News Story
Oct 2018 / News
A ‘treasured tutor’ is how ACT Training describes Kirsty Keane and it is easy to see why they hold her in such high esteem.
Working with 16-18-year-olds as a Health and Social Care and Early Years Care tutor since 2015, Kirsty has successfully supported 91 learners through a Level 1 Traineeship in Care with a 100% progression rate, an outstanding achievement at Traineeship level.
This progression can be attributed to Kirsty making time for her learners, listening to their hopes, dreams and fears, at the same time planning unique learner experiences that exceed expectations for people often with complex needs and barriers.
Now her dedication to her learners has been recognised as she has been shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. She will be competing to become Work-based Learning Tutor and Assessor of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on November 9.
The annual 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.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are supported by media partner, Media Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Thirty star employers, learners and learning providers from across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
Still aged only 26, Kirsty has 10 years’ experience as a disability support worker and one to one learning support worker. Her personal development is outstanding with a PGCE Post-16, BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Students and Educations and Cache Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education.
Her passion for innovation has seen her attend a seminar on singing for dementia, bringing in a subject expert to lecture her students which in turn led to improvement in ACT’s best practice.
Kirsty also arranged a Golden Oldies afternoon of fun at ACT where Hair and Beauty, Catering and Care learners all gained practical and valuable experience.
ACT marketing and PR manager Jayne McGill-Harris said of Kirsty: “She is a passionate, caring and supportive individual whose delivery approach, best practice and success has helped to strengthen our other programmes.”
Kirsty said: “My real reward is seeing my learner’s progress onto something enjoyable and meaningful.”
Congratulating Kirsty on being shortlisted for an award, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Eluned Morgan said: “Apprenticeship Awards Cymru showcase the success of the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeships and Traineeships Programmes and the achievements of our star apprentices, employers, learning providers and trainees.
“Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to gain valuable skills and experience while earning a wage and for employers to ensure their workforce has the skills to future proof a business.
“Increasing higher level skills and developing skills pathways that benefit the whole of Wales have never been more important.”
