ACT learner and tutor are through to the finals in this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cyrmu

Thirty-three star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of a range of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

Two of which are Darren Watts, a Level 2 Childcare Apprentice, and Chris Hughes, ILM Tutor.

Entries for the prestigious awards, jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), poured in from across the nation. A panel of judges had the difficult task of selecting the finalists who must now await the final ceremony at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on October 20 to discover if they have won an award.

The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals, employers and learning providers who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships, Jobs Growth Wales and Apprenticeship programmes.

The judging panel looked for those who have exceeded expectations, shown a dynamic approach to training and demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation, creativity and commitment to improve skills development in Wales.

Funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.

Wales’ Minister for Skills and Science Julie James congratulated the finalists and thanked all the learners, employers and learning providers who had entered this year’s awards.

“I am told that the quality of entries was higher than ever this year, which demonstrates the continued success of the Welsh Government’s learning programmes” she said. “We are proud to be delivering one of the most successful apprenticeship programmes in Europe with success rates in Wales remaining well above 80 per cent.”

“Developing skilled people is vital for our economy. We have some truly exceptional apprentices here in Wales and the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provide a perfect platform for us to celebrate their hard work and achievements. Equally important are the learning providers and employers who go the extra mile to support their apprentices.”