'There’s so much you can learn’: Bolu Olawaye, Howden, Apprentice of the Year at the UK IT Industry Awards

‘IT’s a great industry to be in, and my advice would be ‘get into it’

Apprentice of the Year Bolu Olawaye of Howden says his entire workforce supported him in his win at the UK IT Industry Awards 2024.

Bolu impressed the judging team with his commitment to thinking differently, which the judges said “exceeded expectations,” even among the top-class entries the awards gather every year.

After collecting his prize, Bolu said the win felt “amazing,” adding, "It feels so good to have my entire workforce and the team and other members of Howden here, because they’ve supported me all the way along my journey - so to achieve this with them? It just feels amazing. Top of the world right now.”

He said IT is "a great industry to be in, and my advice would be ‘get into it.’”

“There’s so much you can learn; and when you get into it you continue learning, because learning is the most important part. If you keep on learning, keep on learning, you’ll find more and more opportunities will keep coming your way.”

Events like the UK IT Industry Awards, which Computing owns and operates with our partner BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, are not only good to highlight "the people who’ve done well in the industry,” but also to highlight the industry itself.

On top of that, they serve as a great way to "get more young, diverse people into the industry as well.

“I think that’s really, really important, and by highlighting people who have achieved they can inspire others to continue and do more, as well, within this industry.”

Click here for a full list of winners at the UK IT Industry Awards 2024, and here for a set of images from the big night last week.