This week, WorldSkills UK held its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes 2025 Awards in Westminster. The ceremony celebrates individuals, institutions and initiatives that overcome barriers to technical training and apprenticeships.

College of North West London alum, Andrew Onasanya, came first in his category to become WorldSkills UK’s Apprentice of the Year.

Andrew’s apprenticeship journey is a story of resilience. While undertaking his electrical apprenticeship at the CNWL, his housing benefits were cut, confronting him with a real risk of homelessness. Determined to continue safely through his studies, Andrew sought affordable housing via homeless charity, Centrepoint, and secured a Care Leavers Bursary from CNWL. With this crutch, Andrew threw himself into his apprenticeship, successfully completed his Level 3 Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Standard at CNWL and is now a qualified electrician.

Alongside his full-time job as an electrician, Andrew advocates for other young people who also experience homelessness in the UK. He presented the #PlanForThe136k petition at Downing Street, and received Centrepoint’s 2024 Independent Living Award for his achievements finding success after facing homelessness.

Stephen Kelly, Business Account Manager for Apprenticeships at United Colleges Group, joined Andrew at the awards ceremony: "It's been a pleasure to watch Andrew overcome such adversity and become not only a great electrician, but an inspiring person all-round".