Reward for exceptional talent and commitment
A young hairdresser from Bangor has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award after showing exceptional talent and commitment to learning.
Lucy Price, 17, is one of 36 finalists in 13 categories of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013, organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). She is shortlisted for the Traineeship Learner of the Year Level 1 award.
Lucy Price, fast-tracked through training.
The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes across Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with the support of the European Social Fund.
The winners will be announced at a high profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 18.
Lucy left school with little hope or ambition, but today she works at TH1 hair salon in Bangor, where she is regarded as an outstanding employee with real potential to progress further.
Leaving school without any qualifications and only interested in hairdressing, Lucy enrolled on a Traineeship with Coleg Menai, where her talent and motivation were quickly recognised.
In the teaching salon, she showed exceptional skills and dexterity, so much so that she was fast-tracked through the engagement course and went on to achieve her Level 1 qualification ahead of target.
She is now working towards her NVQ Level 2 hairdressing qualification, which she is expected to complete well-ahead of target.
“When I started the hairdressing course, for the first time I found something I really wanted to do,” said Lucy. “I love my job and I’m very grateful to the college and the opportunities they have given me.
“I’d like to work my way up in the salon and maybe one day look at training to be a college tutor myself, so that I can help other young people like myself.”
Tracey Roberts from Coleg Menai said: “It is a well-used cliche when we say that people give 100% but in Lucy’s case it is absolutely true. She’s an amazing young lady who deserves to have her efforts rewarded and the successes she has achieved in her life recognised.”
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates said: “The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru remind us of the incredible wealth of talent that Wales has to offer and the outstanding achievements of Wales’ learners, employers and learning providers.
“Apprenticeships play an integral role in our economy. Not only do they provide essential skills and qualifications, but are in themselves life-changing opportunities for young people and, for employers, a major investment that’s paying real dividend to their bottom line and in the skills of their workforce.
“We know that apprenticeships deliver real business benefits and that’s why the Welsh Government, with support from the European Social Fund, continues to invest heavily in opportunities for young people to take up apprenticeships and continues to support employers who want to invest in the future of their workforce.
“Through their passion and dedication, the finalists announced at this year’s awards will inspire countless others to strive for excellence and demonstrate the tremendous impact that vocational training can have. I wish all of our finalists the very best as they continue to make great contributions in their chosen fields.”
Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.
More than 300 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 Welsh National Culinary Team.
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