Finalist Ros is Dedicated to Changing Lives of Learners

Changing the lives of her learners is the ethos to which Ros Smith has dedicated herself over 23 years of people training.

As lead motor vehicle tutor at ACT Training in Cardiff, Ros is part of the team that shapes and delivers Level 1 and Engagement Motor Vehicle Traineeships at 10 sites across South Wales, primarily in two fully-operational garages.

Although Ros has developed two streams of curriculum for Level 1 and Engagement, she will adapt, flex and make changes to ensure each young learner has the best experience.

Now she has been shortlisted as one of the stars of this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. She will be competing to become Work-based Learning Assessor of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20th.

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.

Over the past two years, Ros has helped transform the Motor Vehicle Traineeship at ACT; 96% of learners progress to further learning or employment where nationally a 90% progression is classed as excellent.

In a predominantly male environment, Ros has become a great role model to young women entering the profession and to young women across the organisation.

Ros, who lives in Pontypridd, always goes the extra mile, completing training on perception, transactional analysis, psycho linguistics and emotional intelligence so she can better understand her learners. She has also built relationships with major garages and independents who now take on her learners.She said: “I’m always planning new activities that will help carve a better future for my learners.”

Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating Ros 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.”