An apprenticeship helped Ffion Lewis find a new career with an award-winning distillery when she returned home to West Wales from New Zealand.
Ffion, 22, was promoted to lead distiller at In the Welsh Wind, based at Tanygroes, near Cardigan after completing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Brewing.
Crediting the work-based learning qualification with improving her confidence, self-esteem and employability, she is now supporting other apprentices within the business.
“I think apprenticeships are really important,” she says. “I had previously worked in a microbiology lab in New Zealand and didn’t have any experience in distilling before doing my apprenticeship. I was really happy to find a job at In the Welsh Wind when I returned to West Wales.”
Having played a key role in the development of whiskey making at In the Welsh Wind, Ffion has progressed to a leadership qualification with Chwarae Teg Women’s Career Development Programme.
She joined the company as an apprentice distiller on her return from New Zealand where she lived for three years. With a background in laboratory work, she says the job was perfect for her.
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
