Top training award winners revealed

Two Montgomeryshire apprentices have taken top spots at a national training awards, along with a local training provider.

Dale Price from Bradleys Garage, Caersws, was a finalist in the Traineeship Learner of the Year (Level 1) category at the National Training Awards and Apprenticeship Awards, while Steven Owen, 19, head chef at The Bull and Heifer, Bettws Cedewain, Newtown, scooped the Apprentice of the Year at the event held last night (Weds) at Venue Cymru, in Llandudno, North Wales.

The Cambrian Training Company of Welshpool took the Training Provider of the Year Award.

The prestigious National Training Awards and Apprenticeship Awards brought together the cream of learners, employers and training providers, who have shown total dedication and commitment to skills development and business improvement across Wales.

Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales, the joint awards were organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). The Apprenticeship Awards were sponsored by Pearson and the National Training Awards were sponsored by City & Guilds.

The National Training Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of employers who have Investors in People accreditation and who have used
excellence in training and skills development to impact on their business. The awards were split into categories for small, medium and large companies.

The Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes across Wales, which are part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

In the Apprenticeship Awards, the Apprentice of the Year was Steven Owen who is making a name for himself as head chef at The Bull and Heifer, Bettws Cedewain, Newtown. The restaurant is so popular that customers booking well in advance to sample his cooking.

A finalist in the Traineeship Learner of the Year (Level 1) category was Dale Price, from Llanidloes, who works for Bradley’s Garage, Caersws and did his traineeship with Powys Training, Llandrindod Wells.

Entrepreneurial Apprentice of the Year was Gavin Zembrzuski, 23, owner of TAG-Z, Llandrindod Wells, who overcame dyslexia to achieve an Apprenticeship in Fabrication and Welding and has now set up a successful business selling products across the UK and exporting to Europe.

Winner of the Apprenticeship Provider of the Year award was Cambrian Training Company, a business with a clear mission to be the best work based learning provider in Wales. With 36 employees and offices in Welshpool, Holyhead, Aberaeron and Brecon, the company has developed strong relationships with employers and apprentices by delivering high quality, flexible training solutions to businesses of all sizes.

The National Training Award for a large employer went to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service which helped improve emergency responses and saved almost £20,000 in training fees by reviewing training for newly-promoted crew managers.The service found it difficult to secure part-time staff, which had an impact on its ability to respond effectively to emergency calls.

The review identified the need to train more crew managers and update their development programme. Of the 78 candidates enrolled, 22 have completed the course with a saving
of approximately £900 per candidate.

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert said irrespective of whether or not they collected an award, all 37 finalists were winners. Each had an inspiring story to tell, making them true ambassadors of Investors in People, Apprenticeships and other skills development programmes in Wales.

“These awards recognise excellence by individuals, employers and learning providers in delivering training,” he added. “I was delighted with the standard of this year’s finalists and the variety across all ages and sectors, which demonstrates the strength of the skills being delivered in Wales.”

Wynne Roberts, NTfW chairman, said: “The award finalists are excellent examples of a partnership approach to skills development in Wales involving the Welsh Government, employers, apprentices, trainees and providers working together to deliver a high quality, high performing workforce. They are ambassadors who I am sure will champion skills programmes as one of the solutions for economic recovery.”

The National Training Award winners were:
Small Employer: Anthony A. Davies Group, Abergavenny.
Medium Employer: Utility Partnership Ltd, Cardiff.
Large Employer: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Carmarthen.
Highly commended were COASTAL E3 Project, Swansea; TRB Limited, St
Asaph, Pennaf Housing Group, St Asaph and RCT Homes, Pontypridd.

The Apprenticeship Award winners were:
Apprentice of the Year: Steven Owen, 19, head chef at The Bull and
Heifer, Bettws Cedewain, Newtown.
Entrepreneurial Apprentice of the Year: Gavin Zembrzuski, owner of
TAG-Z, Llandrindod Wells.
Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Nik Petrakis, co-owner of
nickymichaels, Cyncoed, Cardiff.
Small Employer of the Year: Eastern Leisure Centre, Cardiff
Medium Employer of the Year: Tritech Precision Products, Wrexham.
Large Employer of the Year: SA Brain and Co Ltd, Cardiff
Macro Employer of the Year: BT, Cardiff.
Apprenticeship Provider of the Year: Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool.
Steps to Employment Learner of the Year: Katrina Kind, The New
Cranford, Colwyn Bay.
Traineeships Learner of the Year (Engagement): Natasha Fenton, Tint
Wizard, Neath.
Traineeships Learner of the Year (Level 1): Alex Dawe, West Coast Labs, Cardiff.