The event, held as part of National Apprenticeship Week, recognised the dedication and hard work of apprentices working within the Council and across various organisations in Camden
Camden Council hosted its annual ‘Big Thank You’ event last week, to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of apprentices recruited through the Camden Apprenticeships Service. The event, held as part of National Apprenticeship Week, recognised the dedication and hard work of apprentices working within the Council and across various organisations in Camden. It also acknowledged the vital roles of training providers and supportive staff.
Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, expressed her pride in the achievements of the apprentices and the commitment of the Council to expanding apprenticeship opportunities. “A huge congratulations to all the winners and nominees – we are immensely proud of these hard-working apprentices and of the managers and training providers who go above and beyond to ensure the success of our apprenticeship programmes,” she said.
The Camden Apprenticeships Awards 2025 highlighted the importance of apprenticeships in building careers and strengthening the community. “Apprenticeships are not just about filling vacancies; they’re about building careers and strengthening our community. They offer residents valuable skills and competitive wages – driving economic growth and social mobility while building brighter futures for individuals and the borough,” Councillor Francis added.
The Council is committed to ensuring a diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities are available across the borough, with a goal of achieving 250 apprenticeships per year for local people. This commitment was evident in the achievements of individuals like Halima Addow, who received the prestigious ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award. Halima, a Corporate Responsibility and Social Value apprentice at Bouygues UK, shared her excitement about the recognition. “It feels great to win this award and to be recognised for all the work that I do has been really nice. An apprenticeship is a great way to get into a career and there’s so many different pathways you can take. On a personal level, it has boosted my confidence and shown me the impact I can have through my work,” she said.
Halima’s line manager at Bouygues UK, Samantha Mayo, expressed her pride in Halima’s achievement. “I am incredibly proud of Halima’s achievement as Camden’s ‘Apprentice of the Year.’ Her dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have made a substantial impact on our team and the local community. At Bouygues UK we believe apprenticeships are vital as they foster talent, encourage innovation, and ensure we continue to grow with skilled and motivated individuals. I look forward to watching Halima continue to grow and succeed,” she said.
Other award categories included ‘Most Improved’, ‘Best Team Player’, ‘Best Progression’, and ‘Supervisor of the Year’, showcasing the accomplishments of Camden’s apprentices, managers, and local employers who champion apprenticeships across the borough. The full list of winners is as follows:
Most Improved Apprentice: Zeeshan Bakky, Nature and Climate Apprentice at Anglo American, nominated by manager Heather De-Quincey.
Highly Commended Team Player: Hannah Findlay, Events Apprentice for Camden Council, nominated by manager Josef Thoma.
Best Team Player Apprentice: Taylor Bradbury, Plumbing Apprentice for Hampstead Repairs, Camden Council, nominated by manager Daniel Mills.
Best Progression by an Apprentice: Rosa Bramley, Apprentice Youth Worker for Camden Council, nominated by her manager Joanne Peet.
Supervisor of the Year: Gabrielle Orcutt, Job Hub Lead at Camden Council, nominated by her apprentice Sadiya Waasuge.
Apprentice of the Year: Halima Addow, Corporate Responsibility and Social Value apprentice at Bouygues UK, nominated by manager Samantha Mayo.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of current apprentices, Camden Council is also looking to the future by supporting young people’s career journeys. In spring 2025, the Council will launch an internship scheme for Camden care-experienced 18-24 year olds, in partnership with the Drive Forward Foundation. This scheme will provide paid 18-month placements across six council departments, offering valuable experience in various roles. Recognising that care leavers often lack access to traditional work experience and networking, this programme aims to level the playing field and create accessible employment pathways for this group. All eligible interns will be offered the chance to complete an apprenticeship as part of their internship.
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