Annual Impact Report 2024-25

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Network Impact Report 24/25

acttraining.org.uk

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At ACT, improving lives through learning remains not just our mantra but the lived experience of thousands of learners. This year we focused on quality, efficiency, happiness and growth and our achievements were made possible by the collaborative efforts of staff, learners, employers and partners.

Richard Spear, Managing Director

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A year of impact, innovation, and opportunities for all The 2024–2025 year has been one of progress for the ACT Network despite a challenging climate. As Wales’ largest training provider and a proud member of the Cardiff and Vale College Group we have supported thousands of learners across our Apprenticeships, Jobs Growth Wales+ and Schools provisions, as well as alongside our sister company, ALS. With a £27 million Apprenticeship budget and over £17 million for JGW+, our scale reflects the breadth of our impact.

This year, guided by our purpose of improving lives through learning, ACT strengthened its focus on quality, efficiency, happiness and growth, delivering strong outcomes for learners, employers and communities.

Investment in teaching quality, learner wellbeing, digital innovation and staff development has driven improvement across the network, while new qualifications and employer collaborations have ensured our offer continues to evolve in line with regional and national skills needs.

This report showcases our commitment to create brighter futures for learners, strengthen the Welsh workforce and contribute positively to the communities we serve.

This year we’ve supported

10,000

APPRENTICESHIP LEARNERS

3,000 JOBS GROWTH WALES+ LEARNERS

2,000 EMPLOYERS

60+ SCHOOLS LEARNERS

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Growth In a period where the education and skills landscape in Wales continues to shift, ACT has remained steadfast in its commitment to improving lives through learning.

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This report highlights not just our impact in numbers but the stories of what our learners achieved, what our teams delivered, and how, together, we are shaping brighter futures across Wales.

More than 13,300 learners engaged with us this year, a scale that speaks not only to the breadth of our provisions but to the trust learners and organisations place in our teams.

Alongside ACT’s established routes, we also launched new qualifications in subjects such as User Centred Design, CIPD, Data Analytics, and British Sign Language. These new qualifications enable ACT to meet the rapidly developing needs of businesses and communities.

Across the network, the impact is clear - learners feel valued, seen and supported. In our Learner Voice Survey, an overwhelming majority of learners reported being happy with their provider, recommended ACT to others, and felt supported throughout their programme.

This is an endorsement of the empathic and collaborative culture fostered within ACT.

ETHAN SMITH, JGW+ LEARNER

When Ethan Smith joined the Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) programme in 2023, hairdressing wasn’t even on his radar. But just over a year later, he’s thriving in a salon that he describes as his “forever fit,” progressing through a Level 2 apprenticeship and planning for a long-term career in the industry.

Read the full story here

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Quality Quality sits at the heart of our work, and this year the ACT Network continued to demonstrate strong performance across Apprenticeships, Schools and Jobs Growth Wales+.

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Estyn visits across all provisions highlighted a culture of ambition, collaboration and high expectations.

Inspectors praised ACT’s strong leadership, robust safeguarding arrangements and inclusive practice — noting particularly the support in place for learners with additional needs and the reflective, trauma-informed environment embedded within ACT Schools.

Alongside ACT’s established routes, we also launched new qualifications in subjects such as User Centred Design, CIPD, Data Analytics, and British Sign Language. These new qualifications enable ACT to meet the rapidly developing needs of businesses and communities.

Across the network, the impact is clear - learners feel valued, seen and supported. In our Learner Voice Survey, an overwhelming majority of learners reported being happy with their provider, recommended ACT to others, and felt supported throughout their programme.

This is an endorsement of the empathic and collaborative culture fostered within ACT.

RAMSAY & WHITE has recently welcomed two permanent members of staff to their administrative team after JGW+ learners, Seren and Tate, showcased their hard work on placement with the company. The additions are especially important for Head of Admin at Ramsay & White, Rachel Morley, who is a former JGW+ learner herself and who jumped at the opportunity to support learners beginning their career.

Read the full story here

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In the 2024/2025 period, ACT has shown its commitment to innovative learning and learner enrichment.

We unveiled a new state-of-the-art beauty and hair salon at Ocean Park House and brand new gym at Hadfield Road.

ACT learners also undertook driving lessons with Young Drivers, collaborated with Down to Earth on a sustainability and reuse project, and renovated an air stream with Bad Wolf Studios.

Construction learners were invited to complete a dump truck training course, while learners from our Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly tried their hand at latte art by completing a new barista qualification.

ACT has also implemented emerging technologies to support teaching and learning.

Bodyswaps has been rolled out through our Jobs Growth Wales+ provision, supporting learners undertaking mock interviews through VR environments and AI interviewers.

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ACT and its network also hosted its own learner awards - Success Through Skills - which received over 140 nominations.

At a glittering award ceremony within Cardiff and Vale College, learners, employers, training providers and tutors who have helped promote work-based learning were celebrated.

ACT has also launched its own generative AI literacy training across its partner network to support staff with its use in practice.

Further VR resources are being created in our new salon, using software from a Welsh startup called Virtus Tech.

The awards recognised the dedication and hard work of those undertaking work-based learning in Wales as well as highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and the teams who deliver them.

ACCOUNTANCY APPRENTICES, GARETH WILLIAMS AND JESSICA POOLE were amongst a wave of Welsh learners who dominated at the WorldSkills UK National Finals last November. The duo took bronze at the competition – the result of many months of hard work and progressing throughout local and regional stages.

Read the full story here

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Happiness & Engagement Happiness and Engagement at ACT is rooted in a culture of care, trust and inclusion for both learners and staff. ACT invests in its people, reflected in national recognition as a top employer, strengthened leadership, meaningful wellbeing initiatives and fair reward.

