It was a double win for Warwick at the Coventry Freemen's Guild Apprentice of the Year Awards last month. Beth Russell - a Graduate Management Trainee from the Executive Office - scored the title of Apprentice of the Year, while the University was awarded Apprentice Employer of the Year (Large Organisation Category).

Beth was recognised for her different skills at work - from her ability to spot inequalities and drive to champion inclusivity, through to her event management know-how.

We are proud that Warwick has been recognised for its contribution as an employer of apprentices in our region and celebrated for the support we offer. Currently, we have 96 members of staff working towards 26 different apprenticeships, from level 2 early careers areas through to masters level.

Coventry Freemans Guild Apprentice Awards 2023

Michelle Watson - supporting the hosting of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards

When I was first invited to help host the Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards I was over the moon, but with my excitement soon to be squashed as a result of the onset of the pandemic. 2 and a half years later I was invited once again to help host VIPs as part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh presentation awards and I jumped at the chance.

Unlike my own award day, this one was due to take place during the summer, meaning that I would get to see Bucking Palace Gardens- a challenge in its own rights as I had never been there and would be expected to show people around it.

My morning group were from a corporate marketing firm who were trustees and a more fun and relaxed group I couldn’t have asked for. Although one of them was quite mischievous and a wanderer, I was eventually told to give up on trying to corral him and just guided the other 2 around the gardens and the various talks, of course making sure we got our tea and cupcakes. The afternoon saw me hosting an accounting firm, with a strong charitable arm, who had newly set up their own DofE group as a part of their apprenticeship. They were celebrating their own young people who were there on the day- and whom I had to get into position to meet HRH the Earl of Wessex, who couldn’t have been more lovely and charming- almost as much as on my own awards!

The highlight of my day had to be 2 fold, the first being that I got to hear a proud Gay South African dancer- Johannes Radebe- speak as a keynote following HRHs speech. To be a South African standing outside Buckingham palace and hear someone who came from a country I still love and call (in part) my home was truly grounding. It made me realise how far I, my family, and the world had come. It shook me to my core and made me realise that had I not taken the plunge and signed up to volunteer (something that truly terrified me) I would never have been able to experience.

Overall, despite the aching feet (I did 17km! That's more than you need to do on a Duke of Edinburgh day hike!) I would not change that for the world, and I will certainly be going back to replicate it- and maybe one day even become confident enough to host the VIPs!

Beth Russell, Graduate Management Trainee, was runner up in the Social Inclusion awards 2022 for her commitment to making the Resonate Festival diverse and inclusive.

Colleagues nominating Beth said

“Throughout the planning and programming stages of the Resonate Festival, Beth was committed to exploring ways that we could programme diverse events, attract new audiences, and ensure accessible and inclusive activities… She looks at events not as ‘who should be included’ but as ‘who are we excluding’ as a result of the preparations in place and tackles each potential exclusion to prevent it becoming an issue for those community groups who would otherwise be isolated.” As a result of her work Beth was made a fellow at the Warwick Institute of Engagement and joined a Learning Circle on developing an inclusive engagement approach, where she has already made contributions as a new member.

In particular, Beth was commended for

• Having many suggestions for speakers and events which went beyond traditional voices, including representation from LGBTQUIA+, disabled, and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.
• Working with the wider team and the SU Islamic Society to coordinate a free Iftar meal for those that were ending their fast so that they weren’t isolated from the Resonate Festival events by having to go home to do so.
• Suggesting and organised having BSL interpreters for events.
• Going in person to check the accessibility-friendly routes hosts would take to ensure that they were easy to follow and wouldn’t result in any problems.

Beth Russell - Runner up in Warwick Social Inclusion Awards 2022

The Migrant Leaders charity is available to support potential applicants who meet their criteria. Migrants Leaders is completely free and can support you throughout your application; from completing the initial application form through to the assessment centre preparation and mock interviews.

Students from 1st or 2nd generation migrant background or none migrants from disadvantaged background are all eligible. This includes any ethnicity including white British disadvantaged background. Here is the eligibility criteria: Candidate Application InformationLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

You can apply to the free programme here: Candidate ApplicationLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. Here is the leaflet Candidate Application InformationLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window and a short video introducing the development programme to students: Introduction to Migrant Leaders - For StudentsLink opens in a new window

Migrant Leaders Charity

One of our Graduate Management Trainees has written a blog on valuable lessons they've learned, the obstacles they've overcome, and some things they wish they had known when they set foot on the Warwick campus as a student for the first time.

"Part-time work, such as through UnitempsLink opens in a new window or the Warwick Welcome ServiceLink opens in a new window, looked great on my CV because it demonstrated my ability to juggle competing demands and my determination to succeed. My role on a society executive committee formed a key component of the experience I spoke about during interviews and proved leadership, governance, and project management experience. I brought things to the table that were attractive to employers by being authentically myself."

What I wish I had known when I was at Warwick: a graduate from a widening participation background