Finalists named for Apprenticeship Awards in Wales
Thirty-six learners, employers and training providers from across Wales have been selected as finalists for this year’s prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The awards, organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of quality apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes across Wales.
Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.
More than 250 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales are expected to attend the high profile awards presentation ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 18.
The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru aim to highlight the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations, shown a dynamic approach to training and demonstrated initiative and enterprise, innovation, creativity and commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.
They recognise employers, learners and providers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and supporting their employees during their training.
The awards are also a great way to evaluate training and development, as well as a fantastic motivational factor for any workforce or learner.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists announced for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. I’ve been very impresssed with the standard and number of applications from businesses and providers.
“All applications endorse the value of apprenticeships and highlight the many achievements of some very talented and able apprentices as well as the commitment of Welsh businesses to their workforce.
“Apprenticeships are the gold standard in vocational training for ambitious young people, increasing their skills and motivation and improving a company’s prospects for growth. The Welsh Government will continue to provide opportunities for young people to take up apprenticeships as well as ensuring that we support employers who want to recruit additional apprentices.”
This year’s awards have 13 different categories for learners, employers and learning providers, including a new category for the outstanding achiever on the Jobs Growth Wales programme.
The finalists are: Small employer of the year (up to 49 employees): Maes Manor Hotel, Blackwood; Spirit Hair Team, Ystrad Mynach and The Cardiff Story Museum, Cardiff. Large employer of the year (up to 5,000 employees): Denbighshire County Council, Ruthin; G. E. Aviation, Nantgarw and Mabey Bridge Limited, Chepstow . Macro employer of the year (more than 5,000 employees): Airbus Operations Ltd, Broughton; BT, Cardiff and Flintshire County Council, Mold.
Apprenticeship provider of the year: ISA Training, Pencoed, Bridgend, Mid and North Wales Skills Consortium, Wrexham and Vocational Skills Partnership (Wales) Ltd, Abercynon. Provider award for social responsiveness: Acorn Learning Solutions, Newport and Mid and North Wales Training Consortium, Wrexham.
Foundation apprentice of the year: Paula Blundell, Ysgol Mynydd Isa, Mold; Joshua Jenkins, DRB Group, Connah’s Quay and Ashley Jones, R. J. Auto Centre, Llanelli. Entrepreneurial and Apprentice of the year: Emma Brooks, Jolly Tots Nursery, Llandrindod Wells; April Fay Davies, Common Piece Farm and Dairy Dreams, Churchstoke Aron Wyn Jones, Rehau Ltd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Nicholas Petrakis, Nickymichaels, Cardiff. Higher apprentice of the year: Alex Birbeck and Daniel Holland, both Airbus UK, Broughton and Ann Roberts, Hafod Care Association, Cwmbran.
Traineeship learner of the year – engagement: Dominic Evans, Newport; Tama Girdlestone, Amlwch and Shannon Mason, Cardiff. Traineeship learner of the year level one: Jordan Jackson, Caerphilly; Chloe Lodder, Cwmbran and Lucy Price, Bangor. Steps to Employment learner of the year: Sean Parsons, Newport; Kevin Price, Hengoed and Nicola Sanigar, Barry.
Jobs Growth Wales outstanding achiever of the year: Gareth Carpenter, Newport; Ffion Malwala, Prestatyn and Craig Wadley, Pencoed.
The winners will be selected by a judging panel comprising Jeff Protheroe, chair, from National Training Federation for Wales, Essex Havard from NIACE Dysgu Cymru, Judith Cook from Pearson, Simon Farrington from Media Wales, Leon Patnett from Careers Wales, Sian Powell from the Welsh Government and Iestyn Davies from FSB Wales
More News Articles
« Welsh employers develop a taste for success with apprenticeship programme — Holywell company has designs for success with Jobs Growth Wales »
