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Pendle’s Aqsa is finalist for Asian Apprenticeship Award
Published: Thursday, 22nd November 2018
Pendle's Planning Manager Neil Watson with Aqsa Hafiz.
Aqsa Hafiz, who works in Planning at Pendle Council , has been chosen as a finalist for a national Asian Apprenticeship Award in the Charity, Voluntary and Public Services category.
The annual awards celebrate the talent and diversity of British Asian Apprentices, their employees and learning providers.
“Aqsa started as a Modern Apprentice with the Council’s legal team in 2016 and was promoted to Planning Support Officer in April this year,” explained Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul White.
“We are very committed to Apprenticeships in Pendle,” he said.
Aqsa completed a NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration at Nelson and Colne College before her promotion and the College put her in for the award.
Aqsa who is 25 and lives in Pendle said:
“I did two years in dental technology at Manchester Metropolitan University but it wasn’t for me and I dropped out after two years.
“I then worked for a dentist before going down the apprenticeship route and that worked for me.”
Aqsa will be going to Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham with colleagues from Pendle Council and Nelson and Colne College on Thursday 29th November for the awards ceremony which is sponsored by The Royal Air Force.
“I’m looking forward to the big event and to meeting other finalists,” she said.
Aqsa added:
“I enjoyed my apprenticeship – it went really quickly and it got me a good job.
“It was a learning curve and the experience helped me. The Apprenticeship is useful in this new role.
“I love my job at the council and I’m still learning now,” she said.
Aqsa intends to pursue a career in Planning and the Pendle Council’s Planning Manager has said that Aqsa will get opportunities to develop her skills and expertise in planning.
Barbara Livesey, Director of Apprenticeships and Training at Nelson and Colne College said:
“Aqsa was nominated for the award because of the rapid progress she made during her Level 2 Business Administration Apprenticeship and the impact her work has had at Pendle Council.
“Aqsa’s Trainer Assessor was extremely pleased with her consistent high quality work and it is clear to see how she has developed professionally and personally through the qualification.
“The Apprenticeship has also given Aqsa the opportunity to climb the career ladder too.”
Nelson and Colne College is number one in the country for overall Apprenticeship achievement, at all ages and levels – according to the most recent Government data.
For more information on the wide range of Apprenticeships available at Nelson and Colne College visit www.nelson.ac.uk
For more details on the awards visit www.asianapprenticeshipawards.co.uk
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