A motivated, trained and ambitious team has been created as a result of an apprenticeship programme that has been running for nine years at Wales’ famous five star Celtic Manor Resort, near Newport.
Over the past five years, the resort has recruited 386 apprentices and currently employs 119 within a range of disciplines throughout the business. It has won several accolades linked to its apprenticeship programme.
Now the Celtic Manor Resort is one of the companies shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. The company will be competing to become Large Employer of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.
Thirty star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
The awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.
The Celtic Manor Resort recognised that it needed a five star team in order to provide a five star experience for its guests. It established an in-house learning and development team and works with training providers, including Cambrian Training Company, on its frameworks.
Tracy Israel, head of learning and development at the Celtic Manor, said: “The apprenticeship programme supports the business mission of growing our own talent by nurturing a positive hospitality mind set and ensuring that each employee acquires the correct skillset aligned to AA standards.”
The resort currently provides 17 frameworks, ranging from Foundation Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships in Business and Administration to a level 2 in Sports Turf for its golf course.
The resort has recently launched a brand new, two-year Hotel and Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme which will recruit three times a year.
As well as having access to a portfolio of additional learning, via workshops and e-learning, apprentices also access an internal app which allows them to communicate and connect.
Chris Bason, of Cambrian Training Company, said: “The introduction of e-learning platforms and apps for the sole use of staff development and communications is amazing.”
Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating the Celtic Manor on being shortlisted for an award, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales.
“These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”
