Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance

Promoting social mobility, diversity, inclusion and equity in apprenticeships & skills

We’re on a mission to prepare and connect underrepresented talent to high-quality apprenticeships and build workplaces that promote diversity.

'Bringing about positive and lasting change, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all'

The Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance has been a pivotal force since its establishment in 2017, championing the cause of social mobility, diversity, inclusion, and equity within the context of apprenticeships and skills.

The alliance stands on the bedrock of three fundamental pillars: Education, Engagement, and Advocacy and policy. In line with its mission, the alliance is committed to imparting knowledge, fostering meaningful connections, and actively influencing policies to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for apprenticeships.

Through concerted efforts in these areas, the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance aims to catalyse enduring and positive transformations, ensuring that opportunities in the field are open and accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Educate

Working with employers, training providers, FE & HE institutions, awarding bodies and key stakeholders to educate them on multicultural workforce representation, apprenticeships and skills provision.

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Engage

Through various partners, we engage with the multicultural and underrepresented communities and key stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally.

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Elevate

Providing advocacy support, working with sector leaders and experts to influence local, regional and national policy.

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What we represent

Vision

We want to continue to be the leading movement for improving the opportunities for people from underrepresented communities; and to have the trust of leading employers to get access to the best diverse talent across the UK.

Mission

Our mission is to engage with people from underrepresented communities through interactive engagement to educate and improve the policy landscape to increase access to equitable career opportunities.

Latest News & Updates

Keep up to date with the latest updates on the alliance’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Discover a wealth of insightful and informative articles that delve into the complex issues surrounding diversity in apprenticeships and job training programmes.

From interviews with industry experts to inspiring stories of apprentices who have overcome barriers to success, these articles offer a unique and insightful perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the modern workforce.

Whether you’re an employer looking to create a more inclusive workplace or an apprentice seeking inspiration and guidance, the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance is an essential resource for anyone committed to promoting diversity and unlocking the full potential of a diverse workforce. Join us on this journey as we explore the many ways the alliance makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of apprentices and employers.

January 16, 2026

Apprenticeship Assessment Reforms

The way we assess apprenticeships in England is undergoing one of its most significant reforms in recent years. These changes are part of a wider...

January 12, 2026

Safaraz Ali MBE – a moment to recognise shared responsibility

The Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance is proud to acknowledge the recognition of its Founder, Safaraz Ali, who has been awarded an MBE in the...

A few words from our Patrons

We’re proud to be a patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance making a positive difference in marginalised communities and supporting individuals in their journey towards meaningful employment. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to investing in an organisation where our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic colleagues feel included, valued, and able to realise their full potential. In 2018, we were the first FTSE 100 company to set public goals for representation and since then have continued focus on delivering our Race Action Plan.

Our partnership with the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance is so valuable - further supporting our diverse workforce to reach their potential and attracting people into our organisation from a variety of backgrounds and communities. This work has been celebrated through our award wins with the Alliance and recently becoming patrons of this important organisation - together we have the size, scale, and platform to create a positive impact.

NCFE is committed to supporting social mobility, diversity, and inclusion, and we believe apprenticeships should be accessible for all. Having been a patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance since 2019, we’ve formed connections with like-minded partners and shared our experiences and learning. We’re also a sponsor of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and have access to a wealth of information, guidance, communities, and experts. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance to better inform our work and practices and help ensure no learner is left behind.

As a not for profit business, OAL aim to increase the uptake and success of apprenticeships and further education, particularly in England but also across the UK and internationally. We recognise that education, is the greatest opportunity to level up and provide equality and equity for all. We also recognise that many different communities do not recognise or appreciate the value and opportunity that apprenticeships can bring and we want to work with the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance to broaden participation and increase opportunities for all.

“The Open University is proud to be patrons of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance. The two organisations share common values in using education to open up opportunity to hidden talent for the benefit of society. We’ve collaborated with the team to share thought leadership in this space and are looking forward to expanding our partnership in the future and supporting each other’s work.”

It is Lifetime’s belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn the skills they need to realise their full potential. Lifetime are proud to be a patron member of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance and remain committed to supporting learners from all backgrounds, our working partnership with the Alliance ensures apprenticeships remain accessible and inclusive to all .We've experienced the incredible impact apprenticeships have on an individual’s life, and how apprenticeships build a more diverse, inclusive and effective workforce for our employer partners. The Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance is a key partner helping promote social mobility, diversity, inclusion and equality in apprenticeships. "There has been an increase in awareness of inclusion and diversity for employers, and the positive impact these organisations can have on social mobility. We’ll continue to take important steps in improving our service and support the drive for unlocking talent and fulfilling potential."

Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance

Promoting social mobility, diversity, inclusion and equity in apprenticeships & skills