Milton Keynes College students scoop national awards

The top award of the night went to Kimmy Kimani, who was named Apprentice of the Year in the legal and professional services category and also the overall national winner.

The 27-year-old studied and did her apprenticeship at MKC, where she is now a student support coach. She is also a popular YouTube star where she and her partner give advice and encouragement about life to their 150,000 plus subscribers, especially urging them to get the best education they can.

Such is the channel’s success that even the United Nations have taken notice of their work, enlisting Kimmy’s support for the UN sustainable development programme.

Kimmy said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was named the overall winner. I’d been talking to some of the other candidates online and they were all doing such amazing things that any of them could have won.”

Fifty-three-year-old student Raginee Scudamore won the award for retail, hospitality and tourism after taking an apprenticeship at MKC to become a commis chef, where she’s putting those skills to good use in the kitchens at the University of Buckingham.

She said: “Winning this seems like a dream considering that as an older woman I walked in on the first day surrounded by teenagers and thought I didn’t belong, but the staff worked so hard to help me and make me feel like I did fit in.

"They never gave up on me. Now I have a wonderful job and wouldn’t change anything for the world. As for the college, all I can say is that I have nothing but praise.”

Dr Julie Mills, MKC CEO and group principal, said: “Our commitment to equality and diversity is one of the cornerstones of this college and something about which we feel incredibly strongly.

"To see our students, and one of the businesses with which we have such a close relationship, being recognised at the Apprenticeship Awards is one of my proudest professional moments.

"Education is a vital tool for making the world a fairer and more equal place and I congratulate not just the people named on the night but all those staff whose incredible hard work and dedication helped make it possible.”