Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013 by Trinity Mirror, North West & North Wales

Awards celebrate 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 awards ceremony, held at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 18, recognised the incredible wealth of talent that Wales has to offer. Award winners demonstrate initiative, enterprise, creativity and a real commitment to improving skills required for a successful and prosperous Welsh economy. This year, from a record number of applications, 36 learners, employers and training providers from across Wales were selected by a panel of judges before the 13 worthy winners

were announced. The awards ceremony simply conﬁrms that apprenticeships are the gold standard in vocational training for young people and play an integral role in our economy. Not only do they provide essential skills and qualiﬁcations, but are in themselves life-changing opportunities for young people and, for employers, a major investment that’s paying real dividends to their bottom line and in the skills of their workforce. Deputy Minister for Skills and

Technology, Ken Skates said: “I’d like to congratulate all winners and finalists and wish them all the very best as they continue to make great contributions in their chosen fields. We know that apprenticeships deliver real benefits. That’s why the Welsh Government, with support from the European Social Fund, continues to invest heavily in opportunities throughout Wales for young people to take up apprenticeships and continues to support employers who want to recruit apprentices.

“In our recent budget announcement, the Minister for Finance, Jane Hutt, conﬁrmed an additional £12.5m to extend our Jobs Growth Wales programme for a fourth year. This means that we can create more than 4,000 extra job opportunities for 16-24 year olds in 2015-16. The Welsh Government will also be investing a further £20m in 2015/16 to support apprenticeships. This is excellent news for our young people and our employers and will allow us to make a real difference.”

HIGHER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR ALEX BIRBECK

Airbus career inspires apprentice Alex Marvelling at how engineering has made such an impact in day-today life, Airbus apprentice Alex Birbeck wanted a career that would inspire him to be innovative and creative. So he applied to become an apprentice at one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers. Deliberating between a route through university or an apprenticeship programme, he took the latter as he felt the prospects would be much more rewarding, opting for a Higher Engineering Apprenticeship. “Not only could I gain an invaluable experience working with one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, but also I would

have opportunities that very few others could say they had,” said Alex. “For me personally the main opportunity was to work with and learn from experienced engineers who were experts in their ﬁeld. This was something that was just not accessible through the university route.” Alex took up the apprenticeship after successfully attaining his A-levels and has achieved NVQ Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations, Level 4 in Engineering Leadership, Essential Skills Level 3 and a foundation degree from learning provider, Glyndwˆ r University.

He has not looked back, working in several teams within Airbus and making personal contributions to projects such as Long Range Design, where an engineering solution was needed on an A330 aircraft wing set. “After working through the complexities of the problem with the engineers and coming up with a viable and suitable solution, I was able to learn a great deal about both the product and the engineering methodology that was used throughout,” he said. On completion of his apprenticeship his ambition is to go on to the full Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering.

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR APRIL DAVIES

FINALISTS APPRENTICESHIP      

Emma Brooks Daniel Holland Joshua Jenkins Ashley Jones Aron Wyn Jones Ann Roberts

EMPLOYER  BT  Denbighshire County    

Council Flintshire County Council GE Aviation (Wales) Ltd Spirit Hair Team The Story of Cardiff

LEARNING PROVIDER  Coleg Cambria (Mid

and North Wales Skills Consortium)  Vocational Skills Partnership (Wales) Ltd

TRAINEESHIP      

Tamar Girdlestone Jordan Jackson Chloe Lodder Shannon Mason Sean Parsons Kevin Price

JOBS GROWTH WALES  Gareth Carpenter  Craig Wadley

April is living her dream as role model to young women in farming Determined April Davies is a shining role model for young women seeking a career in the male dominated farming industry. Not only did she face the barrier of coming from a nonfarming background, but she found she was the only girl on her work based learning course at Coleg Powys (now Grwˆp NPTC Group Newtown campus) for four years. Refusing to let that stand in her way, she achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship and an Apprenticeship in Agriculture. She attended the college one day a week whilst working for farmer Ben Beddoes at Dairy Dreams and Common Piece Farm, Churchstoke. Her work placement involved getting to the farm sometimes at

5am to help milk the cows and she has been involved in all the other aspects of the business, including using large agricultural machinery and helping to run and promote the diversiﬁed ice cream business. April, 21, from Dolfor, near Newtown, is now being used as a case study by Lantra, the Landbased Sector Skills Council, to attract other young women into the industry. “Although I knew it would be difﬁcult because I did not come from a family farm, I was determined to succeed,” she said. “I have been very lucky to have a placement with an employer who believes in my ability and has allowed me to use my business and entrepreneurial skills gained at college in both

ENTREPRENEURIAL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR NICK PETRAKIS

she has also set up a small scale sheep enterprise, which she hopes to develop in the future.

FOUNDATION APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR PAULA BLUNDELL

Teaching assistant Paula proves it’s never too late to learn

Inspirational Nick realises a dream by opening salon Welsh hairdresser entrepreneur Nick Petrakis is no stranger to Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, having won the Foundation Apprentice of the Year award in 2012 for his truly inspirational story. Vocational training has paved the way to a successful career, which has involved international travel for Nick, 27, who has now realised a lifetime ambition to open his own salon in Cardiff. Having left school with no qualiﬁcations at the age of 13 when his father died, he started full-time vocational training as a hairdresser with Bridgend-based training provider ISA Training, who have guided him every step of the way. He achieved a hairdressing qualiﬁcation by the age of 16 and has completed Foundation Apprenticeships in hairdressing and beauty and achieved the A1 Assessors Award. Next up, to support his business, is a NVQ level four in management. Having worked in London

the agricultural and ice cream business.” In addition to her full time job,

and Florida, he established ‘nickymichaels’ in Cyncoed, Cardiff with partner Michael Howard last October and business is booming. They now employ ﬁve staff and plan to double the size of the salon to create 12 work stations and a beauty room to meet customer demand. “Having been hairdressing for 15 years, I have constantly improved through vocational training and this has allowed me to create my dream salon,” explained Nick. “It has been an amazing time since opening the salon and I haven’t looked back as the business has evolved quickly. I believe I am a positive example of entrepreneurial success through vocational training and I would be honoured to continue to be an ambassador for apprenticeships to inspire and motivate others.”

“It’s never too late to learn,” says Paula Blundell, who works as a teaching assistant and midday supervisor at Ysgol Mynydd Isa, near Mold. Paula, a 40-year-old mother of one, has completed a Foundation Apprenticeship for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools through Wrexham IteC and is now working towards an apprenticeship after being bitten by the learning bug. “I want to show other people who have a family to look after that it is never too late to learn,” she said. “I never thought I could do it, but I have and I am moving on to a higher level now. It has opened up a whole new world to me and I am doing a job I love. I am looking forward to learning in the future and throughout my career.” Paula, who lives in Bryn-Y-Baal, near Mold, confesses that she never found a job that she truly enjoyed after leaving school with a handful of GCSEs at the age of 16. Her new career began when she secured a post as midday

supervisor at her son’s school and started helping out in class. She really enjoyed working with the children and was encouraged to begin a Foundation Apprenticeship. “Despite not having studied for over 20 years, I thoroughly enjoyed researching and developing my skills and knowledge,” she said. “I love supporting the children and seeing their faces when something clicks for them. It is a great honour to be trusted and I always strive to do my best for them.”

