The annual awards recognise and celebrate the role of local young people and employers in delivering the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than 240 apprentices have played key roles in the new chapter of the Park, including engineers and surveyors that helped transform the former Olympic Stadium into a world-class, multi-use venue, operatives at Chobham Manor (the first of five new neighbourhoods), landscapers that maintain the 560 acres of parklands, and exciting digital media technician roles in east London’s new digital quarter, Here East. 

A range of park-based employers have been championing apprenticeships, providing young people the opportunity to gain new skills and essential workplace experience and giving them the perfect start to their careers. Apprenticeships on the Park have provided a springboard to future careers with a number of former apprentices having secured jobs in the hospitality, construction and digital industries. 

Farzana Saddiq, Apprentice of the Year Award, said: “I'm completely blown away to win this award. The opportunities with GLL have been amazing and I'm so excited to see what the future will bring now. Everyone's been brilliant, but I would especially like to thank my managers Elaine and Monique.”

Peter Bundey, Deputy Managing Director at GLL said: Peter Bundey, Deputy Managing Director, GLL said: “Everyone at the London Aquatics Centre and across GLL is delighted for Farzana - we are proud of what she has achieved in a short space of time. 

“Farzana’s passion for our values and the way she embraces all GLL’s career development opportunities make her an exemplar to colleagues.

“The Apprenticeship Awards also recognise her commitment to our customers and the ‘can do’ attitude which has helped us become the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise.”

Here is the full list of winners:

Apprentice of the Year: Farzana Saddiq (GLL)
Runners Up, Apprentice of the Year: Cassie Dowling (BT Sport), and Jalbby Johnson (GLL)
Mentor of the Year Award: Chris James (Idverde)
Employer Award for Commitment to Equalities and Inclusion: Unity Kitchen at Timber Lodge
Employer of the Year Award: Taylor Wimpey
Making It Happen Partnership of the Year Award: Sadler’s Wells 
Individual Achievement Award: Paula Denise Vaz Cudna (Engie)
Special Commendation- Individual Achievement Award: Liam French (PHD Access) and Latoya Matthews (Unity Kitchen at Timber Lodge) 
Best Work Placement/Intern: Jade Leatham (Sadler's Wells)
Ambassador of the Year Award: Jone Da Cruz 

-Ends-

Images of last night’s winners are available here.

Hear the personal experiences of employers and apprentices on the Park in our latest film here.

For more information contact the Press Office at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on +44 (0) 20 3734 9010 or email press@QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Spread across 560 acres of stunning parklands, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to beautifully landscaped gardens, historic waterways, famous sporting venues, a vibrant arts and events programme and the ArcelorMittal Orbit visitor attraction. 

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opened in April 2014 following the 18 month transformation programme of the London 2012 Olympic Park. It is now home to six former Olympic and Paralympic venues, the Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, London Aquatics Centre and London Stadium where visitors can take part in sport, enjoy watching world class athletes compete or experience concerts or arts and culture events. Visitors can also enjoy a birds-eye view of the Park from the two viewing platforms of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the UK’s tallest sculpture, before experiencing an exhilarating ride on The Slide, the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. 

As the new heart of east London, the Park is still transforming and will soon provide future homes, jobs and an unrivalled education and cultural district housing Sadler’s Wells, V&A East, UAL’s London College of Fashion and UCL East. 

The London Legacy Development Corporation promotes and delivers physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding area by maximising the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For more information visit our website (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk), sign up to our e-newsletter (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk/subscribe), follow us on Twitter (@noordinarypark) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/QueenElizabethOlympicPark)