Overview
The WorldSkills UK EDI Heroes Awards, held annually, honor outstanding individuals and organisations that champion diversity and inclusion within their operations and the broader technical education sector. The 2024 awards marked a significant milestone as they were held in person for the first time since their inception at the prestigious Houses of Parliament.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the EDI Heroes Awards were to:
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Recognize and celebrate those making significant contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Inspire other organizations and individuals to adopt similar values and practices.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Enhance the skills base across the UK to support economic growth and prosperity.
Our responsibilities
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Handling a large volume of nominations (thousands) and efficiently shortlisting candidates.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Coordinating with top judges from diverse backgrounds to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation process.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Organising an in-person event at a high-profile venue
We are ftw solutions
Event Design and Nomination Process:
We structured a detailed nomination process that began with collecting thousands of entries across eight award categories. Our team developed an online portal that streamlined submissions and allowed nominees to upload supporting materials efficiently. The system also facilitated judges in their review and decision-making processes.
Judging and Shortlisting:
We organised virtual meetings and coordinated filming sessions with the judges to delve deeper into their expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion. This approach ensured that our shortlisting process was as inclusive as the principles the awards celebrated. We successfully narrowed the nominations to three finalists per category.
Event Execution:
The final ceremony was meticulously planned to adhere to the prestige of the Houses of Parliament. Our team handled all logistical aspects, from security to audio-visual setups, ensuring a seamless flow throughout the event. Personal touches, such as filming the nominees and broadcasting these vignettes during the ceremony, added a personalised feel to the event.
Outcomes
The EDI Heroes Awards 2024 successfully celebrated pioneers like Haris Javed (Rising Star) and Arvind Kaushal (Pioneer), among others, across diverse categories. The event not only recognized individual and organisational contributions but also sparked conversations about further integrating EDI practices in technical education and beyond.
Conclusion
Our collaboration with WorldSkills UK for the EDI Heroes Awards 2024 exemplifies our commitment to excellence in event management, particularly in recognising and fostering diversity and inclusion. The successful execution of this event at a high-profile venue underlined our capability to handle events of significant importance and sensitivity, ultimately ensuring our client’s objectives were not just met, but exceeded.