Finding My Voice: My Apprentice of the Year Journey by 2025 Winner Aziza Anjum

Hello PPMA members and friends

Our 50 Stories for 50 Years contribution this week brings up right up to date with our 2025 Apprentice of the Year talent programme winner Aziza Anjum from London Borough of Hounslow. The programme always attracts some fantastic people and this year was no exception …following two amazing days at Warwick Business School, Aziza was crowned our Intermediate/Advanced Apprenticeships (Levels 2 & 3) winner and in this post she shares her experience of the programme.

“If you had asked me three years ago where I would be today, I could never have imagined standing in a room full of the most talented and committed public sector professionals from across the country, let alone being recognised as PPMA Apprentice of the Year.

I entered the programme with a quiet apprehension, carrying both my resilience and a flicker of self-doubt, alongside the hope of proudly representing my organisation. My lived experience has shaped me into a resilient and adaptable person, but there’s still that flicker of self-doubt that can creep in.

Those two days exceeded every expectation I had. From the outset, the programme was engaging, thought-provoking, and filled with activities that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone. I had worried my ADHD would make it hard to keep focus during long days, but the balance of diverse tasks, group discussions, and regular breaks meant I remained energised and involved throughout. The facilitators created a safe, inclusive environment where everyone’s voice mattered- a big thank you and shoutout to Julie and the panel!

The most powerful part for me was the people. My fellow participants were a mix of driven, warm, empowering, and uplifting individuals-each with their own incredible story. Conversations were honest, inspiring, and human. Colleagues like Sukhy, Cheryl, Lisa, Gary, Carla, and Ollie each brought something unique, whether it was contagious positivity, bravery, methodical thinking, or relatable life experiences. I left feeling that my network had not only grown but deepened with authentic connections.

An unexpected gift from the programme was the chance to think deeply about my personal legacy, something until the programme I didn’t give much thought to. Exploring my legacy forced me to think bigger -beyond my immediate role- and to imagine the lasting impact I could have on others. It has empowered me to approach my career with a renewed sense of purpose, reminding me that we are always evolving, and that learning is a conscious, continuous process.

Winning Apprentice of the Year was a moment I will never forget. I was elated-not just for myself, but for my team at Hounslow, who also won Best Workplace Transformation Project for our resolution framework. The recognition felt like an affirmation of the values I live by every day: leading with heart, harnessing the mix, and passing on the power.

The event reminded me why I chose to work in the public sector. It is a space where I can combine my passion for equity over equality, my belief that no past defines your future, and my commitment to creating opportunities for others to thrive. I left Manchester with a trophy, renewed confidence and a vision for the legacy I want to create: where everyone can flourish.

For me, this experience was a celebration of human potential, proof that our sector is filled with remarkable people, and a reminder to my younger self-who could never have imagined this moment-that she was always capable.