Skills 4 founder Jayne Little has been shortlisted for the Positive Role Model Award for Gender at the National Diversity Awards 2022. An astonishing 72,000 people were nominated this year alone and the results are finally in for the National Diversity Awards (NDA), with 126 nominees being recognised for their various achievements nationwide.
Community organisations and role models from across the UK will head to the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 16th September to witness the country’s 2022 winners being crowned the best of British diversity. Amongst those being honoured are charities, campaigners and activists, all of whom work tirelessly to combat injustice and discrimination in very different ways.
The nomination comes after Skills 4, which is based in Leeds but delivers training nationwide, recently won two other awards. The company was named best supplier in the Women in Tech Employer Awards, which celebrate employers and individuals going above and beyond to help close the gender gap in the tech sector while Skills 4’s EMPOWER programme was named the Best Training Programme at the Women in Rail awards.
Skills 4 founder and CEO Jayne Little said: “I am honoured and humbled to be shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards. To have our work recognised in this way is hugely satisfying. “Since we started in 2006, more than 10,000 women have been through our programmes and on average around two-thirds are promoted within 12 months of completing the training.
“Along with our trainers, who have all worked in industry, our alumni are positive role models for other women, overcoming the barriers and challenges in workplaces traditionally seen as the domain of men, to thrive and, along with their pro-active employees, help create an inclusive culture within their companies.”
Direct Line Group, Kantar and The British Army have recently been announced as sponsors of the pioneering awards that have paid tribute to over 1000 grassroot groups and diversity champions since its inception. ITV News is also listed amongst a host of companies showcasing their support to recognising diverse talent, providing a platform to our unsung heroes.
Helen Robinson, D&I & Community Engagement Manager, Auto Trader UK, said;
“At Auto Trader we are delighted to partner with the National Diversity Awards for another year and celebrate the magnificent people and community groups that are making the UK more diverse and inclusive. We want to recognise their efforts, share their stories far and wide to encourage others to support their work as well as inspire them to take action.”
Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s continue to gain endorsements from high profile figures such as Sir Lenny Henry CBE and Graham Norton. Activist Katie Piper, Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano and Paralympic Gold Medallist Danny Creates were on this year’s judging panel, dedicating their time to help choose the highly anticipated shortlist.
Author and philanthropist, Katie Piper said: “I am so proud to be on the judging panel for the National Diversity Awards. In what has been a tough year for many, I am so pleased these awards create and celebrate a new generation of positive role models. As a campaigner myself, I will love reading about the excellent achievements of grassroot communities which tackle the issues in today’s society with sheer dedication. I can’t wait to honour these charities, role models and community heroes who will have shown outstanding commitment to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.”
Previous winners include Black Girls Hike Founder Rhiane Fatinikun, domestic abuse charity WAVES Counselling Project, and actor Warwick Davis. Paul Sesay, Founder and CEO of the National Diversity Awards added, “What an incredible year it has been for nominations, we received more than ever before showcasing the UK’s role models in all their glory. Producing this shortlist was extremely difficult due to the vast amount of invaluable work being carried out. The UK has truly embraced the spirit of The National Diversity Awards by uniting through adversity to create a host of incredible initiatives. The profound impact made by all our nominees is life changing, and I feel humbled to know that so much goodness is all around us.
After weeks of deliberating and thousands of heartfelt testimonials later, I am delighted to finally present to you the best of British Diversity.
Congratulations to all our shortlisted nominees, it is an honour to recognise your fearlessness, resilience and humanitarian efforts with the rest of the world. Let’s continue the fight for justice, unity and equality for all”.
To view a full list of nominees please visit www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk