Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at London South Bank University, leads the institution’s award-winning apprenticeship strategy and delivery. With a focus on scale, integrity and impact, Sammy heads up LSBU’s dedicated Apprenticeship Team, which plays a central role in shaping the university’s sector-leading approach to work-based learning.
Fresh from LSBU being named Best University for Apprenticeships at the 2025 Apprenticeship Guide Awards, Sammy shares insights into what makes the university’s model stand out—and why its mission is as much about social mobility as it is about skills.
1. Congratulations on being named Best University for Apprenticeships at the 2025 Apprenticeship Guide Awards! What does this recognition mean to London South Bank University and your team?
“This award is a deeply meaningful recognition for LSBU and a powerful endorsement of the work our apprenticeship team and colleagues across LSBU deliver every single day. It affirms that our strategy of embedding apprenticeships at the heart of our institution—rather than on the periphery—is both distinctive and impactful. For our staff, it’s a proud moment that reflects years of effort to build an inclusive, high-quality, and scalable apprenticeship ecosystem. For our apprentices and employer partners, it’s validation that they are choosing a university genuinely committed to delivering opportunity, skills, and success. It also demonstrates that higher education institutions can—and must—play a leading role in workforce development, particularly as the economy demands new skills and more agile, work-based routes.”
“This award is a deeply meaningful recognition for LSBU and a powerful endorsement of the work our apprenticeship team and colleagues across LSBU deliver every single day. It affirms that our strategy of embedding apprenticeships at the heart of our institution—rather than on the periphery—is both distinctive and impactful. For our staff, it’s a proud moment that reflects years of effort to build an inclusive, high-quality, and scalable apprenticeship ecosystem. For our apprentices and employer partners, it’s validation that they are choosing a university genuinely committed to delivering opportunity, skills, and success. It also demonstrates that higher education institutions can—and must—play a leading role in workforce development, particularly as the economy demands new skills and more agile, work-based routes.”
2. What do you believe set your apprenticeship programme apart from others and contributed to your award win this year?
“Three things: scale, integrity, and impact. First, LSBU Group is one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the country, offering progression pathways from Level 2 to Level 7. This comprehensive provision enables us to serve a wide range of learners and employers, from those entering the workforce to senior professionals looking to upskill.
Second, we’ve built a culture of integrity and quality around compliance, employer relationships, and learner outcomes. Our onboarding, briefing, and review processes ensure shared expectations and sustained engagement.
Third, we are delivering genuine impact—supporting social mobility, meeting skills shortages, and creating routes into professions for learners from diverse backgrounds. Our apprenticeship model is not just about meeting funding targets; it’s about building futures.”
Second, we’ve built a culture of integrity and quality around compliance, employer relationships, and learner outcomes. Our onboarding, briefing, and review processes ensure shared expectations and sustained engagement.
Third, we are delivering genuine impact—supporting social mobility, meeting skills shortages, and creating routes into professions for learners from diverse backgrounds. Our apprenticeship model is not just about meeting funding targets; it’s about building futures.”
3. Could you share the story or initiative behind the award entry—what was the focus, and why was it significant?
“Our award entry told the story of transformation—how we’ve taken an already strong apprenticeship programme and made it a national exemplar. We highlighted the launch of the Amazing Apprenticeships Project, a targeted campaign to increase participation among underrepresented groups in Southwark and Lambeth. Through school engagement, community outreach, and employer collaboration, we’ve opened up new routes into industries like construction, healthcare, and digital.
We also showcased innovations in employer engagement, such as our Online Welcome Portal and ‘Introduction to Apprenticeships’ e-learning module, which give employers the tools to be effective partners. These initiatives show our commitment to access, co-design, and quality, underpinned by our values of excellence, professionalism, and inclusivity.”
We also showcased innovations in employer engagement, such as our Online Welcome Portal and ‘Introduction to Apprenticeships’ e-learning module, which give employers the tools to be effective partners. These initiatives show our commitment to access, co-design, and quality, underpinned by our values of excellence, professionalism, and inclusivity.”
4. How does LSBU work with employers to design apprenticeship programmes that truly meet their business needs?
“We don’t just ‘consult’ with employers—we co-design with them. Every apprenticeship standard is built or adapted in close collaboration with sector experts and employer representatives. Through our Group Employer Advisory Panel, industry forums, and bespoke one-to-one engagement, we ensure our provision is aligned to real workforce needs.
