Award-winning learning provider Cambrian Training Company has demonstrated successful partnership working to get butchery adopted as a WorldSkills UK National Competition for the first time this year.
Now the innovative Welshpool-based company is in contention to win a major award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2015. The company is one of two finalists in the Provider Award for Partnership Working category at the high profile awards ceremony to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Thursday, October 29.
The coveted awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have exceeded expectations, shown a dynamic approach to training and demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation, creativity and commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and media partner is Media Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Cambrian Training Company has brought together key players from across the meat industry and training sector to establish the new competition, which has included heats in Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
These heats resulted in six butchers qualifying for the final to be held at The Skills Show in Birmingham in November.
Having taken Welsh butchery apprentices to demonstrate their skills at the Skills Show every year since 2011, Cambrian Training Company was keen to add the vocation to WorldSkills to raise the profile of skilful butchers across the UK.
The company, as organising partner, successfully applied to Find a Future, who are responsible for the WorldSkills competition portfolio and butchery was one of only three new competitions selected from a list of 18.
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“We felt that butchery should be represented to further support and develop learners and trainers, create awareness about the skills, careers and vocational qualifications available to future generations and to raise the profile of the industry to a wider audience on a national platform,” said competition co-ordinator Katy Godsell, Cambrian Training Company’s marketing manager.
In addition to the new competition, the company also organises the annual Welsh Young Butcher contest.
Winner of the Learning Provider of the Year in the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2012, Cambrian Training Company has a workforce of 52 and delivers Apprenticeship frameworks ranging from hospitality to sustainable resource management.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James congratulated Cambrian Training Company and the other 36 award finalists. “We have some truly exceptional apprentices here in Wales and the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provide a perfect platform for us to celebrate their hard work and achievements,” she said.
“Equally important are the training providers and employers who go the extra mile to support their apprentices. Developing skilled young people is vital for our economy. The Welsh Government is committed to training programmes such as Apprenticeships but investment must be a shared responsibility with the education sector, businesses and individuals.”
Picture caption:
Apprentice Arwyn Morris practices his skills watched by (from left) Cambrian Training Company’s marketing manager Katy Godsell, managing director Arwyn Watkins and head of curriculum for food manufacture Chris Jones.
For further information contact Duncan Foulkes on Tel: 01686 650818 or 07779 785451 or email: duncan.foulkes@btinternet.com or Karen Smith, NTfW communications and marketing manager, on Tel: 02920 495861
