Award for Powys Recycling team

Powys County Council’s Waste and Recycling Department was named 2019 Large Employer of the Year at the third Cambrian Training Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards held at the International Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells.

The department has been investing in its work-based learning programmes for more than 40 years and currently has 31 apprentices with the regional authority providing a career path right through to senior management.

“Powys County Council has been providing apprenticeships since 1978 as I was one myself back then!” said Ian Harris, Senior Manager. “We are a big promoter of investing in apprenticeship training and very much believe in Richard Branson’s statement to ‘look after your staff and the staff will look after your business’.

“Powys County Council believes in building careers through apprenticeship training for our employees and developing their skills set, so we are grateful to Cambrian Training for the excellent work they do with us to develop our team.”

Fifteen companies and learners from across Wales who are engaged with programmes delivered by Cambrian Training Company were shortlisted, with Managing Director, Arwyn Watkins OBE, describing them as the “cream of the crop” from more than 2,500 apprentices and 600 employers currently working with their support.

“Nothing gives us greater pride than being able to recognise excellence so I would like to congratulate all who have been nominated, and particularly the winners,” said Arwyn. “The finalists are the cream of the crop and provide inspiring stories that show just how successful apprenticeship programmes are being implemented across Wales.”

Winners of each category will have the chance to be put forward for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which are jointly organised by the National Training Federation for Wales and the Welsh Government later this year.

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

Cambrian Training Company is one of Wales’ leading training providers with offices in Welshpool, Llanelli, Builth Wells, Holyhead and Colwyn Bay.

2019 Winners

Large Employer of the Year: Powys County Council’s Waste and Recycling Department

Medium Employer of the Year: Radnor Hills, Knighton

Small Employer of the Year: Brød – The Danish Bakery, Cardiff

Foundation Learner of the Year: Andrew Bennett, Bryson Recycling, Abergele

Apprentice of the Year: Rebekah Chatfield, Brød – The Danish Bakery, Cardiff

Higher Apprentice of the Year: Angharad Price-Evans, Stena Line, Holyhead

PICTURE: Ian Harris from Powys County Council, winners of the Large Employer of the Year Award, with Arwyn Watkins OBE (Managing Director, Cambrian Training) and Training Officer, Heather Martin.