A ‘thoughtful and kind’ social worker who ‘is determined to learn and grow’ has been nominated for a prestigious Apprentice of the Year award.
Mariya Muleya, who works in adult social care at Leicester City Council, is studying for a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) at De Montfort University. Mariya and her team work with people over 18 who may have disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term neurological conditions or mental health needs.
Now Mariya has been nominated by her DMU tutors for Apprentice of the Year at the Leicestershire Business Awards, which are organised by East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.
Mariya started work at the city council in 2004 as a family care support worker, after previously working for an organisation called Crossroads Caring for Carers. She left the council in 2005 but rejoined in 2010 as a care management officer. Since then, she has worked her way up to become a head of service, overseeing the west area of the city, where she leads a large team with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
During her degree apprenticeship, Mariya has covered topics including personal effectiveness for managers, finance and accounting, project management and strategic planning. She has also learned about innovation and digital transformation for organisational improvement. Mariya is completing a project in this area, looking at ways in which new technology can support the council’s adult social care service to streamline its processes and achieve better outcomes for local people.
Mariya’s tutors say she has been nominated because she is highly motivated, conscientious, and keen to apply her workplace learning to her studies, bringing additional value to her work. Meanwhile her colleagues – both in the workplace and in the classroom – say Mariya is ‘determined to learn and grow’, ‘resilient’, ‘thoughtful and kind’ and ‘easy to talk to’.
Deputy city mayor for adult social care, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “It’s wonderful news that Mariya has been nominated for Apprentice of the Year. We know the standards will be high, so it’s a great achievement just to be nominated, and a testament to Mariya’s hard work and talent.
“Adult social care is a huge responsibility for the city council and one we take very seriously, which is why we’re determined to invest in high-quality, well-trained staff like Mariya by supporting their professional development. In this way, we can provide the best possible service to the people of Leicester who most need our help.”
Anne Marlow, senior lecturer, corporate development at DMU, said: “Mariya embraces every opportunity to grow at work and university and uses her experiences to bring refreshing perspectives to discussions. She sets herself high personal standards and is determined to achieve them. Teaching her is a real pleasure.
“Working with apprentices and local employers through CMDA is very rewarding, and we are especially proud of all the ways that Mariya is using her experiences on the programme to make a positive difference to others through her work. We hope that this nomination will bring fresh opportunities for her and the city council.”
Mariya said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be nominated for the Apprentice of the Year award. No matter the outcome, I am a winner just by being nominated.
“I want to thank my employer for the opportunity, DMU staff and my mentor at work for the support and guidance on my journey. Without their support, this would not have been possible.”
The Leicestershire Business Awards will be given out at a gala dinner in Leicester on 8 November.
