Hunt is on for star learners and mentors inWelshApprenticeshipAwards

WALES’ Minister for Skills and Science Julie James has launched the hunt for this year’s star learners, employers, tutors and assessors.

The Minister is encouraging entries for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which are organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

She said: “More employers across Wales are recognising the value of our successful apprenticeship programme and the need to raise higher-level skills in order to address skills gaps and respond to industry changes.”

“The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provide a perfect platform for us to celebrate the achievements of the programme through our star apprentices, employers and learning providers, whose stories never cease to amaze and inspire.”

Finalists in 11 categories will be shortlisted for awards, which will be presented at a ceremony at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort on October 20.

The awards recognise learners, employers and training providers in Wales who have excelled on the Welsh Government’s Traineeship and Apprenticeship Programmes. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government and European Social Fund.

In the employability category, there are awards for Traineeship Learner of the Year for Engagement and Level 1. There are also awards for Best Foundation Apprentice, Apprentice and Higher Apprentice of the Year.

The business category includes awards for Small (1-49), Medium (50-249), Large (250-4,999) and Macro (5,000-plus) Employer of the Year, while work-based learning practitioners will compete for Assessor and Tutor of the Year.

The awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by Media Wales.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.ntfw.org/ apprenticeships-awards/ and the closing date is noon, June 23, 2017.