Wind energy ambassador Thomas shortlisted for national apprenticeship award

Posted on by karen.smith

Thomas Woodward – wind-powered career.

Ambitious engineering apprentice Thomas Woodward’s career is literally wind powered. He works for wind energy company RWE Innogy UK at the Wind Turbine Service Centre in Llanidloes and is one of just six apprentices selected from 600 applicants in 2012.

Now the talented 21-year-old from Newtown has been shortlisted for a prestigious national apprenticeship award. He is one of three finalists in the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014.

He is among 36 finalists in 13 categories who will be attending a high profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 31. The awards are organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales by learners, employers and learning providers, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.

The awards recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, which support employees during their training. They are also a great way to evaluate training and development, as well as a fantastic motivational factor for any workforce or learner.

The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

Thomas completed a Foundation Apprenticeship in Performing Engineering Operations last year and has progressed to an Apprenticeship, designed for RWE Innogy UK and delivered by Coleg Llandrillo.

He has made such a good impression that he’s an ambassador for the company’s Apprenticeship Programme and has spoken at national renewable conferences and press days.

He aims to become a competent technician within the next year and hopes to become part of the company’s planning team for local wind farms, having enjoyed attending projects across the UK.

“Due to the variety of skills and techniques I have gained during my Apprenticeship, it has increased my confidence and motivation and given me the desire to experience new challenges within RWE Innogy,” said Thomas. “I feel that renewables are the answer for energy sustainability within our country.”

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “Apprenticeships provide learners with the skills, qualifications and experience they need whilst helping our businesses to grow. These awards are a chance for us to recognise the wealth of apprenticeship talent we have in Wales.

“Thomas is a fantastic ambassador, not just for RWE Innogy, but for apprentices across Wales.

“Employers like RWE Innogy, that are committed to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, are benefitting from highly skilled, motivated employees. Meanwhile, apprentices like Thomas are gaining highly-regarded qualifications and valuable experience of the demands of the workplace.

“I’d like to wish Thomas all the best for the awards and for a successful career.”

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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