Creative learning provider shortlisted for two national apprenticeship awards

Posted on by karen.smith

ACT Training’s managing director Andrew Cooksley with some of the company’s learners.

A Cardiff-based training provider’s creative and innovative approach to the delivery of Apprenticeship Programmes that deliver results for the learner and the employer has been recognised by award judges.

ACT Training is in contention for two accolades – Apprenticeship Provider of the Year and the Provider Award for Social Responsiveness – at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014 to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 31.

The awards are organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales by learners, employers and learning providers, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.

The awards recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, which support employees during their training. They are also a great way to evaluate training and development, as well as a fantastic motivational factor for any workforce or learner.

The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

ACT Training works with employers from the outset to engage them in the delivery of programmes, ensuring they are actively involved in what is an important investment for them and their learners.

The company has developed strategic partnerships with NatWest, Barclays, Deloittes and the Chamber of Trade to actively promote its services through them to businesses. This includes events to engage directly with employers and jointly branded materials and marketing collateral to raise awareness.

It has also developed ways to engage learners through the use of mobile technology and fun workshops to ensure they embrace learning.

Being socially responsive is at the core of ACT, which provides an “open door” culture to training, learning and development. The company promotes social inclusion and encourages learners from under-represented groups to support their achievements in training and learning.

It has provided a range of initiatives that address the Welsh Government’s cross-cutting themes on the delivery of work-based learning, including two academies to provide an alternative to mainstream school for young people disengaged with education.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “Apprenticeships are one of the most practical and cost effective ways for a business to build a skilled workforce. An apprentice can learn the skills an employer needs to keep pace with developments in their industry and deliver the service customers demand.

“Providers like ACT Training play a key role in helping the Welsh Government to deliver work based learning programmes to train and develop the nation’s workforce.”

More than 400 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales are expected to attend the high profile awards ceremony, where guests will dine out with chefs from the Culinary Team Wales.

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