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Safeguarding is not simply a compliance requirement at ACT, it is embedded in everything we do. This year saw an increase in safeguarding referrals across Apprenticeships and JGW+, reflecting that learners feel safe enough to speak up.

Mental health challenges, family disruption and substance misuse remain the most common concerns, mirroring patterns seen nationally. ACT’s teams respond — with compassion, consistency and commitment.

New Prevent resources were created, external referral pathways were strengthened, learners can access immediate support and resources such as counselling and financial advice via a new app, and staff continued to engage in training that builds confidence in supporting vulnerable learners.

In JGW+, wellbeing sessions and supportive small groups helped learners navigate anxiety, isolation and life challenges. For one learner, attending the Wellbeing Group became the turning point — helping them reconnect with peers, re-engage with learning and eventually progress into further learning.

In Schools, the trauma-informed model continued to prove powerful, with learners benefiting from routines, reflective spaces and relationships built on trust.

Safeguarding at ACT is ultimately about recognising the challenges young people face and ensuring they do not face them alone.

We are thrilled to be recognised as the 15th most inclusive workplace in the UK, a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication and hard work of our colleagues across ACT. REBECCA COOPER, HEAD OF PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT

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ACT is built on the dedication, expertise and compassion of its staff, and this year their commitment has been recognised nationally.

ACT was named This achievement is a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team.

From senior leaders to managers and employees — who continually strive to make ACT a fantastic place to work.

Rebecca Cooper - Head of People & Development on ACT’s Best Companies achievement.

a testament to the strong culture of support, collaboration and inclusion across the organisation.

The launch of the People Platform a fully integrated People and Development system, and the launch of a purpose-built intranet, Calon,

have strengthened communication and created seamless access to training, resources and support.

But ACT also recognises, wellbeing is more than just perks.

In 2024 we launched a new performance and development process embedding wellbeing into management practice, made significant investments in staff training and provided a

5.5% cost-of-living award for all staff

all of which supports our integrated wellbeing strategy. This recognition reflects significant investment in staff development and wellbeing.

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Wellbeing remains a central priority.

From yoga sessions to painting workshops, breakfast buffets to dance classes, ACT has created spaces where staff can connect, decompress and recharge.

Charity and fostering a sense of community has also remained a priority for ACT, with staff supporting many inspiring organisations this year. Including:

Tackling a muddy run

raising £657 for Cancer Research

Staying silent every Tuesday for a month These moments of care and celebration contribute to a workplace where people feel valued — and where their wellbeing is seen as essential, not optional.

Following extensive staff feedback, ACT introduced a

raising £1,025 for Cerebral Palsy Cymru

Baking up a storm for Macmillan

bringing in more than £486

Management Development Programme and teeing off for a charity golf day

raising £4,864 for Bowel Cancer UK

ensuring managers across the organisation are equipped to lead with empathy, clarity and confidence.

We’re very grateful to our friends at ACT & ALS for choosing to support us and our life-saving work at this event.

It was a brilliant day that gave so many people affected by bowel cancer a chance to rally together, enjoy some golf and raise funds.

Michael Locke, Wales fundraising manager at Bowel Cancer UK

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Efficiency In a year where efficiency became increasingly crucial, the ACT Network focused on streamlining processes that directly benefit learners. Behind the scenes, teams worked tirelessly to simplify administrative demands, speed up onboarding and integrate digital tools that make learning more accessible and engaging.

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This year, ACT continued to use 100% renewable energy, invested in energy-efficient upgrades, and maintained its Environmental Management System, supporting ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

ACT’s sustainability efforts were recognised with ISO 14001 accreditation, following the development of a successful Environmental Management System within the organisation. At the time of accreditation, ACT was the only Welsh Government-funded training provider to hold such status.

Despite a challenging external environment and continued pressure on public funding, ACT maintained a strong and stable financial position throughout 2024–25. Our ability to remain resilient, while continuing to prioritise the needs of our learners and staff, reflects a disciplined approach to cost management alongside a sustained commitment to impact.

This year, ACT generated a turnover of £46.0 million, a slight decrease of 3.4% compared to the previous year, mirroring sector-wide pressures linked to Welsh Government funding reductions. Through careful planning, close monitoring of spending, and efficiencies implemented at the end of 2023–24 (including a voluntary redundancy programme), the organisation protected frontline services while absorbing increased costs across the sector.

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Looking ahead The 2024-2025 year has been an incredibly prosperous one for our learners, partners, staff, and the organisation as a whole. While we have had many successes, the year has also allowed us to lay the foundations for further developments that we are already seeing be put into action as we head into the new year.

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Our dedication to staff happiness and engagement, as well as our commitment to improvement, has meant an even stronger Best Companies result, with ACT now ranking 26th Best Company to work for in the UK, and 5th best in Wales.

ACT’s drive to foster connections and engage with potential learners has led to the implementation of our ACT Roadshow, when we parked up in Barry, Cardiff and Ebbw Vale to meet local people and dispel the myths of work-based learning.

ACT has also continued to emphasise the importance of collaboration through the development and launch of its Employer Pledge.

The Employer Pledge allows organisations to commit to offering job placements and work experience to Jobs Growth Wales+ learners.

For employers, it’s a cost-free way to discover new talent and build a pipeline of future employees. For learners, it is a potentially life-changing experience and a foot in the door to dream careers.

Since its launch in the summer, 37 Welsh businesses have signed the pledge and 282 learners are currently on placement within local businesses.

As we move into the year ahead, we do so with a continued focus on growth, quality, efficiency, and the happiness and engagement of our learners, staff and partners. Through these aims we move forward in creating more opportunities, strengthening the communities we serve and improving lives through learning.

acttraining.org.uk