For example, we offer pre-enrolment briefings, tailored onboarding, and regular compliance and quality assurance reviews so that employer relationships are managed with transparency and consistency from the outset.”
For example, we offer pre-enrolment briefings, tailored onboarding, and regular compliance and quality assurance reviews so that employer relationships are managed with transparency and consistency from the outset.”
5. In what ways does the university support apprentices during their studies—both academically and in their wider development?
“Support at LSBU is structured, proactive, and holistic. Every apprentice has a dedicated Skills Reviewer, access to a newly formed EPA Success Team, and a clear Personal Development Plan (PDP). Academic support incl
udes tailored learning resources, one-to-one tutoring, and group workshops, complemented by the Aptem platform for
managing progress and logging off-the-job training.
But we go beyond academic needs. Apprentices are members of the Association of Apprentices, giving them access to national networks, wellbeing services, and leadership development. We also ensure safeguarding, m
But we go beyond academic needs. Apprentices are members of the Association of Apprentices, giving them access to national networks, wellbeing services, and leadership development. We also ensure safeguarding, m
ental health, and EDI practices are embedded in our systems, recognising that our learners may be in workplaces that differ from traditional student environments.”
6. Can you tell us about a standout success story from one of your apprentices or employer partners in the past year?
“A great example is Isha Ahmed, a Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprentice working at
WW+P and studying at LSBU. She joined the programme at 18, seeking an alternative to traditional university. Through her apprenticeship, she’s worked on global infrastructure projects, from Saudi Arabia to Cardiff, while excelling academically. Isha is now a national ambassador for apprenticeships and has contributed to sector-wide campaigns to promote access and diversity in architecture.On the employer side, companies like CBRE have scaled their apprenticeship commitments through our co-designed models, helping meet national infrastructure and housing goals. These partnerships are not just delivering talent pipelines—they’re shaping entire professions.”
7. What sectors or types of apprenticeships are seeing the most growth or innovation at LSBU right now?
“We’re seeing dynamic growth across green technologies, healthcare, construction, and digital. Notably, we were the first provider in England to launch the Level 3 Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship—a programme aligned with the government’s Net Zero targets and supported by the GLA.
We’re also scaling our work in adult nursing, digital marketing, and civil engineering, with a strong focus on supporting SMEs and public sector employers. Our flexible models allow us to reach learners who might not otherwise be able to participate, and to meet evolving employer demands with agility.”
8. How does your programme ensure apprentices graduate with both practical workplace experience and strong academic foundations?
“At LSBU, academic learning and work-based practice are fully integrated. Our apprentices don’t just attend lectures—they apply their learning in real-time on the job, guided by KSB-aligned objectives and tri-party reviews with their employer and university.
Each apprentice builds a portfolio demonstrating their competence and receives structured support in preparing for the End-Point Assessment (EPA), including mock assessments and coaching. This means that by the time they graduate, they’ve developed both the critical thinking expected of a university graduate and the practical expertise employers value.”
9. Looking ahead, what are LSBU’s priorities or new developments for the future of your apprenticeship offering?
“We are focused on strategic growth—scaling our provision from 3,200 apprentices in 2024/25 to 6,000 by 2030. But growth will not come at the expense of quality.
Key priorities include:
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Further embedding blended learning across more standards
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Creating new technical pathways at Levels 2 and 3 to widen participation
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Strengthening employer-led innovation, particularly around green and digital skills
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Enhancing EPA outcomes through the expansion of our EPA Success Team
We are also actively contributing to national policy debates, including proposed reforms to Level 7 funding, where we advocate for a balanced system that supports both early-career and advanced professional apprentices.”
10. What would you say to prospective students or employers who are considering working with LSBU for apprenticeships?
“To employers: Partnering with LSBU means working with a university that listens, delivers, and adapts. We understand the compliance, funding, and workforce development challenges you face—and we’ve built the systems, people, and partnerships to support you.”
“To prospective apprentices: If you want to learn, earn, and grow in a real-world environment, LSBU is the place for you. Whether you’re starting out or switching careers, we’ll help you build the skills, confidence, and qualifications you need to succeed.”
