Pathways to Apprenticeship winners announced
09/11/2011 Enginuity
Semta has announced the winners of this year's Pathways to Apprenticeship Awards, recognising the young people, colleges and employers behind this innovative Welsh programme that helps young people into work.Pathways to Apprenticeship (PtA) is a Welsh Government funded programme that supports young learners aged between 16 - 24 years of age through an intensive one year training programme so they are pre-trained and ready for companies to hire as productive apprentices.
It's run by Semta, the sector skills council Semta for the science, engineering and manufacturing sectors, and the winners were:
Best College:
Gwent College, Gwent
Gwent is an award winning College in South Wales who successfully placed over 85% of their cohort into Work Based Learning Level 3 Apprenticeships.
Best Company:
Comtek, Deeside, Flintshire, North East Wales
Comtek's core business is the repair and refurbishment of communication and IT equipment.
Best Apprentice:
Tascha Evans, Bridgend College
Tascha has been offered an apprenticeship as a mechanical apprentice with TATA Steel
Runners up
Josh Palmer - Coleg Sir Gar
Luke Jones - British Airways Maintenance Cardiff and Barry College.
Youngsters follow a one year full time intensive FE learning programme, during which they will achieve a full Level 2 Engineering vocational apprenticeship framework as well as the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification so that they will be eligible for accelerated completion of the Apprenticeship with an employer. All learners complete a five week work experience placement with a local company.
Philip Whiteman, Chief Executive of Semta commented: "The PtA programme supports both employers and young people. The scheme ensures learners develop the skills to succeed as an apprentice, and helps businesses hiring them to be more productive and profitable.
"Semta is ideally placed to help employers get a return on investment from apprentices. We have strong employer leadership and a successful track record from innovative programmes, like pathways to apprenticeships, which are fuelling the future essential skills base of the nation."
This year 283 learners took part in the programme and 65 per cent have already successfully gained an apprenticeship. The Awards, which are announced under three categories, are based on evidence submitted by local colleges and are overseen by a Semta judging panel. The winners were announced at an Engineering Employers Federation ceremony, held last week at The Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold, Flintshire.
Semta offers a range of support including funding to employers wanting to gain the benefits of apprenticeships. For further information on Semta support and the Pathways to Apprenticeship programme, please contact Semta customer services on 0845 643 9001.
For further information, please visit: www.semta.org.ukÂ
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