It’s been a very busy and successful time for SThree’s CSR Team with new charity partnerships being established and bold plans for the future being forged. Now their efforts have been recognised by winning in two categories at last week’s Awards Gala organised by our London based charity partner, City Gateway.
Our Head of CSR, Marie Broad proudly accepted the award for Line Manager of the Year and, CSR and Property Assistant, Olida Khanom, came first in the category, Apprentice of the Year.
We asked both winners what being awarded this recognition means to them and took a look at their inspiring journeys with SThree.
CSR as springboard for career success
More than 12 months ago Olida came to us as one of the apprentices SThree takes on every year from City Gateway. She helped facilitate over 30 volunteer projects which have positively impacted the lives of young people from underprivileged backgrounds and unemployed adults and is now preparing to take on her next project in the newly created permanent role of supporting future CSR programmes as CSR and Property Assistant.
“I’ve been able to achieve so much and winning the City Gateway Apprenticeship of the Year Award has been the cherry on top,” says Olida.
Marie Broad has been with SThree for five years now, heading up SThree’s impactful CSR initiatives and partnerships with the vision to 'Transform Lives through Skills and Work' which is centred on the three main strands of Community, Workplace and Environment.
“It means so much to have our hard work recognised and to raise awareness of SThree’s CSR programme that really does transform lives. I hope we can inspire others so focused action, however small, really can start to tackle social issues like youth unemployment”, comments Marie.
It all started with City Gateway’s Apprenticeship Programme
Olida continues, “I joined SThree as an apprentice over a year ago now, and since then, have helped to develop our global partnership with SOS Children’s Villages by running over 15 fundraising events that have generated more than £40,000 for the charity.
“It’s incredibly rewarding. I’ve also recently signed up as a City Gateway Ambassador, and I’m now visiting schools to share my story and talk with students about apprenticeship opportunities.”
CEO of City Gateway, Bex White says the City Gateway Apprenticeship Programme has a success rate above the national average, with over 75% of our Apprentices securing permanent employment at the end of their Apprenticeship.
“We are all very proud of Olida, from helping build a hugely successful Programme at SThree, whilst transforming many lives, she is an amazing testament to the City Gateway Apprenticeship Programme,” says Bex.
At SThree, Marie continues, “Having Olida here has helped us achieve so much more good in the community, and strengthened our relationship with City Gateway to continue to help many more young people starting out in their apprenticeships as well as assist learners on the Women’s Project to start building successful careers,” says Marie.
About the Awards
The City Gateway Apprentice of the Year Award recognises the achievements of apprentices. With the support of a dedicated partner organisation and/or line manager, they have developed professionally and personally and have made a valuable contribution to their team and organisation.
For more information, read the following article featuring Olida and Marie on the Recruitment International Blog.