Award finalist Kirsty rises to the training challenge
Kelly Cross of PeoplePlus with trainee Kirsty Redmond and a resident of Fredericks House care home.
Kirsty Redmond is an incredible young woman who has risen to the challenge of training whilst coping with almost overwhelming challenges in the family home.
Despite having learning difficulties herself, Kirsty, 21, is principal carer for her father and three siblings, including a severely disabled brother in a wheelchair.
Kirsty was 18 when her mother died and she suddenly had to take on the responsibility of caring for her family. Her learning difficulties meant she left school with no qualifications and two early training opportunities were unsuccessful.
But in 2015, PeoplePlus in Merthyr Tydfil helped Kirsty through a Traineeship Engagement programme and a Level 1 in Health and Social Care.
The training led to a job with Fredericks House, a care home in Merthyr Tydfil, where Kirsty is very much part of the team and looking ahead to an apprenticeship.
Now she has been recognised as one of Wales’ star learners by being shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. She will be competing to become Traineeship Learner of the Year (Level 1) at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.
Thirty star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
The awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.
PeoplePlus manager Joanne Southall said: “Kirsty makes my heart smile. She is such a caring and supportive person. I look at what she has been through and where she is today and think ‘Wow’.
“She has developed into a lovely young lady and her manager says she is a pleasure to work with. Kirsty has completed all in-house training with support and constantly wants to learn new things.”
Kirsty said: “I never thought I would have a job let alone the chance to develop new skills and learning.”
Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating Kirsty on being shortlisted for an award, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales.
“These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”
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