Cambrian Training has six of the best learners and employers at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru tomorrow (Thursday) night at the International Convention Centre, Wales in Newport.
We send our best wishes to finalists Brød (The Danish Bakery) in Pontcanna, Cardiff and their young baker Rebekah Chatfield, Andrew Bennett from Bryson Recycling, Abergele, Lee Price from Rhayader who works for Powys County Council, Gwesty’r Harbourmaster Hotel, Aberaeron and Radnor Hills, Knighton.
Brød, a Danish bakery and coffee shop, could complete a notable double, as the company and baker Rebekah are finalists in the Small Employer of the Year and Apprentice of the Year categories respectively.
Brød, hasn’t looked back since taking on its first apprentices shortly after the business opened four years ago.
A shortage of skilled bakers and a desire to train employees in Danish artisan baking techniques prompted business founder Betina Skovbro to introduce Foundation Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships in Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills delivered by Cambrian Training. The growing business has two apprentices and reinvests profits.
Rebekah Chatfield has turned her passion for home baking into a full-time job at Brød. The 24-year-old graduate from Abertillery changed career direction after graduating in marine biology. She completed the Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills Apprenticeship and is now considering a Higher Apprenticeship in Food Manufacturing Excellence.
A strong commitment to Apprenticeships has enabled the Gwesty’r Harbourmaster Hotel to maintain a workforce of 40 highly trained and motivated staff. Faced with a hospitality sector skills shortage, the independently owned hotel, bar and restaurant is growing its own skilled staff to deliver quality customer care and visitor experience.
Cambrian Training delivers apprenticeships from Levels 2 to 4 for the hotel, which has 11 apprentices and plans to recruit more in the future. Gwesty’r Harbourmaster Hotel is a finalists in the Small Employer of the Year.
Lee Price had to deal with the devastating death of Rob, her husband of 36 years, just a month after starting her Higher Apprenticeship in Systems and Operations Management.
Support from her colleagues, Powys County Council, Cambrian Training and family encouraged Lee to continue with the qualification, which she completed nine months early. The Senior Quality and Environmental Standards Officer from Rhayader says apprenticeships can transform a person’s knowledge, ability and skills. Lee is a Higher Apprentice of the Year finalist.
Introducing Apprenticeships at award winning spring water and soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills in 2017 had a transformational effect on employees and business growth. The company, which employs 181 staff near Knighton, has seen 20 per cent business growth in the last two years.
Radnor Hills has 53 apprentices across the business with a range of food, team leading and leadership and management qualifications, from Foundation to Higher Apprenticeships. The company is a Medium Employer of the Year finalist.
Andrew Bennett is determined not to let dyslexia and losing his sight in one eye stand in the way of a successful career. The 51-year-old recycling advisor from Abergele has achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship in Sustainable Recycling Activities, is working towards an Apprenticeship and is now mentoring his workmates.
Andrew’s has been rewarded with promotion to acting supervisor with Mochdre and Abergele based Bryson Recycling, which has invested in his training. He is a Foundation Apprentice of the Year finalist.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), this year’s awards have Openreach, the UK’s digital network business, as premier sponsor. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
