Search launched to find this year’s apprenticeship stars in Wales

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Winners at last year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru ceremony held at the Celtic Manor Resort.

 A search is underway to find the star learners, employers and training providers involved in the delivery of the successful learning programmes across Wales.

 

Applications for this year’s prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru are now being invited by joint organisers the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

 

Entry forms are available from the NTfW website – www.ntfw.org/apprenticeship-awards – and must be completed by noon on June 26. The coveted awards will be presented at a high profile ceremony to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Thursday, October 29.

 

The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have exceeded expectations, shown a dynamic approach to training and demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation, creativity and commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.

 

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.

 

They recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, which support employees during their training.

 

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

 

There are 12 categories this year, including two new awards for learning providers. A provider award for partnership working has been introduced together with a work-based learning practitioner of the year award.

 

In the traineeship category, there are awards for learner of the year (engagement) and learner of the year (level one). The Jobs Growth Wales programme will have an award for outstanding achiever of the year.

 

The apprenticeships category includes awards for foundation apprentice of the year, apprentice of the year and higher apprentice of the year.

 

There will also be four awards employers engaged with apprenticeships: small (1-49 employees), medium (50-249), large (250-4,999) and macro (5,000 plus).

 

Launching the awards, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James appealed to learners, employers and training providers to apply to showcase their achievements.

 

“We are proud to be delivering one of the most successful apprenticeship programmes in Europe, particularly in providing opportunity for younger entrants,” she said. “Developing skilled young people is vital for our economy.

 

“The Welsh Government is committed to training schemes such as apprenticeships but they are a shared responsibility with the education sector, businesses and individuals.

 

“We have some truly exceptional apprentices here in Wales and the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru are a chance for us to celebrate their hard work and achievements. Equally important are the training providers and employers who go the extra mile to support their apprentices.

 

“We offer a wide range of skills training across Wales and the awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success of this work.”

 

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