The best in work-based
THE best in work-based training and apprenticeships will be honoured at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2017 on Friday.
Winners of the awards, organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), will be announced at a ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
Sponsored by Pearson, and supported by media partner Media Wales, the awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Praising the standard of applicants this year, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales. “These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”
Archway Court Nursery in Newport, which was established in 1993 and employs 37 full and part-time staff, is using the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Programme to support the development of staff and the children in their care. Since 2014, 17 nursery staff have enrolled on apprenticeship programmes with Itec Skills and Employment.
Happy Horse Retirement Home at Crai, near Brecon employs eight staff who care for 50 horses. Owners Nicky and Ray Van Dijk are passionate about developing staff through apprenticeship programmes delivered by Coleg Cambria, training nine apprentices in five years, most of who have gone on to careers in the equine industry.
Celtica Foods, a catering butchery and meat processing business based in Cross Hands, has developed a training academy with support from Cambrian Training Company. Qualifications range from Foundation Apprenticeships to a Higher Apprenticeship and 114 staff have completed training programmes.
Cyfle Building Skills Ltd is a shared apprenticeship programme for the construction industry established 10 years ago in Ammanford. More than 140 contractors are engaged and 135 shared apprentices employed across West Wales, making it one of the largest employers of its kind in the UK.
Electroimpact UK Ltd, a successful aerospace design and manufacturing company based in Hawarden, is going for a notable hat-trick after collected two accolades at the VQ Awards this summer. Supported by Coleg Cambria, the company has a workforce of 140 and employs five apprentices in its machine shop. The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport is committed to growing its own talent to deliver a five-star experience for its guests. The resort has recruited 386 apprentices over the past five years and currently employs 119 within a range of disciplines supported by training providers, including Training Company. Cambrian
The Intellectual Property Office in Newport has recruited 32 apprentices since launching an apprenticeship programme in 2014. Nineteen are currently employed there and another 20 are being taken on this autumn as the company works closely with training provider Acorn Learning Solutions.
Flintshire-based Redrow is an industry leader for apprenticeships, training and staff development. The company, which employs 2,200 people, works with training providers JTL Training and Coleg Cambria to deliver apprenticeships ranging from architectural design to domestic plumbing and heating. 15% of the workforce is involved in training and development. Deloitte LLP is a professional service company with an office in Cardiff, which employs more than 730 staff. Since launching an apprenticeship programme in 2015, delivered by Cardiff and Vale College, 41 apprentices have been recruited to work throughout the business and benefits include enhanced ideas and creativity.
MEDIUM EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Tata Steel employs more than 6,300 people at its Wales-based operations, including 211 apprentices. Working with Bridgend College, the company has been training apprentices for more than 50 years to ensure there is a “ready-made pipeline of talent”.
LARGE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR MACRO EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR TRAINEESHIP LEARNER OF THE YEAR (ENGAGEMENT)
Jordan William Jones, 18, from Bangor, works for Tyn Lon Volvo in Llanfair PG. Having lost both parents, he relocated to North Wales and has been encouraged by his aunt and uncle seek a motor industry career. His confidence has surged following a Traineeship Engagement programme with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and he has now begun a Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. Billy Brown, 18, form Barry, saw