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013 LARGE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR MABEY BRIDGE

SMALL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR MAES MANOR HOTEL

Expanding company reaping rewards

Apprenticeships boost hotel staff’s productivity and morale With the objective of increasing morale and productivity, Maes Manor Hotel in the Blackwood Mountains established an apprenticeship programme nearly two years ago. With the emphasis on improving employment opportunities, practices and procedures, along with customer service, the hotel now employs 10 apprentices. “We decided that by encouraging and committing staff members to undertake an apprenticeship, supported by a quality training programme, would help to create a more focused team,” said Lee Parsons, operations director. “While learning through the apprenticeship programme, the employees can build career goals and begin a path to success, ensuring more commitment from them within their roles and a commitment from the employer to encourage career progression within their job role.” The hotel is providing apprenticeships within a range of frameworks, including food and beverage service, hospitality services, hospitality supervision, customer service and food safety courses. It also provides apprenticeships for catering

Lee Parsons, operations director, with his team assistants and trainee chefs. The hotel provides full support and guidance to staff enrolled on the apprenticeship programme who are encouraged to participate in training courses held on the premises. A “buddy system” is also undertaken at the hotel where new employees are paired with a trained member of staff. They work shifts with them, developing their skills, before undergoing further training and being regularly assessed, with additional training and support available. “Within the business we are ﬁnding employees currently enrolled on the apprenticeship programme are happier within the workplace and have a keen sense of development,” added Lee. Since introducing the programme the business has seen a “huge change” in morale.

Increasing self-confidence so that apprentices can make an active contribution to the development and success of Mabey Bridge Ltd is integral to its apprenticeship programme. Chepstow-based Mabey Bridge Andrew Sutton, training manager at Mabey Ltd is one of the world’s leading Bridge Ltd, with apprentices specialist suppliers of quality steel managers and professional engineers bridging, infrastructure, wind turbine of the future, so securing the long-term towers and heavy plated structural reputation of the company,” said Andrew steelwork, employing over 600 people. Sutton, training manager at Mabey Bridge It launched its apprenticeship Ltd. programme eight years ago to ensure The company currently employs 27 a steady supply of fabricators into the apprentices and has recruited 35 over business. the past eight years. It has also launched With increasing demand for fabricators a Graduate Development Scheme and is and welders within the business, rotating engineering graduates around the company expanded its training projects in the key business areas. programme after finding it increasingly Apprentices receive the same support difficult in recent years to recruit qualified and benefits of other employees, are quality technicians and industrial painters. supported by an internal mentor and An apprenticeship programme for quality undertake day-release for theory and technicians and industrial protective practical training. treatment operators was developed with The company has also been involved Coleg Gwent, the company’s lead training in an EU funded Leonardo Project, in supplier. conjunction with Coleg Gwent, whereby “Our expectation is that the apprentices apprentices have exchanged with students will not only meet these business needs from Finland to help share experiences. but will go on and develop into the

MACRO EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AIRBUS

The cornerstone of skills strategy at Airbus The apprenticeship programme at Airbus is the cornerstone of its skills strategy, with excellent talent retention and development, ensuring one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft has a highly skilled workforce. Currently employing 350 apprentices in a range of roles, the company has been a leading organisation in Europe for supporting apprenticeships for many years and continues to lead within the sector. At its base in North Wales, the company works closely with learning provider, Coleg Cambria (previously Deeside College), to ensure its apprentices receive the best possible training and development programme within their relevant framework. “Our apprenticeship programme helps us as a company to meet our ambition of growing current and future leaders to support growth within our organisation,” said Mark Preston, apprenticeship programme operations manager at Airbus.

“We bring and develop young people into our business, some of which come from school or college and offer development to allow those who want it the opportunity to grow into leadership roles.” The company also has an aspiration of growing the number of female apprentices to 25%. Apprentices at Airbus are given positions within the core workforce, they are paid while they learn and they can progress to high level qualifications at no financial cost. “Many of the management positions held within the business are people who have come through our apprenticeship programme. As a result of the talent identified during the apprenticeship, the company’s performance is enhanced,” added Mark. An example of this is the head of programme planning for the giant A380 aircraft. Chris Bennion, completed his apprenticeship only five years ago.

Mark Preston, apprenticeship programme manager at Airbus, with apprentices Daniel Holland and Alex Birbeck

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013

APPRENTICESHIP PROVIDER OF THE YEAR ISA TRAINING

Memorable year for pioneering training provider It has been a memorable year for apprenticeship provider ISA Training, which has a successful track record of providing exciting, career enhancing opportunities for work-based learners and working closely with employers. The innovative Bridgend-based company, the largest independent hairdressing and beauty training provider in Wales, has celebrated its 15th anniversary, achieved the Investors in People gold standard, become the ﬁrst work-based learning provider in Wales to be recognised by Habia Skills Academy as a Centre of Expertise and been recognised for its work in two Estyn best practice case studies.

In addition, the company organised a pioneering, two-week work experience placement to Tarragona, Spain for 10 apprentices and two staff. Funding has been secured from the European Commission’s Leonardo Programme to run a similar visit next year to Cyprus, where the company has established a partnership with Discovery Training. Closer to home, ISA Training organises Salon Cymru, a dynamic annual showcase for hairdressing and beauty learners from Wales and England, at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff. Having grown tenfold since its launch in 1998, ISA Training employs 63 staff

and specialises in work-based learning, delivering government-funded programmes in beauty, hairdressing, customer service, team leading and management. In the past 15 years, the company’s turnover has increased from £350,000 to £3.5m, learners have increased from 100 to in excess of 800 and the number of employers it works with has risen from 35 to in excess of 400. “Building a successful working relationship with employers not only supports learners in the achievement of the apprenticeship but also supports the employer and their business,” said ISA Training’s chairman Shirley Davis-Fox.

