Pembrokeshire College, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1SZ

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B-wbl Consortium Celebrates Outstanding Achievements

Haidar (left) and Daniel (right) holding their trophies in front of a silver sparkly background

On Friday 7 June, the B-wbl Consortium hosted their prestigious Annual Apprenticeship and JGW+ Learner Awards at the Tower Hotel in Swansea. The event celebrated the remarkable success, dedication, and high-level skills of learners completing Apprenticeship and Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) programmes within the B-wbl Consortium Provider Network.

The evening was a grand recognition of the hard work and achievements of the learners, with 25 outstanding individuals shortlisted across nine distinct categories. The winners on the night were:

  • JGW+ Engagement Learner of the Year: Rebecca Jones (Coleg Sir Gar)
  • JGW+ Advancement Learner of the Year: Megan Elliot (PRP Training)
  • JGW+ Employability Learner of the Year (Special Recognition Award): Cerys Dean (PRP Training)
  • Welsh Language Award: Katie Topliss (TSW Training)
  • Inspiration Use of Welsh Language: Ahmed Abdul Rahim (Cymru Care Training)
  • Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Haidar Sharr (Pembrokeshire College)
  • Level 3 Apprentice of the Year: Gemma Phillips (HB Training)
  • Higher Apprentice of Year: Steven Hughes (TSW Training)
  • Tomorrow’s Talent: Daniel Goddard (Pembrokeshire College)

Foundation Apprentice of the Year Haidar Sharr expressed his delight at winning the award, “I was delighted and honoured to receive the B-wbl Award.  I have greatly appreciated the educational opportunities I have experienced in Wales and they will allow me to repay the welcome I have received by contributing to the economic growth of the area through my role as an engineer in a local manufacturing company.  I wish every success to my fellow students at Pembrokeshire College.”

Haidar joined the College from Syria in 2017 and on arrival spoke very little English. Fast forward and he is now fluent in both English and Welsh. Alongside his apprenticeship at Consort in Milford Haven, he has his own middle eastern catering service that he manages on the weekend.

Tomorrow’s Talent winner Daniel Goddard joined in celebrating his achievement, “I am delighted to have won this award. Helping young people achieve their prospects and dreams is vital along with raising their self-esteem and worth and that is and always has been my focus. Hopefully I can inspire them to reach those goals and show them anything is possible.”

The awards were a testament to the learners’ commitment to their personal and professional development. The ceremony highlighted the crucial role of apprenticeships and training programmes in fostering talent and providing valuable skills to the workforce.

“The second B-wbl Awards Ceremony was a fantastic success, showcasing the fantastic achievement of many learners. The consortium delivers training to over 5000 apprentices and JGW+ trainees, spread across 17 out of the 22 local authorities in Wales. It is a great event to acknowledge the work of the learners and staff and the support from families and employers. We wish all our learners every success for the future,” said Dave Evans, Assistant Principal at Pembrokeshire College.

“The B-wbl Awards evening was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the incredible achievements and success stories of our learners. They are all an inspiration and a credit to their families, friends, employers, assessors, and providers. We couldn’t be prouder of them,” added Berni Tyler, Director of Consortium.

“We are incredibly proud of all the learners who have shown exceptional dedication and skill throughout their Apprenticeship and JGW+ programmes,” added a spokesperson for the B-wbl Consortium. “Their achievements are a reflection of the high-quality training and support provided by our network, and we are delighted to celebrate their success.”

The event was attended by learners, their families, training providers, and key stakeholders from across the region. It served not only as a celebration of individual accomplishments but also as an inspiration for future learners to strive for excellence in their educational and career pursuits.

The B-wbl Consortium extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees and looks forward to continuing to support the growth and development of learners across Wales.

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