Mayor announces winners of the fourth annual Adult Learning Awards

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the winners of the fourth annual Adult Learning Awards, celebrating the individuals and organisations helping Londoners to gain new skills, progress in their careers, and drive inclusive growth across the capital.

 

The awards are the Mayor’s annual flagship skills event, showcasing the incredible work happening across London’s adult learning and skills sector. They aim to celebrate the organisations and individuals supporting Londoners to enhance their skills so they can achieve their potential and progress in good jobs. The awards also reflect the ambitions of the Mayor’s newly launched Inclusive Talent Strategy, which aims to ensure Londoners can benefit from the city’s growth while giving businesses and the wider economy access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive.

 

Hosted by Jimmy McLoughlin OBE, a former Downing Street special advisor on business, technology and entrepreneurship and host of podcast Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future, the awards ceremony was held at City Hall on Thursday 13 November. Playwright, broadcaster and author Bonnie Greer OBE and Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth also spoke at the event.

 

Around 150 business representatives, community organisations, Londoners and Further Education (FE) professionals came together to celebrate their award wins and the inspirational stories behind their achievements. Attendees were entertained by the City Lit Percussion Orchestra, made up of students from the college.

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the award winners and nominees of the fourth Adult Learning Awards. They have inspired others to learn, train and gain new skills.

 

“I’m committed to supporting Londoners to access good quality courses to help fulfil their potential and access well-paid jobs. I will continue to do all I can to ensure adult learning is accessible to all as we build a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”

 

Jimmy McLoughlin OBE said:  “Congratulations to all of this years winners and nominees. It’s been a real privilege to host this year’s Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards and celebrate the impact of lifelong learning. I speak to businesses and entrepreneurs regularly about the jobs of future through my podcast, Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future’, and it’s great to see how training is helping Londoner’s prepare for our changing labour market and giving business the people they need to thrive”

 

Phil Wilkinson, Group CEO of Ascentis, said: “As a leading education charity and the No.1 Awarding organisation for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Ascentis is proud to sponsor the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards for the fourth consecutive year. We are pleased to support the vital work of the Mayor in recognising the achievements of adult learners, employers and community organisations across London.

 

“We are also proud to sponsor the specific award of “Distinguished Provider for Adult Education” which recognises the great work of an organisation that demonstrates commitment to Londoners, tutors and the communities in which they serve. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all the award winners, and I look forward to continuing to support the Mayor in his drive to transform the lives of adults in London through the power of education.”

 

Keighley Luff is a Technical Administrator, for Chelsea Football Club and winner of the Learning for Good Work Award. Keighley joined the Facilities Management apprenticeship scheme at Chelsea FC and has progressed so far that she has now become a mentor to other apprentices joining the programme.

 

Keighley said: “This apprenticeship hasn’t just changed my career - it’s changed how I see myself. I wasn’t sure I belonged on a high-level programme, and I doubted whether my role would allow me to grow. But over time, I’ve discovered that discomfort can be a powerful space for learning.”

 

Hamzeh Mouallem arrived in London in 2019 after escaping the war in Syria and spoke very little English. After studying at the City of Westminster Hamzeh can now speak English at essay standard and is planning to study at West London University to convert his Business HNS into a BA Hons.

 

Hamzeh said: “The learning has had a huge impact. I now speak English with confidence, and I understand the UK business environment in a way that opens real opportunities for me.

 

“One of the most rewarding parts of this journey is seeing my brother willing to enrol in college because of my experience. It’s transformed me personally and inspired those around me.”

 

The Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards are delivered with the support of Ascentis and sponsored by FE Week.