Three Promotions for Determined Higher Apprentice Megan

Megan Hession’s determination to succeed in the healthcare sector has seen her complete a Higher Apprenticeship six months ahead of schedule and gain three promotions from her employer within two years.

At the age of 24, she manages two supported living houses, a large group of service users and staff teams for Caerphilly-based Montana Healthcare, which supports adults with a variety of complex needs.

Now she has been recognised as one of Wales’ star learners by being shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. She will be competing to become Higher Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20.

Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.

Thirty star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

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

The awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.

Megan, from Llanishen, Cardiff, joined the company in 2015 as a support worker, having achieved a degree in Business Management and an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 4 Certificate in Management. 

She quickly achieved a level 3 Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care Services and progressed to a Higher Apprenticeship at level 5, which she completed this summer with ACT Training, despite requiring major surgery.

Megan is now mentoring five staff members on apprenticeship programmes and ACT Training has filmed her as a Higher Apprenticeship recruitment campaign ambassador.

Megan said: “I have worked extremely hard to complete my training, but not just for the sake of gaining a qualification. Everything I have done has been for service users we support, my team and Montana Healthcare. The training I have undertaken has enabled me to make a positive impact.”

Bev Wade, Montana Healthcare’s locality manager, said: “We are extremely proud of Megan who is a bright, talented and highly caring individual with good communication skills and good value base, making her perfect for our company.”

Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating Megan on being shortlisted for an award, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.

“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales.

“These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”