DoAA means business
A young refugee who has been in this country for just two years has landed an apprenticeship with a global power technology company.
Doaa Khaledi (25), who came to the UK from Iraq in September 2021, is a Business Apprentice with Cummins Distribution Business. Her journey to success started a couple of months after she arrived when her social worker introduced her to KRAN.
Doaa says: “I joined the English lessons so that I could develop my language and then decided to complete my studies at Canterbury College by doing a Social Sciences course.
“During this time, KRAN was supportive of me and I became a trainee Youth Ambassador - a wonderful experience that developed my skills and knowledge, and added a lot to me.”
It was through KRAN, which has an ongoing relationship with Cummins, that Doaa was awarded her apprenticeship.
She says: “I applied to support my pursuit of a degree in Business Management, a field that I am deeply passionate about. This apprenticeship aligns directly with my career objectives and Cummins - with its global presence and strong entrepreneurial culture - presents an unparalleled opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context.
“Securing this role not only alleviates financial pressures, but also empowers me to gain invaluable experience, thereby paving the way for a promising future in business leadership.”
Doaa, who says she’s “incredibly happy” to have been awarded the apprenticeship, has these words of advice for anyone thinking about their next steps: “Stay curious and be proactive. Do not hesitate to apply for any opportunity or training that can add to your experience and knowledge - these are invaluable to personal and professional growth.”
All at KRAN are very proud of Doaa and CEO Razia Shariff says: “This young woman, who has been in the country for such a short time and who has English as her second language, is an inspiration to all our young refugees and asylum seekers. We thank Cummins for giving her this amazing opportunity.”
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Cummins Bongani Tshabalala said: “At Cummins, diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we believe we win with the power of difference.
“I have the privilege of partnering with refugee organisations from a Talent Acquisition perspective, and it has been incredibly rewarding. The skillset and wealth of experience that sits within this demographic is absolutely amazing. What Doaa has achieved in such a short time should be commended, and we look forward to seeing her develop and grow throughout her apprenticeship at Cummins.”