Public sector, corporate and grassroots hereos announced as winners of the Moving on Up awards!

The Moving On Up programme, a ten-year initiative aimed at improving employment outcomes for young Black men, aged 16 – 24 in London, has today announced its winners for the Moving on Up awards at a special awards event hosted by our employer champions WTW, at their offices in Central London.

Celebrating organisations and individuals (including young people) committed to improving outcomes for London’s young Black men, the awards evening spotlighted stories of resilience, determination and community, painting a picture of the grassroots as well as corporation-wide efforts being taken to make the capital’s workplaces more inclusive.

We are thrilled to reveal the winners and highly commended individuals, after a rigorous shortlisting process, for each of the award categories:

Best Job Outcome

Winner – Trae Hansel (Newham)

Trae Hansel, a 23-year-old man with a Level 1 and 2 diploma in plumbing, stood out for his dedication and hard work in achieving his career goals. Despite initial challenges in finding employment in his desired field, Trae’s persistence led him to secure a Level 2 apprenticeship in formworks. Through the Moving On Up programme in Newham, Trae received invaluable support and mentorship, leading to his successful completion of the apprenticeship and acquisition of essential skills for the industry.

Winner – Jemel Harri-nanan (Brent)

Through his dedication and partnership with Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra (BBVS), Jemel transitioned from a work placement to a Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain apprenticeship. His journey not only highlights personal triumph but also underscores the collaborative efforts between Brent Moving on Up partners and employers in creating meaningful opportunities for young Black men, offering a story of inspiration for others facing similar challenges to getting into work.

Jemel’s manager, Manish Tailor, said:

Jemel greatly impressed me from the interview for his work placement. He clearly had a real interest in the role, demonstrating a real depth of knowledge and confidence. Jemel shone during the work placement taking on every task with eagerness and a positive attitude and he soon felt like he was part of the furniture! So it was an easy decision to encourage him to apply for the apprenticeship he successfully secured and he’s proven to be such a wonderful asset to the team, extending to running our bi-weekly town hall meetings and appearing in HS2 videos to promote apprenticeships.”

Manish Tailor, Balfour Beatty VINCI Systra, Supply Chain Manager

Public Sector Champion

Winner – Shaheen Pathan, DePARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS

Shaheen was recognised as the Public Sector Champion, for being instrumental in fostering collaboration and engagement between Jobcentre Plus and Moving On Up. With 27 years of experience within the Department for Work and Pensions family, Shaheen’s commitment to facilitating opportunities for young Black men has been commendable, setting an example of dedication and advocacy within the public sector.

Outstanding Impact

Winner – Kevin Osei, Bridging Barriers

Kevin’s unwavering dedication to supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds through Bridging Barriers earned him the title of Outstanding Impact award winner. As the founder of the organisation, Kevin’s innovative leadership and his commitment to mentorship (even quitting his full-time day job to pursue this passion!) have positively impacted over 1000 young individuals, providing them with access to career opportunities and professional development.

There has been huge demonstrable impact shown through the volume of interaction he has had with young people through the Bridging Barriers programmes. Not only this but Kevin has been successful in getting employers involved in these programmes which is not easy, the work of the charity has gone from strength to strength in a short space of time and it is exciting to see where Kevin and Bridging Barriers go next.’

Zenab Mumtaz, Moving on Up Awards judge
Socio-Economic Development Manager, Lendlease

HR Hero

Winner – Thames water, skills & emerging talent team

Thames Water’s Skills & Emerging Talent Team won the prestigious title of HR Hero for its commitment to inclusive recruitment practices and fostering opportunities for diverse talent. Through strategic partnerships and tailored initiatives, Thames Water has demonstrated exemplary leadership in driving positive change and creating sustainable career pathways for talented young Black men, and wider under-respresented communities.

Real Role Model

WINNER – AWALE ELMI, RISE PROJECTS

Awale Elmi’s dedication to empowering young Black men through RISE Projects in Tottenham earned him the title of ‘Real’ Role Model. By providing mentoring, coaching, and employment support, Awale has played a significant role in improving the life outcomes of at-risk youth. His work is known all over Haringey, where he is a local hero for championing and endeavouring to make Black men more successful. He has been a true leader to Black community of Haringey. 

Outstanding Employer Leadership

WINNER – Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture

Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS) joint venture was recognised for its outstanding leadership in inclusive recruitment, particularly in supporting local communities and prioritising opportunities for individuals underrepresented in the construction industry. Through initiatives like pre-employment programmes and strategic partnerships, SCS has demonstrated a commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, leaving a lasting legacy in the communities they serve.

Highly Commended

The following young Black men were also highly commended by our judges, who were impressed at their stories of endurance, resilience and problem-solving when it came to changing their situations, pursuing their career passions, and supporting others in the process.

“I have always been interested in construction and seeing my brother Malachi’s experience really inspired me to want to have a career in this industry.  I feel incredibly proud to be working on such a massive project, I’m learning something new every day and am excited for what my future at HS2 holds.” 

Elijah Robinson, Apprentice, HS2

A special thank you

Two special recognition awards were also given out during the ceremony to Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, who chaired the Moving on Up Advisory Group until 2023, and Sioned Churchill, former Director of Grants, Trust for London, for their commitment to addressing employment disparities in London. ARE would like to thank the two for their support of the Moving on Up programme over the last decade.

We thank everyone who nominated, and congratulate all the talented individuals shortlisted and recognised by the Awards. Our judges were impressed by the efforts that have been taken across London to change the employment landscape, and the achievements of young Black men themselves. Congratulations!

The Moving On Up Awards have put the spotlight on individuals and organisations who have made a tangible difference in empowering young Black men and creating pathways to success. Their stories of resilience, determination, and community support have inspired hope. We, in turn, hope this will inspire positive change for generations to come. I’d like to thank all those involved in the Moving on Up programme, including our funders, employer champions, collective impact partners, young ambassadors and our associates and consultants, for shining a light on what works when it comes to improving employment outcomes for young Black men, and taking action to create a more inclusive London.”

Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive of ARE

For media inquiries, please contact: Payal Bhavsar, Senior Communications Officer

For information about the Moving on Up programme, please contact: Victoria Atanda, Project Support Officer

Moving on Up Ambassadors with former MoU Chair, Dr Bola Abisogun
Photo by Luke Agbaimoni