Celebrating apprenticeship success at prestigious SCCB awards ceremony

14 March 2023

AIM were pleased to support South and City College Birmingham’s (SCCB) 2023 Sir Doug Ellis Apprenticeship Awards through sponsorship of the digital / IT Apprentice of the Year award category at this year’s ceremony.

Held at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham on 10 March, this prestigious event celebrated the success of the college’s apprentices and their employers, and attracted a wealth of high profile business people and dignitaries from across the West Midlands.

The annual awards are held in honour of Sir Douglas Ellis, who was the Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club and SCCB Ambassador. Sir Doug supported the college’s events and activities that gave opportunity to the student experience and championed young people in the West Midlands to access education and training to achieve their career aspirations. His wife, Lady Heidi Ellis, continues to support the college through Sir Doug’s legacy and was in attendance on the night.

Maya Cole was this year’s digital / IT Apprentice of the Year award winner, recognised for her outstanding contribution to her apprenticeship studies and work.

“When Maya first commenced her apprenticeship she had little confidence, which has grown over time, where she now trains and supports others in the workplace; mentoring and supporting with their apprenticeship as well”, said Donna Cooke, Assistant Director for Apprenticeship Manager at SCCB. 

Maya undertook her IT apprenticeship at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) and stood out from the crowd from her initial interview with the company.

Bel Welsh from BSMHFT said, “as an apprentice Maya has been outstanding – she is committed, proactive and, even when she has knockbacks, has a dogged determination to succeed. She has overcome her fears and self-doubt eg taking the time to study to get through her maths and English exams. [She is] Always available to step in to help where needed, with a great attitude to our service users and other members of the team”.

Val Taylor (pictured), AIM Group COO, and Sara Jordan, AIM New Business Manager, attended the ceremony and presented Maya with her award. 

“We were really pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor this award. As an end-point assessment (EPA) organisation, we are passionate about supporting apprentices like Maya to be the best they can. We read about, meet, and hear from so many talented individuals for whom apprenticeships have provided an alternative and practical route to a dream career. We wish Maya the very best for the future”, said Sara.

Through the success of her apprenticeship, Maya is now an ICT Support Assistant on a fixed term contract with BSMHFT. 

There were 13 awards presented in total on the evening of the event. To see details of all winners and award categories, please visit the college’s website.

Learn more about AIM’s EPA services here and the apprenticeship standards we are approved to assess here.

Image caption: AIM COO, Val Taylor, presenting the award to winner, Maya Cole.

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