Camberley upskilling academy wins ‘Digital Pioneer’ award
A Camberley upskilling academy has been honoured with the ‘Digital Pioneer’ award at the inaugural Global South Maritime Heritage Summit held at the House of Lords.
Step8Up Academy were recognised for its role in driving skills development as it delivers a range of training programmes to help individuals secure job roles and businesses close skills gaps.
Part of the UK’s Bali Jatra celebrations, the two-day summit strengthened relations between India and the UK with more than 115 dignitaries and thought leaders attending. The summit’s awards ceremony honoured outstanding contributions to sustainability, inclusivity and shared progress.
Held at the House of Lords, Bali Jatra – meaning ‘Journey to Bali’ – is a festival held to remember and celebrate Odishan maritime history.
Attending on the day was founder of tech company XpertNest Arun Kar who acted as a key sponsor for the event. A shining example of SME success, XpertNest has recently been listed in the London Stock Exchange.
CEO of Step8Up Academy Jeev Sahoo said: “We are deeply honoured to receive the ‘Digital Pioneer’ award at such a landmark event. This recognition highlights our mission to bridge the skills gap, help businesses grow and individuals secure the job roles they want. To be acknowledged at a Bali Jatra celebration is incredibly meaningful for us too.
Bali Jatra’s early mariners explored the world with a sense of adventure, innovation and exploration – these values resonate with how our academy innovates, explores and ventures into new areas such as AI.”
Sweta Mohanty from event organiser Odisha Society United Kingdom (OSUK) said: “We pledge to strengthen the bridges between our nations – through respect for diversity, environmental stewardship and shared prosperity. From ancient maritime glory to sustainable futures, we sail together – united in purpose, guided by history and anchored in hope.”