Traineeship helps award finalist Matty build a new future
Matthew Lloyd Jones – Traineeship programme and hard work have turned his life around.
Matthew Lloyd Jones has put all the building blocks in place for a successful career, something that did not seem possible only a few years ago.
Matty, 18, struggled at school and college and was referred by Coleg Cambria to the bespoke 16-week Construction Academy Traineeship programme, which works in collaboration with the North Wales Construction Framework, The Construction Industry Training Board and local and national construction companies.
He undertook workshops in bricklaying and joinery, took part in two community-based projects where he helped to renovate Ruthin Football Club and Shotton Adult Day Care Centre, and made site visits to Wynne Construction and Redrow Construction.
As his maturity and social skills improved, he completed his Site Safety Plus Level 1 and Green Labourer CSCS Card, allowing him to go on a construction site work placement.
It became evident that Matty, who lives in Buckley, had found his niche as he thrived in the placement and has been offered an apprenticeship with a local building contractor.
Now Matty has been shortlisted for the Traineeship of the Year (Engagement) Award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, the annual celebration of outstanding achievement in training and apprenticeships.
Thirty-four finalists in a dozen categories are in the running for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which will be presented at a high-profile ceremony at the new International Convention Centre Wales, Newport, on October 24.
The awards showcase the successes of the best learners, employers, tutors and assessors in Wales who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeship and Apprenticeship programmes.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru has Openreach, the UK’s digital network business, as its premier sponsor this year. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Amy Rowlands, of Coleg Cambria, said: “When Matty joined the programme he was unfocused and his attitude to learning was at an all-time low.
“He realised for him to progress he would need to work on his barriers. He recognised that this was his time to change and prove to everyone that he could succeed.
“We are all extremely proud of the journey that Matty has been on. He has matured into a respectful and inspirational young man, a positive role model for young people today.”
Matty added: “Before I joined the course, I was a different person. I hated school and college as I found them boring. Since joining the Traineeship programme, I have worked hard with all the services involved and proved to myself and them that I was able to turn my life around.”
Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, congratulated Matty and all the other shortlisted finalists.
“Our Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes are helping increasing numbers of people to gain the skills and experience that we know businesses across all sectors of the economy in Wales really need,” he said.
“The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements of everyone involved in those programmes from our star apprentices and employers, to learning providers and trainees.”
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