ISA helps learners excel on the big stage

Posted on by karen.smith

Innovative training provider ISA Training, which provides exciting and career enhancing opportunities for work based learners to excel on the national and international stage, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The Bridgend-based company is one of 28 finalists in nine categories of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru recognise the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality Apprenticeships across Wales. Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes in Wales are part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

The winners will be announced at a high profile awards presentation ceremony at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on Wednesday, October 24, where the winners of the National Training Awards for Wales will also be recognised. The joint awards which will be attended by around 300 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales.

Sponsor of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which aim to showcase excellence in skills development in Wales, is Pearson and media partner is Media Wales.

ISA Training, the largest independent hairdressing and beauty training provider in Wales, organises pioneering international learner exchanges and Salon Cymru, a dynamic annual event in Cardiff to showcase hairdressing and beauty talent.

A Gap Year programme has been developed to encourage Foundation Apprentices to progress to Apprenticeships and an ISA Voice Panel gives learners and employers a say about the way their Apprenticeship programmes are structured and delivered.

Most importantly, the company’s framework completion rates exceed sector averages.

“Our company ethos is to strive for excellence in everything we do and all our employees share this vision,” said managing director Shirley Davis-Fox. The company is one of three finalists for Training Provider of the Year.

Next summer, 10 young learners from ISA Training will gain valuable career experience in Tarragona, Spain as part of a pioneering exchange project funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo Programme. The project is the first of its kind in Wales for work based learners working towards an Apprenticeship.

Next target for the company, which has grown tenfold since its launch in 1998, is the Investors in People gold standard.

A team of 53 staff delivers government funded learning programmes across Wales and South and West England in beauty, hairdressing, customer service, team leading and management, providing complete training solutions for employers in the hair and beauty sector.

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert said: “These awards recognise excellence by individuals, employers and learning providers in delivering training. I am delighted with the standard of this year’s finalists and the variety across all ages and sectors, which shows the strength of the skills being delivered in Wales.

“All the finalists have an inspiring story to tell and are great ambassadors for apprenticeship and other programmes in Wales.

“The skills acquired through programmes, such as Apprenticeships, provide great benefits to individuals and employers, helping make Welsh businesses more competitive.

“The Welsh Government is committed to creating more apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Wales and continuing to support employers who are willing to offer high quality apprenticeship places.”

The NTfW is a network 116 quality assured work based training providers with links to 35,000 employers across Wales.

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