LSST Wins The Mayor of London’s ‘Distinguished Provider of Adult Education Award’ for Transforming Adult Learning in London
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 13 November 2025
LSST has been awarded the prestigious Ascentis Award for ‘Distinguished Provider of Adult Education’ by The Mayor of London, recognising its exceptional impact on adult learning, social mobility and workforce development across the capital.
The Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards bring together London’s skills sector, to celebrate the inspirational stories of learners, employers, community organisations, colleges and providers, and their teaching and non-teaching staff.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of Business and Growth, said: “It was brilliant to celebrate with all of the award winners and nominees at the Adult Learning Ceremony on Thursday. I wish them all the best as they progress in their journeys, and I hope their successes will inspire others to take the plunge and learn new skills.
“The Mayor and I are committed to supporting Londoners to access high quality courses to help them gain the skills they need to get into well paid jobs in future proof industries. This is one of the many ways we a building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Speaking at the Adult Learning Awards (13 November 2025), sponsored by Ascentis, Mr Ali Jafar Zaidi, LSST’s CEO, said: “To have our commitment recognised by The Mayor of London and Deputy Mayor of Business and Growth is both humbling and exhilarating – a powerful reminder that purpose, when paired with learner perseverance, can truly move a city forward. This award reflects the spirit of our outstanding community that refuses to stand still when it comes to transforming lives through learning.”
“Every learner arrives with potential and leaves with purpose,” said Charles Tennant, LSST’s Vice Principal. “Winning the Ascentis Award is a testament to the courage of our learners who embrace opportunity every day. Our dedicated tutors and staff are proud to contribute to London’s skills sector and help shape a more inclusive and capable workforce in line with The Mayor of London’s priorities.”
Founded in 2003 by Mr Syed Zaidi, LSST is a private higher education provider committed to widening participation and supporting learners from underrepresented backgrounds for over 8,000 students across London, Luton and Birmingham. With variable timetables, inclusive entry routes and robust student support, LSST empowers its adult learners to progress in key sectors such as business and health.
LSST has become a high-impact force in learning, delivering employer-led Skills Bootcamps commissioned under the Mayor of London’s Skills Bootcamps for Londoners programme (delivered by the Greater London Authority – GLA). These free, short courses combine practical, in-demand training with guaranteed job interviews, directly addressing London’s skills shortages across creative industries, construction, healthcare and hospitality.
“LSST’s approach is barrier-free learning, offering our learners daily breakfast and lunch, travel allowances, one-to-one coaching, and access to our top-tier learner facilities,” said Matt Garvey, LSST’s Head of Further Education and Business Development. “Our partnerships with employers, including Barclays, Howden Insurance and Clermont Hotels, provide learners with invaluable industry exposure. The nurturing classroom environment ensures learners are seen, heard and empowered, with our approachable tutors who go the extra mile and build a culture where everyone has a voice.”
Between September 2024 and March 2025, LSST’s Skills Bootcamp enrolled 100 Londoners, achieved 100 course completions and secured 100 guaranteed job interviews – with 49 now in work.
Participants reflected London’s diversity supporting underrepresented Londoners develop leadership and management skills LSST’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement has been recognised through our ILM Assured status, matrix Standard (sic) for outstanding information, advice and guidance, and in February 2025, Ofsted praised LSST’s strong vision for its Skills Bootcamps and commended its strategic collaboration with external stakeholders to offer courses that directly address local skills gaps.
Through LSST’s innovative, inclusive and outcomes-driven Skills Bootcamp, Londoners gain practical skills, confidence and career direction, while employers benefit from diverse talent and underrepresented workforce inclusion, highlighting LSST’s strategic role in the capital’s economic and social future.
Over the coming weeks, join LSST’s Skills Bootcamps in:
- Management for Financial & Professional Services
- Painting & Decorating
- Bar Supervision & Mixology (for employed people only).
For free information, advice and guidance, please drop a line to foteini.meleti@lsst.ac and matthew.garvey@lsst.ac.
You can learn more about our award-winning Skills Bootcamps via: www.lsst.ac/skills_bootcamps/
Read LSST’s Ofsted report here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/33/2814824?utm_source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=report
See our Skills Bootcamp videos here: Skills BootCamps
For additional information or interviews, please direct questions to LSST’s Public Relations Manager via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac.
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