ISA Training’s chairman, Shirley DavisFox and managing director, Berni Tyler

PROVIDER AWARD FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIVENESS ACORN LEARNING SOLUTIONS

Acorn supports people to engage with learning at all levels Vulnerable women from ethnic minorities, refugees, people working in the community and teenagers with special educational needs are among more than 1,000 learners that a Newport-based training provider has helped to complete learning activities over the last year. Acorn aims to integrate within the communities that it serves by supporting people to engage with the learning arena at lots of different levels across a range of programmes, including apprenticeships. Over the last year, Acorn has worked with Oxfam to support and develop women of ethnic minority to achieve a bespoke level one retail qualiﬁcation and

BTEC knowledge technical certificate, boosting their confidence and enabling them to apply for retail roles. The company has also created a Recognition of Prior Learning programme with the Wales Refugee Council to deliver unit accreditation to residents in Cardiff who have now become citizens in Wales. In addition, Acorn has delivered the QWEST programme, which engages adult learners, who may be unemployed, volunteering or working less than 16 hours per week, to study community development as a qualification. The company has also delivered qualifications to pupils aged 16 and 17, who have special educational needs or

Acorn Group directors, Barbara Poole, Helena Williams and Sarah John have become disengaged from learning. This year 21 pupils achieved the BTEC Award in Work Skills at entry level. “We are working in local communities

IT’S TIME to build a

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businessskillshotline@wales.gsi.gov.uk wales.gov.uk/apprenticeships facebook.com/apprenticeshipscymru

in Wales supporting individuals to beneﬁt from a positive learning experience and to recognise their achievements,” said Sarah John, Acorn’s commercial director.

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013

TRAINEESHIP LEARNER OF THE YEAR (ENGAGEMENT) DOMINIC EVANS

Young chef impresses bosses Eighteen-year-old Dominic Evans from Newport excelled in his GCSEs but decided to leave school after a year of sixth form and was offered a traineeship with ITEC as a stepping-stone to more qualiﬁcations and a job. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was very shy,” he said. “As part of the traineeship I went on a work placement in the kitchens at the Celtic Manor Resort. I absolutely loved it, worked very hard and I didn’t miss a single day during my six-month placement, which resulted in me being offered an apprenticeship.” Dominic is now a trainee chef, working with the Olive Tree Restaurant kitchen team, which cooks up to 700 buffet breakfasts every day. “I have a brilliant job and I’m always learning something new. There is no way I could have done this without going through the

TRAINEESHIP LEARNER OF THE YEAR (LEVEL 1) LUCY PRICE

Reward for exceptional talent and commitment A young woman from Bangor who left school with little hope or ambition has astounded those around her with her skills and commitment to hairdressing. Lucy Price, 17, now works at TH1 hair salon in Bangor, where she is regarded as an outstanding employee with real potential to progress further. Leaving school without any qualiﬁcations and only interested in hairdressing, Lucy enrolled on a traineeship with Coleg Menai, where her talent and motivation were quickly recognised. In the teaching salon, she showed exceptional skills and dexterity, so much so that she was fast-tracked through the engagement course and went on to achieve her Level 1 qualiﬁcation ahead of target. She is now working towards her NVQ

Level 2 hairdressing qualiﬁcation, which she is expected to complete well-ahead of target. “When I started the hairdressing course, for the ﬁrst time I found something I really wanted to do,” said Lucy. “I love my job and I’m very grateful to the college and the opportunities they have given me. “I’d like to work my way up in the salon and maybe one day look at training to be a college tutor myself, so that I can help other young people like myself.” Tracey Roberts from Coleg Menai said: “It is a well-used cliche when we say that people give 100% but in Lucy’s case it is absolutely true. She’s an amazing young lady who deserves to have her efforts rewarded and the successes she has achieved in her life recognised.”

traineeship and I am very grateful,” said Dominic. “I’m very pleased that I’ve been nominated for the award. I work hard because I know that this is my big chance and I’m not going to waste it.” Dominic will soon start his Level 2 in Food Hygiene and is also taking part in the Celtic Manor’s own in-house training programmes. Mike Bates, executive chef at the Celtic Manor, said: “Dominic has progressed well. He is working alongside senior chefs who are pushing him, he is relishing the challenge and has come out of himself.” Joel Williams from ITEC said: “Dominic was very shy, and had a quiet personality when he joined us but his conﬁdence is going from strength to strength. All who have come into contact with Dominic admire his determination to succeed and speak highly of him.”

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013

STEPS TO EMPLOYMENT LEARNER OF THE YEAR NICOLA SANIGAR

Mum of four gets onto career ladder A mum-of-four who left school at 15 has passed her childcare qualiﬁcations and secured a job at a nursery. Nicola Sanigar, 35, from Barry, had not been in paid employment before and her only experience had been raising her own children, aged nine to 17. “I really wanted a job and I knew I wanted to work with children,” she said. “I started by volunteering at a playgroup run by a friend and really enjoyed it, but I knew that I needed to get some qualiﬁcations before I could secure paid work.”

Her local Job Centre encouraged her to contact TSW Training and she joined its Steps to Employment course, working towards Children’s Care Learning and Development Level 2. During training Nicola showed excellent skills and commitment and received very positive feedback from a placement at a local nursery. There was a setback halfway through her training, when the nursery she volunteered at closed. Nicola was disappointed as she’d hoped to work there after qualifying, but she didn’t let it stop her.

She completed the course and found herself a job at Daisy Day Nursery. She is now working towards Children’s Care Learning and Development Level 3. “I’m really happy to have been nominated,” she said. “I’ve worked very hard to develop myself and provide a better life for my children. I’m so much more conﬁdent and I have a job I really enjoy.” Lisa Hayden from TSW Training said: “Nicola has been an outstanding learner, and still is. She is also an excellent role model.”

JOBS GROWTH WALES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR FFION MALWALA

North Wales move kick starts career It took a move from Cardiff to Prestatyn to kick-start Ffion Malwala’s career in graphic design. Now the 24-year-old has a permanent position with Daydream Designs, where her contribution is helping the company grow. Since she joined, the company’s profits in graphic design have gone up by over 90% and it has also started working on packaging design, with products now on the shelves of TK Maxx and Holland & Barratt. Ffion, who has a design degree from Cardiff University, said: “After graduating,

I applied for so many jobs but didn’t get anywhere. I started to lose conﬁdence, thinking I wasn’t good enough, but I kept on looking.” She found out about the design role on the Jobs Growth Wales programme through Twitter, applied and went on to impress at interview. “Things have turned out really well,” she said. “I really like my job and I’m enjoying working to grow the business.” Sian Saunders, creative director at Daydream Design, said: “The fact that Fﬁon was prepared to move to North Wales to

take up the position clearly demonstrated her commitment. “Her design skills were impressive from the outset but she needed more conﬁdence. Through her training with Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, her conﬁdence grew and today she manages projects and clients. She even made a presentation to 300 undergraduates at Glyndwˆ r University. “Her forward-thinking, innovative approach has amazed us from the start and has helped us to grow the business in new directions.”

