Mayor announces winners of third annual Adult Learning Awards

• The third annual Adult Learning Awards celebrate individuals and organisations helping Londoners reach their potential, kickstart their careers and boost London’s economy.
• The City Hall ceremony celebrated the inspirational stories of Londoners, employers and community organisations.
• This year saw a record number of nominations across the 10 categories

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the winners of his flagship Adult Learning Awards for 2024.

The awards shine a light on the individuals and organisations helping Londoners to boost their skills, achieve their potential and progress their careers.

Now in their third year, the awards received a record number of nominations across the 10 awards categories – 329.  The ceremony, held at City Hall, saw more than 140 Londoners and representatives from businesses, community organisations and the capital’s thriving Further Education (FE) sector come together to celebrate the inspirational stories behind their successes.

Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber hosted the event and presented awards to winners on stage.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m committed to ensuring that all Londoners have access to good quality learning and training courses to help fulfil their potential and access high-quality, well-paid jobs.

“I’d like to congratulate all the award winners and nominees and I hope their successes will inspire others to take the plunge and learn new skills. As Mayor, I’ll continue to do everything in my power to make adult learning more accessible to all Londoners as we build a fairer, better and more prosperous city for everyone.”

Harry George is the founder of SEND Coffee and won the Learning for Good Work Employer of the Year award in 2023. This award is given to organisations that support Londoners to overcome barriers or challenges they face when entering the workforce, and help them to progress into good employment as a result of further education and training.

Harry George addressed this year’s awards ceremony and said: “It’s a privilege to be here again at the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards. Last year’s Employer of the Year award came at a strange time for us, we had begun to feel isolated in our conviction towards helping people – but winning the award in 2023 reminded us that there are amazing, like minded Londoners who are dedicated to facilitating transformative learning.

“Tonight you are surrounded by people you can ask for advice from, share stories with, and learn from. The inspiration and support I have drawn from people I met at last year’s awards saved our organisation. Thank you all for making London the incredible city it is, and for all the lessons still to come.”

Hillside Clubhouse won the Outreach and Engagement of Adults into Learning Award for their work to support long-term unemployed Camden and Islington residents with mental health conditions. They aim to improve clubhouse members’ life chances by creating a welcoming environment where they are given space to develop their confidence, skills and interpersonal connections.

Catherine Pymar, Executive Director of Hillside Clubhouse said: “We are delighted and incredibly proud to have been awarded the Outreach and Engagement of Adults into Learning award 2024.  As a coproduced mental health charity, Hillside Clubhouse endeavours to deliver learning and development opportunities that support our members progression into employment and volunteering.  Together with WM College, we have developed a collaborative and participatory approach to teaching and learning that supports and empowers our community.  It is fantastic to have the hard-work of the team and the successful approach we’ve developed recognised by this award”

Phil Wilkinson, Group CEO of Ascentis, said: “This is the third year we’ve supported the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards and we are proud to be a sponsor. Adult learning has a hugely positive impact on so many and we see this on a daily basis at Ascentis. I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all the winners who collected their awards yesterday."  

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