Whyy? Change Finalists for Two Regional Apprenticeship Awards

Whyy? Change has been shortlisted for two apprenticeship accolades at the OAL Awards, including the prestigious title of SME Provider of the Year.

The Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider has also seen their Managing Director, Emma Harrison PCQI, nominated for Level 4+ Apprentice of the Year, which (as the name suggests) celebrates the success of apprentices on a Level 4 apprenticeship or above.

The OAL Awards celebrates the wonderful world of apprenticeships and seeks to recognise the outstanding achievements of the individuals and organisations that work alongside and in partnership with Occupational Awards Limited.

Emma’s journey to becoming an apprentice for the first time at 46 is different to the traditional apprenticeship route. Previously to Whyy? Change, Emma held senior customer services, sales and leadership roles at RBS, moving into a controls assurance within the motor industry.

Since joining Whyy? Change in June 2019, Emma’s development has been exponential with an overwhelming number of achievements to her name and promotions following suit. Emma’s recent success of becoming the World's First Ever Quality Practitioner Apprentice to achieve a Distinction whilst achieving Practitioner status with the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) has been recognised by her colleagues and now the judges at the OAL Awards.

Emma’s nomination comes after also being shortlisted for Higher Apprentice of the Year at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year.

Her dedication to professional development and achieving the highest standard possible has been exemplified by her achievements during her apprenticeship:

• First-ever Quality Practitioner Apprentice to achieve a distinction
• Secured CIPD Approved Centre status to deliver HR, L&D courses and apprenticeships
• Inputted quality measures to ensure we were named as a 'Good Provider' by Ofsted
• Completed Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Internal Auditor Certificate in ISO 9001:2015 and Leadership programmes
• Achieved 92% on her Functional Skills Maths exam

Emma Harrison, Managing Director of Whyy? Change shared her thoughts:
“To be a finalist at the inaugural OAL Apprenticeship awards is a great honour. I always focus so much on sharing the success of the apprentices who we are fortunate to support and develop, I rarely think about my own success as an apprentice, so to have this recognised by the judging panel is very humbling.”

“When I started the Quality Practitioner apprenticeship, I had no idea I would the first apprentice to complete the EPA process, but with the continued support of OAL and my excellent tutor at Whyy? Change, I was able to bring the knowledge and skills I had developed to life in the assessments to achieve a distinction. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved and feel it shows age doesn’t have to be a blocker to learning new knowledge and skills.”

Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change shared his thoughts on Emma’s nomination:

“Emma demonstrates all the professional skills and behaviours required to be the ideal leader. I have seen a real growth in how Emma engages with strategic challenges. It is great to see how she engages, leads and demonstrates good standards in her practice. I value Emma’s dedication, questioning and curiosity to delivering on the behaviours of the business.”

The winners will be announced at OAL’s inaugural awards evening on Thursday 19th October at York Racecourse.