SPONSOreD FeATUre

Making a positive difference to people’s lives ACT was established in 1988 and has since become Wales’ leading training provider; delivering a range of fantastic bespoke qualifications for learners aged 14 upwards. The company was set up by managing director Andrew Cooksley who’s mission has been to make a positive difference to people’s lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities. The company, which holds the largest work-based learning contract with the Welsh Government, offers traineeships, apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships to its diverse intake of learners. ACT has something for everyone; school leavers looking for a credible alternative to college, those who are unemployed as well as people already in employment who are looking to improve their job prospects by upskilling through apprenticeships/higher apprenticeships which they can carry out at work. ACT operates at five locations across Wales: Cardiff (two locations), Caerphilly, Bridgend and Wrexham. It also has an outdoor activity centre, Ynys Hywel located in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park between Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly where learners can visit to develop confidence and motivation. During the last year more than 6,500 people have decided to develop their skills with ACT and its subcontractors by way of a variety of

Andrew Cooksley, managing director of ACT courses or routes which range from health and social care to team leading and management (ILM). In addition to ACT’s training options the company also runs Ocean Park Academy based in Cardiff which offers an alternative to young people aged 14 upwards who have had difﬁculty engaging in mainstream education. For a variety of reasons many young people no longer attend school on a full-time basis.

This might be due to disruptive behaviour, truancy or school phobia. ACT believe that young people who have become disengaged with education are still entitled to learn and Ocean Park Academy provides them with an opportunity to do so. Learners who choose to learn with ACT beneﬁt from the company in many ways. Through Welsh Government funding many qualiﬁcations at ACT are free to learners and

employers. The company does not have a specific registration period meaning that learners can sign up on their chosen route at any time in the year. ACT have also built and developed strong working relationships with quality employers across Wales. Therefore, learners who have chosen to carry out an apprenticeship through ACT will have the opportunity to get paid to learn at wellwrespected organisations such as Barclays, Legal & General, Cardiff University, Arriva and the National Autistic Society Cymru, to name but a few. ACT ensures that it practices what it preaches at all times. Many ACT staff members are ex-learners who have flourished while carrying out traineeships, apprenticeships and placements facilitated by the company. The ACT management team has fostered a positive, supportive environment for staff members, with the company being awarded the highest possible grading of gold in the hugely sought-after Investors in People Profile standard as well as being named in the prestigious Sunday Times’ Best 100 places to work in the UK in 2012. ACT is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Whether you are an employer looking to boost your workforce or a potential learner looking to boost yourself ACT would love to hear from you. Contact them on 029 2046 4727 or visit www.acttraining.org.uk

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Call Rachel Ellis on 02920 464727 Look at our website acttraining.org.uk Or email us at info@acttraining.org.uk

Gwobrau’n dathlu rhagoriaeth a llwyddiant eithriadol Mae Gwobrau Cenedlaethol Hyfforddiant a Phrentisiaethau Cymru yn dathlu llwyddiant eithriadol dysgwyr, cyflogwyr a darparwyr dysgu sy’n ymwneud â chyflenwi rhaglenni sgiliau o safon uchel ledled Cymru Yn y seremoni wobrwyo yn y Celtic Manor ar Hydref 18, rhoddwyd cydnabyddiaeth i’r cyfoeth anhygoel o dalent sydd yng Nghymr. Mae’r enillwyr wedi arddangos blaengaredd, menter, creadigrwydd a gwir ymrwymiad i wella’r sgiliau sy’n ofynnol er mwyn cyfrannu at economi llwyddiannus yng Nghymru. Eleni, o’r nifer uwch nag erioed o ymgeiswyr, dewiswyd tri deg chwech o ddysgwyr, cyflogwyr a darparwyr hyfforddiant o bob rhan o Gymru gan banel o feirniaid, cyn i enwau’r 13 enillydd teilwng gael eu cyhoeddi.

Mae’r seremoni wobrwyo yn cadarnhau’r ffaith mai’r Prentisiaethau hyn yw’r safon aur ym maes hyfforddiant galwedigaethol i bobl ifanc ac maent yn chwarae rôl hollbwysig yn ein heconomi. Nid yn unig maent yn cynnig cymwysterau a sgiliau hanfodol, maent hefyd yn gyﬂeoedd ynddynt eu hunain i bobl ifanc, sydd â’r potensial i newid eu bywydau. I gyﬂogwyr, mae’n fuddsoddiad pwysig sy’n talu ar ei ganfed, yn ariannol ac o ran sgiliau eu gweithlu. “Fe hoffwn i longyfarch yr

enillwyr i gyd a phawb sydd wedi cyrraedd y cam hwn, a dwi am ddymuno’r gorau iddyn nhw wrth iddyn nhw barhau i gyfrannu’n fawr i’w gwahanol feysydd. Rydyn ni’n gwybod bod prentisiaethau yn dod â manteision gwirioneddol. Dyna pam mae Llywodraeth Cymru, gyda chymorth o Gronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop, yn dal i fuddsoddi’n helaeth mewn cyﬂeoedd ledled Cymru i bobl ifanc fynd yn brentisiaid ac yn dal i gefnogi cyﬂogwyr sydd am recriwtio prentisiaid. “Yn ein cyhoeddiad am y gyllideb

yn ddiweddar, fe gadarnhaodd Jane Hutt, y Gweinidog Cyllid, fod £12.5m arall i gael ei roi i ddatblygu ein rhaglen Twf Swyddi Cymru am bedwaredd blwyddyn. Mae hyn yn golygu y gallwn greu mwy na 4,000 o gyﬂeoedd gwaith ychwanegol i bobl ifanc 16-24 oed yn 2015-16. Bydd Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd yn buddsoddi £20m arall yn 2015/16 i gefnogi prentisiaethau. Mae hyn yn newyddion ardderchog i’n pobl ifanc a’n cyﬂogwyr a bydd yn golygu y gallwn ni wneud gwahaniaeth go iawn.”

PRENTIS UWCH Y FLWYDDYN ALEX BIRBECK

Gyrfa gydag Airbus yn ysbrydoli Alex Roedd Alex Birbeck bob amser yn rhyfeddu at y ffordd roedd peirianneg yn cael y fath effaith ar fywyd bob dydd ac roedd yn chwilio am yrfa i’w ysbrydoli i fod yn ddyfeisgar ac yn greadigol. Felly, gwnaeth gais i fod yn brentis gydag un o’r cwmnïau gwneud awyrennau mwyaf yn y byd, Airbus. Bu’n pwyso a mesur a ddylai fynd i’r brifysgol ynteu ddilyn rhaglen brentisiaeth a phenderfynu ar brentisiaeth am ei fod yn teimlo bod y rhagolygon yn well. Dewisodd Brentisiaeth Beirianneg Uwch. “Yn ogystal â chael y proﬁad gwerthfawr o weithio gydag un o’r

prif gwmnïau yn y byd ym maes cynhyrchu awyrennau, byddwn i’n cael cyfleoedd prin iawn,” meddai Alex. “I mi, yn bersonol, y prif gyfle oedd cael cydweithio â pheirianwyr profiadol oedd yn arbenigwyr yn eu maes, a dysgu ganddynt. Fyddai ddim modd iddo wneud hynny trwy ddilyn y llwybr trwy’r brifysgol.” Cymerodd Alex y brentisiaeth ar ôl bod yn llwyddiannus yn ei Lefel A ac mae wedi ennill NVQ Lefel 2 Cyflawni Gweithrediadau Peirianyddol, Lefel 4 mewn Arweinyddiaeth Beirianyddol, Lefel 3 Sgiliau Hanfodol a Gradd Sylfaen gan y darparwr dysgu, Prifysgol

