South East Wales finalists compete at Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022

South East Wales will be represented by 16 finalists at this year’s prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022, the winners of which will be announced at a virtual ceremony on November 10.

Highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers and practitioners, the awards are organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) and headline sponsor Openreach.

The awards highlight the outstanding achievements, during unprecedented times, of employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners. Twenty-three finalists will contest nine award categories.

Olivia Headley-Grant, from Barry, who works for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and whose training provider is Cardiff and Vale College, is a Foundation Apprentice of the Year finalist.

The Apprentice of the Year finalists include James Matthewman, deputy head greenkeeper at Maesteg Golf Club whose training provider is Bridgend College and Kiera Dwyer, from Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd who works for Sheppards Pharmacy, part of the Avicenna group, in Abercynon and whose training provider is Health Education and Improvement Wales, supported by ALS Training.

Competing for the Higher Apprentice of the Year Award are Jayne Williams, from Newport, who works for HM Courts and Tribunals Service and whose training provider is ACT and Michelle Gaskell from Abergavenny, who works for the Forensic Capability Network and whose training provider is ALS Training.

Small and Medium Employers of the Year finalists include Welsh language day nursery Si Lwli, Whitchurch, Cardiff whose training provider is Educ8 Training and FSG Tool and Die, Llantrisant whose training provider is TSW Training.

Large and Macro Employers of the Year finalists include Kepak Group, Merthyr Tydfil whose training provider is Cambrian Training Company; Celsa Steel UK, Cardiff whose training provider is TSW Training and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Pontypridd who training provider is Educ8 Training.

Competing for the coveted Work-based Learning Practitioner of the Year Award, which recognises those crucially involved in delivering apprenticeships, are Victoria Morris from Educ8 Training, Ystrad Mynach, Hayley Walters from Itec Training Solutions, Cardiff and Angelina Mitchell from ACT, Cardiff

Tomorrow’s Talent finalists include Chrystalla Moreton from Fairwater, Cardiff who works for Celsa Steel UK and whose training provider is TSW Training; Anya O’Callaghan from Spirit Hair Team, Ystrad Mynach whose training provider is Educ8 Training and Evan Coombs, from Blaenavon, who works for PCI Pharma Services and Aspire Blaenau Gwent and whose training providers are Coleg y Cymoedd and Gower College Swansea.

This award category gives employers the opportunity to nominate a current apprentice who has ‘demonstrated significant personal progress’ and has made ‘a tangible and positive impact on the employer’s organisational performance.’

The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund. For more information about recruiting an apprentice, visit: https://gov.wales/apprenticeships-genius-decision or call 03000 603000.

Picture caption:

James Matthewman from Maesteg, an Apprentice of the Year finalist.