Exeter in running for ‘University of the Year’ as Multicultural Apprenticeships Awards shortlist announced

The University of Exeter has been shortlisted for this year’s Multicultural Apprenticeships Awards as University of the Year, and nine Exeter apprentices have also received nominations.

The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards aims to showcase talent and diversity within multicultural communities and celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the contribution of employers and learning providers.

The University of Exeter has been shortlisted for its Degree Apprenticeship programmes, in which the University aims to drive social mobility through education.

Through degree apprenticeships, the University works closely with over 400 employer partners to increase access to Higher Education, address skills gaps and build more diverse workforces.

Exeter has almost 3,000 apprentices enrolled on degree apprenticeship programmes, and with 19 programmes has the largest portfolio of any Russell Group learning provider.

Last year it opened a dedicated Centre for Degree Partnerships and the University’s aim of having 5,000 apprentices enrolled by 2030 is a central tenet to its strategy of creating a greener, healthier and fairer world for all.

Nine of the University’s current crop of apprentices have also been shortlisted for the awards, all of whom have been recognised for combined academic excellence with outstanding professional achievements.

Jasneet Grover, a JP Morgan employee on the Financial Services Professional programme, is shortlisted in the Accounting and Financing category; Miranda Simms, who works at TUI and is on the Senior People Professional programme, is shortlisted in Retail, Hospitality and Tourism; while Guarav Singh, a Bloomberg employee on the Digital and Technology Solutions programme, is shortlisted in the Digital and Technology category.

Exeter also has five apprentices working for Amazon shortlisted in the Transport and Logistics category: Rubin Aboagye-Poku, on the Operations/Departmental Manager programme; and Baljinder Singh, Annie Vong, Boubacar Diallo and Beril Uzan, who are all studying for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

Nathan John, an IBM apprentice studying on the Digital and Technology Solutions programme, was shortlisted for the second year running – this time in the Judges’ Choice category.

Previous Exeter apprentices who have won at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards include Mamadou Kone (pictured), who won last year in the Transport and Logistics category.

Rachael Johnstone, Director of the Centre for Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter, said: “We congratulate our nine shortlisted apprentices, whose remarkable academic and professional success is a great credit to them, and shows the value of providing a supportive and dynamic learning environment that empowers apprentices to achieve their goals and thrive in their careers.

“We are also delighted to be shortlisted for University of Year, which reflects our dedication to attracting apprentices from a wide range of backgrounds, ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported and work closely with employers and support services to enable apprentices from underrepresented groups to participate fully in our programmes. This inclusivity extends beyond mere access – it is woven into the fabric of our teaching, support, and community engagement efforts.”  

The winners of the Multicultural Apprenticeships Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 1 November.

Learn more about Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter here.