Glyndwˆ r. Dydi Alex ddim wedi edrych nôl. Mae wedi cael gweithio gyda sawl tîm yn Airbus ac mae wedi cyfrannu at brosiectau fel dylunio awyrennau teithiau hir, lle’r oedd angen datrysiad peirianyddol ar set adenydd awyren A330. “Ar ôl gweithio trwy gymhlethdodau’r broblem gyda’r peirianwyr a chanfod ateb ymarferol ac addas, cefais ddysgu llawer am y cynnyrch a’r dulliau peirianyddol oedd yn cael eu defnyddio,” meddai. Ar ôl cwblhau ei brentisiaeth, ei nod yw symud ymlaen i wneud gradd Baglor lawn mewn peirianneg awyrennau.

Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru 2013 PRENTIS Y FLWYDDYN APRIL DAVIES

ENILLWYR PRENTISIAETH      

Emma Brooks Daniel Holland Joshua Jenkins Ashley Jones Aron Wyn Jones Ann Roberts

CYFLOGWR      

BT Cyngor Sir Dinbych Cyngor Sir y Fﬂint GE Aviation (Wales) Ltd Spirit Hair Team Amgueddfa Stori Caerdydd

DARPARWR DYSGU  Coleg Cambria

(Consortiwm Sgiliau’r Canolbarth a’r Gogledd)  Vocational Skills Partnership (Cymru) Cyf

HYFFORDDIAETH      

Tamar Girdlestone Jordan Jackson Chloe Lodder Shannon Mason Sean Parsons Kevin Price

TWF SWYDDI CYMRU  Gareth Carpenter  Craig Wadley

April yn gwireddu ei breuddwyd i fod yn esiampl i ferched ifanc ym myd amaeth Mae April Davies yn ferch benderfynol sy’n esiampl ardderchog i ferched a hoffai weithio ym myd amaeth – sy’n dal yn llawn dynion. Yn ogystal â gorfod ymdopi â’r ffaith nad oedd ganddi gefndir amaethyddol, April oedd yr unig ferch ar ei chwrs dysgu seiliedig ar waith yng Ngholeg Powys (campws y Drenewydd, Grwˆ p NPTC erbyn hyn) am bedair blynedd. Serch hynny, aeth yn ei blaen i gwblhau Prentisiaeth Sylfaen a Phrentisiaeth mewn Amaethyddiaeth. Roedd yn mynd i’r coleg un diwrnod yr wythnos tra oedd yn gweithio i Ben Beddoes yn Dairy Dreams a Common Piece Farm, yr Ystog. Roedd ei lleoliad gwaith yn golygu ei bod yn gorfod

cyrraedd y fferm erbyn pump o’r gloch y bore weithiau i helpu i odro ac roedd yn cael blas ar bob agwedd ar y busnes, yn cynnwys defnyddio peiriannau mawr y fferm a helpu i redeg a hyrwyddo’r busnes hufen iâ. Erbyn hyn, mae Lantra, y Cyngor Sgiliau Sector ar gyfer Diwydiannau’r Tir, yn defnyddio April, sy’n 21 oed ac yn dod o Ddolfor ger y Drenewydd, fel astudiaeth achos i ddenu merched ifanc eraill i’r diwydiant. “Roeddwn i’n gwybod y byddai’n anodd gan nad ydw i’n dod o deulu amaethyddol ond roeddwn i’n benderfynol o lwyddo,” meddai. “Rwy wedi bod yn lwcus iawn i gael lleoliad gwaith gyda chyﬂogwr sydd â ffydd yn fy ngallu ac mae wedi

PRENTIS ENTREPRENEURAIDD Y FLWYDDYN NICK PETRAKIS

amser, mae April wedi cychwyn ffermio defaid ar raddfa fach ac mae’n gobeithio datblygu hyn yn y dyfodol.

PRENTIS SYLFAEN Y FLWYDDYN PAULA BLUNDELL

Paula’n dangos nad yw hi byth yn rhy hwyr i ddysgu

Nick yn ysbrydoli eraill trwy agor ei salon ei hun Nid dyma ymweliad cyntaf Nick Petrakis â Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru! Y llynedd, ef oedd enillydd gwobr Prentis Sylfaen y Flwyddyn ac mae’n ysbrydoliaeth i bawb am ei fenter ym maes trin gwallt. Mae hyfforddiant galwedigaethol wedi arwain at yrfa lwyddiannus i Nick, 27, a fu’n gweithio dramor cyn gwireddu uchelgais oes i fod yn berchen ar ei salon lwyddiannus ei hunan yng Nghaerdydd. Ar ôl gadael yr ysgol heb gymwysterau o gwbl yn 13 oed pan gollodd ei dad, dechreuodd ar hyfforddiant galwedigaethol llawn amser ym maes trin gwallt gyda’r darparwr hyfforddiant o Ben-y-bont, ISA Training, sydd wedi rhoi arweiniad iddo ar hyd y ffordd. Enillodd gymhwyster mewn trin gwallt erbyn iddo gyrraedd 16 oed ac mae wedi cwblhau Prentisiaethau Sylfaen mewn trin gwallt a harddwch, ac wedi cael Dyfarniad Aseswyr A1. Y peth nesaf, er mwyn hybu ei fusnes,

rhoi cyﬂe i mi roi’r sgiliau busnes a ddysgais yn y coleg ar waith ar y fferm ac yn y busnes hufen iâ.” Yn ogystal â’i swydd lawn

yw NVQ lefel pedwar mewn rheoli. Ar ôl bod yn gweithio yn Llundain a Florida, sefydlodd ‘nickymichaels’ yng Nghyncoed, Caerdydd gyda’i bartner, Michael Howard, fis hydref diwethaf ac mae’r busnes yn gwneud yn dda. Erbyn hyn, maent yn cyflogi pum aelod o staff ac maent yn bwriadu dyblu maint y salon i greu 12 man gweithio ac ystafell harddwch er mwyn ateb y galw. “Ar ôl gweithio ym maes trin gwallt am 15 mlynedd, rwy wedi llwyddo i wella fy hunan yn barhaus trwy hyfforddiant galwedigaethol ac mae hyn wedi rhoi cyfle i mi greu salon fy mreuddwydion,” esboniodd Nick. “Mae wedi bod yn amser gwych ers i ni agor y salon. Dydw i ddim wedi edrych nôl gan fod y busnes wedi datblygu mor gyflym. Rwy’n credu mod i’n enghraifft dda o lwyddiant entrepreneuraidd trwy hyfforddiant galwedigaethol a byddai’n fraint i mi gael parhau fel llysgennad prentisiaethau er mwyn ysbrydoli a hybu pobl eraill.”

