Resilient Emily Aiming To Become A Nursery Nurse  

Emily Wintle is one determined young lady who has overcome many knockbacks on the way to becoming a valued member of St Aubin Nursery, Cowbridge.

With Emily’s hard work and the support of ACT Training in Bridgend, she completed her Level 1 Childcare Traineeship in a record time of three months with both the trainer and her employer understanding her difficulties.

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 Traineeship Learner of the Year (Level 1) 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.

Emily, who lives in Llanharry, is severely dyslexic and requires a lot of extra support to learn new skills. She was statemented throughout school, where she was stigmatised for having learning difficulties and felt isolated which affected her self-esteem and confidence.

Despite a lot of hard work and pressure, 18-year-old Emily struggled to gain the four GCSEs she needed for a college course in her dream career of musical theatre. After lots of knockbacks with employers not understanding her needs, Emily found herself a placement in childcare and has not looked back. 

She is now working full time and undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship in Childcare, with an Apprenticeship pencilled in for next year.

Jayne McGill-Harris, of ACT Training, said: “Rarely do we come across such a headstrong individual, who, no matter what happens, will never give up. She is an amazing learner and a tough, resilient young lady.”

Emily said: “Hard work and dedication has paid off. I am more determined than ever to reach my goal of becoming a nursery nurse.”

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