Town celebrates the Best in Wales

 

 

The prestigious National Training Awards and Apprenticeship Awards brought together the cream of learners, employers and training providers, who have shown total dedication and commitment to skills development and business improvement across Wales.

 

Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales, the joint awards were organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). The Apprenticeship Awards were sponsored by Pearson and the National Training Awards were sponsored by City & Guilds.

 

In the Apprenticeship Awards, the Apprentice of the Year was Steven Owen, 19, who is making a name for himself as head chef at The Bull and Heifer, Bettws Cedewain.

 

Winner of the Apprenticeship Provider of the Year award was Cambrian Training Company, a business with a clear mission to be the best work based learning provider in Wales. With 36 employees and offices in Welshpool, Holyhead, Aberaeron and Brecon, the company has developed strong relationships with employers and apprentices by delivering high quality, flexible training solutions to businesses of all sizes.

 

The National Training Award for a large employer went to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service which helped improve emergency responses and saved almost £20,000 in training fees by reviewing training for newly-promoted crew managers. The service found it difficult to secure part-time staff, which had an impact on its ability to respond effectively to emergency calls. The review identified the need to train more crew managers and update their development programme. Of the 78 candidates enrolled, 22 have completed the course with a saving of approximately £900 per candidate.

 

Small Employer: Anthony A. Davies Group, Abergavenny.

Medium Employer: Utility Partnership Ltd, Cardiff.

Large Employer: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Carmarthen.

 

Apprentice of the Year: Steven Owen, 19, head chef at The Bull and Heifer, Bettws Cedewain.

Entrepreneurial Apprentice of the Year: Gavin Zembrzuski, owner of TAG-Z, Llandrindod Wells.

Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Nik Petrakis, co-owner of nickymichaels, Cyncoed, Cardiff.

Small Employer of the Year: Eastern Leisure Centre, Cardiff

Medium Employer of the Year: Tritech Precision Products, Wrexham.

Large Employer of the Year: SA Brain and Co Ltd, Cardiff

Macro Employer of the Year: BT, Cardiff.

Apprenticeship Provider of the Year: Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool.

Steps to Employment Learner of the Year: Katrina Kind, The New Cranford, Colwyn Bay.

Traineeships Learner of the Year (Engagement): Natasha Fenton, Tint Wizard, Neath.

Traineeships Learner of the Year (Level 1): Alex Dawe, West Coast Labs, Cardiff.