“Dydi hi byth yn rhy hwyr i ddysgu,” meddai Paula Blundell sy’n gynorthwyydd addysgu a goruchwylydd canol dydd yn Ysgol Mynydd Isa, ger yr Wyddgrug. Mae Paula yn 40 oed ac mae ganddi un plentyn. Mae wedi cwblhau Prentisiaeth Sylfaen mewn Cefnogi Dysgu ac Addysgu mewn Ysgolion trwy IteC Wrecsam ac mae’n gweithio ar brentisiaeth erbyn hyn ar ôl cael blas ar ddysgu. “Hoffwn i ddangos i bobl eraill sy’n gofalu am deulu nad yw hi byth yn rhy hwyr i ddysgu,” meddai. “Doeddwn i ddim yn meddwl y gallwn i ei wneud ond mi lwyddais i ac rwy’n symud ymlaen i lefel uwch ran. Mae wedi agor byd newydd i mi ac rwy wrth fy modd yn fy ngwaith. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at ddysgu mwy, trwy gydol fy ngyrfa.” Mae Paula, sy’n byw ym Mryny-Baal, ger yr Wyddgrug, yn cyfaddef na chafodd hi erioed swydd yr oedd hi wir yn ei mwynhau ar ôl gadael yr ysgol yn 16 oed wedi pasio llond dwrn o arholiadau TGAU. Cychwynnodd ar ei gyrfa newydd pan gafodd swydd yn

oruchwylydd canol dydd yn ysgol ei mab a dechrau helpu yn y dosbarth. Roedd yn mwynhau gweithio gyda’r plant a chafodd ei hannog i gychwyn ar Brentisiaeth Sylfaen. “Er nad oeddwn i wedi gorfod astudio dim ers dros 20 mlynedd, fe welais i fy mod yn mwynhau ymchwilio a datblygu fy sgiliau a ‘ngwybodaeth,” meddai. “Dw i wrth fy modd yn helpu’r plant ac yn gweld eu hwynebau pan fyddan nhw’n sylweddoli eu bod yn deall rhywbeth. Mae’n fraint bod plant yn ymddiried ynoch chi ac rwy bob amser yn gwneud fy ngorau iddyn nhw.”

Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru 2013 CYFLOGWR BYCHAN Y FLWYDDYN GWESTY MAES MANOR

Prentisiaethau codi morâl staff y gwesty ac yn eu gwneud yn fwy cynhyrchiol Gyda’r nod o godi morâl y staff a dod yn fwy cynhyrchiol, cychwynnodd gwesty Maes Manor ar fryn Maesrudded ger y Coed-duon raglen brentisiaethau bron ddwy flynedd yn ôl. Mae’r gwesty’n cyflogi 10 prentis erbyn hyn, gyda phwyslais ar wella cyfleoedd gwaith, arferion gweithio a’r gwasanaeth i gwsmeriaid. “Fe benderfynon ni y byddai annog aelodau o’r staff i ddilyn prentisiaeth, gyda rhaglen hyfforddi safonol, yn helpu i greu tîm oedd â’u meddwl ar waith,” meddai Lee Parsons, cyfarwyddwr gweithrediadau. “Wrth fynd ati i ddysgu trwy’r rhaglen brentisiaethau, mae’r gweithwyr yn gallu pennu targedau gyrfa a chychwyn ar y llwybr i lwyddo. Mae hyn yn arwain at fwy o ymroddiad yn y gwaith ac ymrwymiad gan y cyflogwr i annog y gweithwyr i symud ymlaen yn eu gyrfa.” Mae’r gwesty’n darparu prentisiaethau mewn sawl fframwaith, yn cynnwys gwasanaethau bwyd a diod, gwasanaethau lletygarwch, goruchwylio lletygarwch, gwasanaeth i gwsmeriaid a diogelwch

Lee Parsons, cyfarwyddwr gweithrediadau yng Ngwesty Maes Manor, gyda’i dîm bwyd. Mae’n cynnig prentisiaethau hefyd i gynorthwywyr arlwyo a chogyddion dan hyfforddiant. Mae’r gwesty’n rhoi cymorth ac arweiniad i staff sy’n rhan o’r rhaglen brentisiaethau gan eu hannog i gymryd rhan mewn cyrsiau hyfforddi ar y safle. Mae “system cyfeillio” yn y gwesty hefyd lle mae aelod profiadol o’r staff yn gofalu am bob gweithiwr newydd. Maen nhw’n gweithio shifftiau gyda’i gilydd gan ddatblygu eu sgiliau cyn cael rhagor o hyfforddiant ac asesidau rheolaidd. Mae hyfforddiant a chefnogaeth ychwanegol ar gael hefyd. “Rydyn ni’n gweld bod gweithwyr sydd ar y rhaglen brentisiaethau yn hapusach yn y gweithle ac yn awyddus i ddatblygu,” meddai Lee. Ers i’r busnes gyflwyno’r rhaglen hon, gwelwyd “newid enfawr” yn y morâl.

