X
Awards celebrates excellence and outstanding achievements The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have exceeded expectations in the delivery of quality apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes The Apprenticeship Awards, held at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 31, reminded us of the incredible wealth of talent that our country has to offer. There has been an unprecedented level of interest in this year’s awards, with the number of entries at a record high. Among the finalists are some truly exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace, as well as learning providers and employers who have gone the extra mile in supporting their apprentices and
businesses they are working with. Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James, said: “With T support from the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund, we offer a wide range of skills training spread across Wales and the awards is an opportunity to celebrate the success of this provision. “Those who start on a Jobs Growth Wales, Apprenticeship or Traineeship have taken an important T step in grasping the opportunity to improve their life chances, and the key to opening doors in the future.
“As Deputy Minister for Skills and T Technology, I am committed to giving the right support to deliver the best possible education and training for all our young people and this will continue to be a key focus for us. “A well-educated population helps to improve the economy and, therefore, improve the quality of life for the people of Wales. “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all finalists and winners in each category – your achievements over the past 12 months should be an inspiration
to others. “Learning is not about standing still, it is about continually improving, growing and aspiring. “The Apprenticeship Award winners show that through dedication to learning you can build your skills, and progress on to other things.”
HIGHER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR DEVON SUMNER
Devon close to achieving career dream at Airbus UK Devon Sumner took the decision not to complete a product-design degree course at Leeds University because she realised her true vocation was to become an aeronautical engineer, a dream she is close to achieving with Airbus UK. And now, 23-year-old Devon has a CV to be proud of. She has met the Queen at Buckingham Palace, taken Prime Minister David Cameron on a tour of her workplace and appeared on breakfast TV. But more importantly, working with Airbus, Coleg Cambria and Glyndwˆr University, she has a string of qualifications that include a distinction in her foundation
degree in aeronautical engineering and an NVQ Level 4 in engineering leadership. Later this year she should complete her first-class bachelor’s degree with honours in aeronautical engineering (manufacture) and achieve incorporated engineering status with the Royal Aeronautical Society. In addition, Devon won the Ede & Ravenscroft Prize for top marks across all foundation degree programmes at Glyndwˆr University and was awarded the national EEF Outstanding Achievement Award. On a practical level, Devon is working in a team looking to save £275,000 annually on the Airbus super jumbo through a more
compliant bolting process. She has also been appointed to a forum developing relationships between apprentices, graduates and the senior leadership team. This has led Devon to head an international team of apprentices during an intercultural programme in Toulouse. T Devon said: “I believe myself to be a great ambassador both for apprentices and women in engineering. Undertaking a higher apprenticeship at Broughton has encouraged me to take on new challenges both professionally and personally, including running a half-marathon and buying my own home.”