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Business News Wales
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Awards Recognise Training Company's Apprenticeship Stars
Winners of the Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by Cambrian Training Company. The achievements of apprentices, employers and work-based learning practitioners from across Wales were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Mid Wales. Twenty-seven finalists competed for the Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by work-based learning provider Cambrian Training Company. The awards, held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells, recognised employers, learners and practitioners who have excelled in apprenticeship programmes delivered by the Welshpool-based company and its sub-contractors. A popular winner was autistic apprentice Aaron Jones, a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea, who received a standing ovation after collecting the Apprentice Special Recognition 2025 Award. 'In receiving this very special award, I am enormously proud and owe it to every single person in the audience but above all to my fellow team of staff at Penycae Inn and to those that have autism and other profound learning needs,' he told the audience. 'As a person with autism who works in the hospitality industry, this award means so much to me. Anybody with a learning or physical disability who is considering doing an apprenticeship should absolutely go for it.' He praised Cambrian Training Company's hospitality training officers Andrew Addis-Fuller and Leah Williams for their support and encouragement to achieve his goals, which include completing his Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Apprenticeship early next year. Aaron Jones from Penycae Inn receives the Apprentice Special Recognition 2025 Award from Arwyn Watkins, OBE The Foundation Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Cameron Long, a cleaning support services attendant at Elite Clothing Solutions, Ebbw Vale, who has completed a Supported Shared Apprenticeship with support from Elite Supported Employment. Apprentice of the Year was Cai Watkins, head of business unit contract manager for Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool, while the Higher Apprentice of the Year award went to Mathew Verallo, operations manager for The Celtic Collection's Tŷ Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. The awards for employers was keenly contested. The Small Employer of the Year was Silver Assist Homecare, Llangorse, Brecon, Filco Markets, Llantwit Major collected the Medium Employer of the Year Award and Achieve Together, Cardiff was named Large Employer of the Year. Outstanding Individual of the Year was Denise Hodson, a playworker at Little Disciples Childcare, Penymynydd, Flintshire and Welsh Ambassador of the Year was Phoebe Wilson, lead training officer at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs, Cardiff. Practitioner of the Year was Elfed Wood, from Portal Training, Cardiff, the Employer Special Recognition Award went to The Grove, Narbeth and Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil was recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships. 'Among our winners and finalists are inspiring stories of personal growth and professional development,' said Faith O'Brien, Cambrian Training Company's managing director. 'This year's awards ceremony was a testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of our apprentices, employers and supporters. From the Apprentice of the Year awards to the recognition of outstanding employers and individuals, each accolade reflects the transformative power of apprenticeships in shaping careers and communities. 'Let's continue supporting and championing vocational education. Together, we can create a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive through learning and development.' The other finalists were: Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award: Josh Williams, a receptionist at Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor and Leanne Barratt, a chef at Mitchell & Butlers' Miller & Carter, Killay. Apprentice of the Year Award: Deanne Rance, area manager for Lonetree-McDonalds, Newport and Jodie Bowater, hotel manager Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor. Higher Apprentice of the Year: Ashley Richards, general manager at Peppermint Cardiff and Keri-Ann Evans, head chef at Bluestone, Narberth. Outstanding Individual of the Year: Rachael Bowles, blending room team leader for Hilltop Honey, Newtown and Aaron Jones, a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea. Small Employer of the Year: Nazareth House, Cardiff and Interplay, Penlan, Swansea. Medium Employer of the Year: Voco St David's Cardiff and The Grove, Narberth. Large Employer of the Year: Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil and Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Welsh Language Ambassador: Catherine Smith, training officer at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs and Samantha James, restaurant manager at Millie & Sid's, Tywyn. Work-based Learning Practitioner: Sean Williams from Sirius Skills Consulting, Mountain Ash and Sarah Bird from Clybiau Plant Cymru, Cardiff.
Business News Wales
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Finalists Announced for Training Company's Annual Awards
Winners of last year's Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards with Cambrian Training Company managing director Faith O'Brien. Employers, learners and practitioners from across Wales who have excelled in apprenticeship programmes delivered by Cambrian Training Company and its sub-contractors will be celebrated at an awards dinner. Twenty-seven finalists – three in each category – will compete for this year's Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by the Welshpool-based work-based learning provider. The awards, which will be held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells on June 3, celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices, employers and work-based learning practitioners who are committed to apprenticeships. A team of independent judges had the task of shortlisting finalists in nine categories from a record number of entries. Cardiff-based Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs has three finalists, including two in the same category, while employees of Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor will compete for two awards. Contesting the Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award are Cameron Long, a cleaning support services attendant at Elite Clothing Solutions, Ebbw Vale; Josh Williams, a receptionist at Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor and Leanne Barratt, a chef at Mitchell & Butlers' Miller &Carter, Killay. Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are Deanne Rance, area manager for Lonetree-McDonalds, Newport; Cai Watkins, head of business unit contract manager for Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool and Jodie Bowater, hotel manager Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor. The Higher Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are Ashley Richards, general manager at Peppermint Cardiff; Keri-Ann Evans, head chef at Bluestone, Narberth and Matthew Verallo, operations manager for The Celtic Collection's Tŷ Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. Seeking recognition in the Outstanding Individual of the Year Award category are Rachael Bowles, blending room team leader for Hilltop Honey, Newtown; Aaron Jones a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea and Denise Hodson, a playworker at Little Disciples Childcare, Penymynydd, Flintshire. Small Employer of the Year Award finalists are Silver Assist Homecare, Llangorse, Brecon; Nazareth House, Cardiff and Interplay, Penlan, Swansea. The Medium Employer of the Year Award brings together Filco Market, Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan; Voco St David's Cardiff and The Grove, Narberth, while finalists in the Large Employer of the Year are Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil; Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Achieve Together, Cardiff. Two work colleagues from Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs – Phoebe Wilson, lead training officer and Catherine Smith, training officer – and Samantha James, restaurant manager at Millie & Sid's, Tywyn have been shortlisted for the Welsh Language Ambassador Award. This award recognises people who promote the use of Welsh in the workplace. Finalists for the Work-based Learning Practitioner Award are Elfed Wood from Portal Training, Cardiff; Sean Williams from Sirius Skills Consulting, Mountain Ash and Sarah Bird from Clybiau Plant Cymru, Cardiff. Faith O'Brien, Cambrian Training Company's managing director, said: 'We are thrilled by the remarkable increase in both the quantity and quality of award entries this year and extend our sincere thanks to all participants. 'The upcoming awards ceremony next month promises to be a celebration of the finalists' inspiring success stories. It's an opportunity to honour not only the apprentices and employers but also everyone who has supported them on their journey. 'Together, they play an essential role in driving the Welsh economy forward, with apprenticeships serving as the gold standard for work-based learning.'
