Against All Odds | Aspiration Awards 2026 | NCFE

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Replacement certificates - learners
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Enter: Against All Odds

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Do you know someone who deserves to win the Against All Odds award?

This award recognises a learner or apprentice who has overcome difficult personal circumstances to achieve success. This may include overcoming personal challenges (including physical, emotional or financial), or caring for others whilst studying and still going on to achieve.

What should my nomination include?

You can write up to 1,000 words about why you’re nominating this learner for this award. You should consider including the following in your nomination: 

  • Has the learner faced difficult personal circumstances during their studies or had additional things they’ve had to juggle on top of their studies? 
  • Has the learner made significant progress since starting their qualification/apprenticeship, or achieved above and beyond, regardless of the hurdles they may have faced along the way? 
  • Has the learner gone above and beyond to make a difference – either for themselves, their peers, their employers, their place of study or their community? 

Remember to read the terms and conditions before submitting your nomination! 

Against All Odds

First, we need your details, so we can contact you if your nominee has been shortlisted:

Now, please tell us about your nominee:

(By completing this, you’re confirming that the nominee has consented to give their email address so that we can contact them if they are shortlisted)

To enter your nominee for this category, NCFE or Active IQ must be the awarding organisation for this qualification, or NCFE must be the end-point assessment organisation for the apprenticeship.

Before submitting your nomination, you should think about including any or all of the following: Has the learner faced difficult personal circumstances during their studies or had additional things they’ve had to juggle on top of their studies? Has the learner made significant progress since starting their qualification/apprenticeship, or achieved above and beyond, regardless of the hurdles they may have faced along the way? Has the learner gone above and beyond to make a difference – either for themselves, their peers, their employers, their place of study or their community?

If you have any queries regarding your nomination, please contact [email protected].

Need inspiration?

Our Against All Odds 2025 winner: Anya Clair

Anya Clair’s education was put on hold after a car accident left her with severe physical and cognitive injuries. After originally joining the City of Wolverhampton College in 2022, her path was tragically interrupted aged 17 when driving with her friends, but she has now been inspired by those who cared for her.  

Read Anya's story

Our Against All Odds 2024 winner: Michael Wells

Our 2024 winner, Michael Wells, has overcome many cultural, personal, and educational barriers to gain his Level 3 Internet Marketing in Business (awarded by NCFE), going on to complete a 16-week Skills Bootcamp and his highest qualification to date.

Read Michael's story

Our Against All Odds 2023 winner: Gabriella Fox

Gabriella Fox is an inspiring individual who learnt remotely through Technology Triumphs. Born with the rare syndrome VACTERL, which affects various parts of the body, Gabriella has had over 35 operations over the last 17 years. However, Gabriella wouldn’t let this stop her from getting an education, particularly in creative and practical subjects. 

Read Gabriella’s story

I’ve seen Gabriella at her lowest, but I’ve also seen her overcome that and achieve amazing things. For her to have won this award just makes me incredibly proud of her!

Louise Fox, mum of Gabriella Fox - our 2023 Against All Odds recipient