CYFLOGWR MAWR Y FLWYDDYN MABEY BRIDGE

Cwmni sy’n ehangu yn gweld ffrwyth ei lafur Un elfen hollbwysig o raglen brentisiaethau Mabey Bridge Ltd yw codi hyder fel y gall prentisiaid gyfrannu mewn ffordd ddefnyddiol at ddatblygiad a llwyddiant y cwmni. Mae Mabey Bridge Ltd o GasAndrew Sutton, rheolwr hyfforddiant Mabey gwent yn gwmni arbenigol sy’n Bridge Ltd, gyda phrentisiaid cyflenwi dyfeisiau pontio dur, tyrau tyrbinau gwynt a gwaith dur strwythurol platiog trwm. Mae gyda’r gorau rheolwyr a pheirianwyr proffesiynol y yn y byd yn y maes ac yn cyflogi dros 600 dyfodol, gan sicrhau enw da’r cwmni am o bobl. flynyddoedd i ddod,” meddai Andrew Lansiodd ei raglen brentisiaethau wyth Sutton, rheolwr hyfforddiant Mabey Bridge mlynedd yn ôl er mwyn sicrhau cyflenwad Ltd. Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r cwmni’n cyflogi 27 cyson o wneuthurwyr yn y busnes. o brentisiaid ac mae wedi recriwtio 35 dros Gan fod y galw’n cynyddu am yr wyth mlynedd ddiwethaf. Mae hefyd wneuthurwyr a weldwyr yn y busnes a’i wedi lansio Cynllun Datblygu Graddedigion bod yn mynd yn fwyfwy anodd recriwtio ac mae’n cylchdroi graddedigion technegwyr ansawdd a phaentwyr peirianneg o gwmpas prosiectau mewn diwydiannol oedd eisoes wedi ennill eu meysydd busnes allweddol. cymwysterau, penderfynodd y cwmni Mae prentisiaid yn cael yr un cymorth a ehangu ei raglen hyfforddi. manteision â gweithwyr eraill, maent yn Datblygwyd rhaglen brentisiaethau cael eu cefnogi gan fentor mewnol ac yn ar gyfer technegwyr ansawdd a phobl cael eu rhyddhau i ddilyn dosbarthiadau i roi triniaethau gwarchod diwydiannol theori a chael hyfforddiant ymarferol. gyda Choleg Gwent, sef prif ddarparwr Mae’r cwmni wedi bod yn cymryd rhan hyfforddiant y cwmni. ym Mhrosiect Leonardo a ariannir gan “Yn ogystal â diwallu anghenion y yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ar y cyd â Choleg cwmni yn awr, rydyn ni’n disgwyl y bydd Gwent, sy’n cynnwys ymweliadau cyfnewid y prentisiaid yn mynd ymlaen i fod yn â myfyrwyr o’r Ffindir i rannu profiadau.

MACRO-GYFLOGWR Y FLWYDDYN AIRBUS

Conglfaen y strategaeth sgiliau yn Airbus Rhaglen brentisiaethau Airbus yw conglfaen ei strategaeth sgiliau. Mae’n helpu i sicrhau bod y cwmni awyrennau, sydd yn un o’r rhai blaenaf yn y byd, yn gallu cadw a datblygu llawer o’r bobl ifanc sy’n ymuno â nhw a meithrin gweithlu medrus iawn. Ar hyn o bryd, mae gan y cwmni 350 o brentisiaid mewn gwahanol feysydd. Mae ganddo enw da yn Ewrop am gefnogi prentisiaethau ers blynyddoedd ac mae’n dal i arwain yn y sector. Ar saﬂe Brychdyn yng ngogledd Cymru, mae’r cwmni’n cydweithio’n agos â Coleg Cambria i sicrhau bod y prentisiaid yn cael y rhaglen hyfforddi a datblygu orau bosibl yn eu maes penodol nhw. “Mae ein rhaglen brentisiaethau’n ein helpu ni fel cwmni i wireddu’n huchelgais o feithrin arweinwyr yn awr ac i’r dyfodol er mwyn helpu’r cwmni i dyfu,” meddai Mark Preston, rheolwr gweithrediadau rhaglen brentisiaethau Airbus.

“Rydyn ni’n cyﬂwyno pobl ifanc i’r busnes ac yn eu datblygu. Mae rhai ohonyn nhw’n dod yn syth o’r ysgol neu’r coleg. Os ydyn nhw’n awyddus, rydyn ni’n rhoi cyﬂe iddyn nhw ddatblygu’n arweinwyr.” Yn ogystal, mae’n cwmni’n awyddus i weld nifer y prentisiaid sy’n ferched yn codi i 25 y cant. Mae prentisiaid yn Airbus yn cael gweithio gyda’r gweithlu craidd. Maen nhw’n cael eu talu wrth ddysgu ac yn gallu symud ymaen i ennill cymwysterau uchel heb gost iddyn nhw. “Mae llawer o reolwyr y busnes yn bobl sydd wedi dod trwy ein rhaglen brentisiaethau. Mae’r doniau sy’n dod i’r amlwg yn ystod prentisiaethau yn ychwanegu at berfformiad y cwmni,” meddai Mark. Un enghraifft o hyn yw Pennaeth Cynllunio Rhaglen yr awyren enfawr, A380. Dim ond pum mlynedd sydd ers i Chris Bennion gwblhau ei brentisiaeth.

Mark Preston, rheolwr rhaglenni prentisiaethau yn Airbus, gyda’r prentisiaid Daniel Holland ac Alex Birbeck

Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru 2013

DARPARWR PRENTISIAETHAU Y FLWYDDYN ISA TRAINING

Blwyddyn gofiadwy i ddarparwr hyfforddiant arloesol Bu’n flwyddyn gofiadwy i’r darparwr prentisiaethau ISA Training sy’n llwyddo i gynnig cyfleoedd cyffrous i ddatblygu gyrfaoedd pobl sy’n cymryd rhan mewn dysgu seiliedig ar waith gan gydweithio’n agos â chyflogwyr. Y cwmni arloesol o Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr yw darparwr annibynnol mwyaf Cymru ym maes hyfforddiant trin gwallt a harddwch. Y llynedd, dathlodd ei ben blwydd yn 15, cyrhaeddodd safon aur Buddsoddwyr mewn Pobl, ef oedd y darparwr dysgu seiliedig ar waith cyntaf yng Nghymru i gael ei gydnabod yn Ganolfan Arbenigedd gan Habia Skills Academy, a chafodd ei gydnabod am ei waith gan Estyn mewn dwy

astudiaeth achos o arferion gorau. Yn ogystal, trefnodd y cwmni leoliad gwaith arloesol am bythefnos i Tarragona, Sbaen, ar gyfer 10 prentis a dau aelod o’r staff. Sicrhawyd cyllid gan Raglen Leonardo y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd i drefnu ymweliad tebyg y flwyddyn nesaf i Gyprus lle mae gan y cwmni bartneriaeth â Discovery Training. Yn nes at gartref, mae ISA Training yn trefnu Salon Cymru, sef arddangosfa flynyddol gyffrous ar gyfer dysgwyr ym maes trin gwallt a harddwch o Gymru a Lloegr yn Stadiwm Swalec, Caerdydd. Erbyn hyn, mae ISA Training ddeg gwaith yn fwy nag ydoedd pan lansiwyd ef yn 1998. Mae’n cyflogi 63 o staff ac yn

arbenigo mewn dysgu seiliedig ar waith, gan ddarparu rhaglenni a ariannir gan y llywodraeth ym meysydd harddwch, trin gwallt, gwasanaethu cwsmeriaid, arwain tîm a rheoli. Yn y 15 mlynedd diwethaf, mae trosiant y cwmni wedi codi o £350,000 i £3.5 miliwn, mae nifer y dysgwyr wedi codi o 100 i dros 800 a nifer y cyflogwyr y mae’n cydweithio â nhw wedi codi o 35 i dros 400. “Trwy feithrin perthynas weithiol lwyddiannus gyda’r cyflyogwyr, gallwn helpu dysgwyr i lwyddo yn eu prentisiaethau a helpu’r cyflogwyr a’u busnesau hefyd,” meddai cadeirydd ISA Training, Shirley Cadeirydd ISA Training, Shirley DavisDavis-Fox. Fox a’r rheolwr gyfarwyddwr, Berni Tyler

