Celebrating success at our annual apprenticeship awards

The 2022/23 annual apprenticeship awards were held again this year, celebrating the very best of our talented group of apprentices.

Apprenticeships have always been a popular option at Coleg Gwent and this year has been no exception, with approximately 650 apprentices enrolled on a variety of qualifications, from construction to catering. Through an apprenticeship students can gain real-world experience on the job, work towards a recognised qualification, and get paid while studying.

The annual awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work of our apprentices and recognise their achievements, helping to inspire the next cohort of hopeful apprentices. This year students, their employers, parents and Coleg Gwent staff enjoyed an exciting evening at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran, with the presentation of awards followed by a delicious buffet.

With hundreds of students currently studying apprenticeships with Coleg Gwent, the awards were highly competitive. Nominations were received from both assessors and employers and it’s wonderful to hear about the brilliant contributions that our apprentices are already making to their companies.

Two of the awards, focusing on essential skills, were sponsored by Mark Harding, Head of Skills at Coleg Gwent. These awards recognise the importance of Maths and English skills within the apprenticeship framework and the students who have performed exceptionally well in this area.

The remaining awards were sponsored by the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales, with The Master John Charles presenting awards on the night. Delivering a short speech to attendees he noted that “apprenticeships are fundamental to sustaining this country” and how pleased he was to see that “the value of apprenticeships seems to be being recognised once again”.

College Governors, Mark Langshaw and Andrew Clark were also in attendance to see the learners awarded their certificates.

Mark said: “It’s a pleasure for Andrew and I to be able to come along to today’s awards and celebrate the success of our students. Apprenticeships have significant value to employers, students and the community as a whole.”

The full list of winners from the awards are:

Mechanical Engineering Maintenance – Apprentice of the Year: Ben Hamilton
Highly Commended: Harry Hoskins

Electrical Engineering Maintenance – Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Furmage

Service Sector (Hospitality and Health and Social Care) – Apprentice of the Year: Geraint Booth

Construction Apprentice of the Year: Brychan Loch
Highly Commended: Aaron Tidball and Scott Webber

Manufacturing and Construction Engineering (Electrical Installation/Electro technical and Welding) – Apprentice of the Year: Jordan Price

Motor Industry (MV and VBR) – Apprentice of the Year: Joshua Warren

Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Duane Richards

‘Foundation Apprentice’ ESW Apprentice of the Year: Ellis Channing

‘Apprentice’ ESW Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Bulpin

Overall Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Katie Hall

Overall Apprentice of the Year: Caleb Davies

Find out more about studying an apprenticeship at Coleg Gwent or about the benefits of taking on an apprentice at your business.