rationale to a whole new audience to raise the awareness of British Asian Apprentices, their Employers and Learning Providers.”

The second Asian Apprenticeship Awards is set to take place on the Thursday, November 2 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. 2017.