Career Connect apprentice Hadiya is one of this year's lucky, shortlisted finalists in the Salford City College Apprenticeships Award.
Hadiya Gul Rahman has been shortlisted for an award at the Salford City College Group Annual Apprenticeship Awards 2025. The Apprenticeships Awards celebrate the commitment of local apprentices and employers to their personal development and showcase why apprenticeships are so important for businesses and people.
Hadiya came to Career Connect as a young person who was not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) in 2022. Through the charity, she enrolled on the NatWest Bank Find Your Path employability programme, which helps young people to discover their potential. The course helped develop Hadiya’s skills and experience and gave her the confidence to keep pushing herself.
Starting her apprenticeship
Following an outstanding interview, Hadiya joined Career Connect’s Manchester NEET Reduction Service in 2023 as part of a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. The course is accredited through Salford City College and Hadiya receives on the job training, supported by assessments/assignments to demonstrate her achievements.
Since joining Career Connect, Hadiya has already been promoted to the charity’s Achieve Greater Manchester ETE team, which supports people on probation. She will soon start a new role with the Manchester team as a Performance Systems Coordinator.
She has helped to create an informative pathways document providing details of alternative support services and sources of information and support for young people not eligible for Career Connect support (e.g. over 18s).
Making a positive impact
She has helped develop promotional materials for training programmes and careers events that have helped to awareness of the charity’s services across Greater Manchester with young people. She created a weekly jobs bulletin for young people and helped design and publish a regular, interactive, monthly bulletin sent out to more than 400 careers professionals working with young people across the city region.
“My apprenticeship has been a transformative experience”
Hadiya said: “I’m truly humbled and delighted to have made it to the shortlist. My apprenticeship has been a transformative experience, and I’m still amazed at the progress I’ve made in such a short span. I’m deeply grateful for the guidance, support, and opportunities I’ve received along the way, and I appreciate the trust and confidence that’s been placed in me. I want to thank everyone who has supported me on my journey.”
“She has a real enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding”
Sean McLoughlin, Team Manager for Career Connect’s Manchester team said: “Hadiya embodies Career Connect’s mission to drive social mobility by enabling more people to access and succeed in education, training, and employment. She has a real enthusiasm knowledge and understanding and has continuously impressed her team with her innovative, problem-solving skills and the positive impact she has had on other apprentices through the materials she has helped to create.
“Hadiya’s progression from a NEET young person to becoming an integral part of the Manchester team and Career Connect makes her the perfect candidate for the Annual Apprenticeships Awards.”
The winners of this year’s Salford City College Apprenticeships Awards will be announced at a special ceremony at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Thursday 13 February, during National Apprenticeships Week.
Find out more…
Click below to find out more about Apprenticeships at Salford City College.
If you're 16-18 - or up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), not currently in education, employment or training, and are looking for advice on your next (or even first) career step, get in touch with one of our local advice teams. Click below to find your local team.