GWOBR I DDARPARWR AM YMATEBOLRWYDD CYMDEITHASOL ACORN LEARNING SOLUTIONS

Acorn yn helpu pobl i ddysgu ar bob lefel Menywod agored i niwed o leiafrifoedd ethnig, ffoaduriaid, pobl sy’n gweithio yn y gymuned a phobl ifanc ag anghenion addysgol arbennig – mae’r rhain ymhlith dros fil o bobl sydd wedi cymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau dysgu dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf gyda help darparwr hyfforddiant o Gasnewydd. Mae Acorn yn ceisio gwasanaethu cymunedau trwy helpu pobl i gymryd rhan mewn addysg ar nifer o wahanol lefelau ac mewn amryw o raglenni, yn cynnwys prentisiaethau. Dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, bu Acorn yn cydweithio ag Oxfam i helpu merched o leiafrifoedd ethnig i ennill cymhwyster pwrpasol lefel un mewn manwerthu

a thystysgrif dechnegol BTEC mewn gwybodaeth manwerthu. Mae hyn wedi rhoi hwb i’w hyder a’u galluogi i ymgeisio am waith manwerthu. Yn ogystal, mae’r cwmni wedi creu rhaglen Cydnabod Dysgu Blaenorol gyda Chyngor Ffoaduriaid Cymru er mwyn i bobl sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd ac sydd wedi dod yn ddinasyddion yng Nghymru gael eu hachredu. Bu Acorn yn cynnig rhaglen QWEST, hefyd, sy’n annog oedolion, a all fod yn ddi-waith, yn gwneud gwaith gwirfoddol neu’n gweithio llai nag 16 awr yr wythnos, i astudio ar gyfer cymhwyster mewn datblygiad cymunedol. Mae’r cwmni wedi darparu cymwysterau

Cyfarwyddwyr Acorn Group, Barbara Poole, Helena Williams a Sarah John ar gyfer disgyblion 16 ac 17 oed hefyd, sydd ag anghenion addysgol arbennig neu sydd wedi gadael byd dysgu. Eleni, cafodd 21 o ddisgyblion BTEC mewn Sgiliau gwaith ar lefel mynediad.

“Rydyn ni’n gweithio mewn cymunedau yng Nghymru gan helpu pobl i gael proﬁad cadarnhaol o ddysgu a chydnabod eu llwyddiant,” meddai Sarah John, cyfarwyddwr masnachol Acorn.

MAE’N BRYD adeiladu

gwell gweithlu yng nghymru Cysylltwch â Llinell Gymorth Sgiliau Busnes

0845 60 661 60

businessskillshotline@wales.gsi.gov.uk wales.gov.uk/apprenticeships facebook.com/apprenticeshipscymru

Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru 2013

DYSGWR Y FLWYDDYN, HYFFORDDEIAETHAU: (YMGYSYLLTU) DOMINIC EVANS

Cogydd ifanc yn creu argraff Cafodd Dominic Evans, 18 oed, o Gasnewydd, ganlyniadau TGAU ardderchog ond, ar ôl blwyddyn yn y chweched, penderfynodd adael. Cafodd gynnig hyfforddeiaeth gydag ITEC fel cam tuag at ennill rhagor o gymwysterau a chael gwaith. “Doeddwn i ddim yn gwybod beth i’w wneud ac ro’n i’n swil iawn,” meddai. “Fel rhan o’r hyfforddeiaeth, es i ar leoliad gwaith yng ngheginau’r Celtic Manor. Roeddwn i wrth fy modd, fe weithiais i’n galed iawn a chollais i ddim un diwrnod yn ystod y lleoliad chwe mis. O ganlyniad i hynny, ges i gynnig prentisiaeth.” Erbyn hyn, mae Dominic yn gogydd dan hyfforddiant, yn gweithio gyda thîm cegin Bwyty’r Olive Tree, sy’n gwneud hyd at 700 o frecwastau bwffe bob dydd. “Mae’n swydd wych ac rwy’n dysgu rhywbeth newydd trwy’r amser. Fyddwn i byth wedi gallu gwneud hyn heb gael

DYSGWR Y FLWYDDYN, HYFFORDDEIAETHAU: (LEFEL 1) LUCY PRICE

Gwobr am dalent ac ymroddiad eithriadol Mae merch ifanc o Fangor a adawodd yr ysgol heb lawer o obaith nac uchelgais wedi rhyfeddu pobl â’i sgiliau a’i hymroddiad i drin gwallt. Mae Lucy Price, 17, yn gweithio yn salon gwallt TH1 ym Mangor lle mae’n cael ei chyfrif yn weithwraig eithiadol gyda gwir botensial i symud ymlaen yn y maes. Gadawodd Lucy yr ysgol heb gymwysterau. Trin gwallt oedd ei hunig ddiddordeb a chychwynnodd ar Hyfforddeiaeth gyda Choleg Menai, lle cafodd ei dawn a’i brwdfrydedd eu cydnabod yn fuan iawn. Yn y salon ddysgu, dangosodd ei bod yn fedrus ac yn ddeheuig iawn, ac felly cafodd fynd trwy’r cwrs ymgysylltu sydyn a mynd ymlaen i ennill cymhwyster Lefel 1 yn gynt na’r arfer. Erbyn hyn, mae’n gweithio tuag at

gymhwyster NVQ Lefel 2 mewn trin gwallt a disgwylir iddi gwblhau hwnnw yn fuan iawn hefyd. “Pan ddechreuais i ar y cwrs trin gwallt, mi wnes i ddarganfod, am y tro cyntaf, rywbeth roedd arna i wir eisiau ei wneud,” meddai Lucy. “Dw i’n caru’r gwaith a dw i’n ddiolchgar iawn i’r coleg am y cyfle dw i’n ei gael. “Swn i’n hoffi gweithio fy ffordd i fyny yn y salon ac, efallai, hyfforddi i fod yn diwtor coleg fy hun rhyw ddiwrnod fel y medra i helpu pobl ifanc fel fi.” Dywedodd Tracey Roberts o Goleg Menai: “Mae llawer o bobl yn dweud bod rhywun yn rhoi 100% ond, yn achos Lucy, mae’n hollol wir. Mae’n ferch ifanc ryfeddol sy’n haeddu cael ei gwobrwyo am ei hymdrechion a’i chydnabod am ei llwyddiant.”

yr hyfforddeiaeth ac rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn,” meddai Dominic. “Rwy’n falch iawn mod i wedi cael fy enwebu am y wobr. Rwy’n gweithio’n galed achos rwy’n gwybod bod hwn yn gyﬂe gwych a dwi ddim yn mynd i’w wastraffu.” Cyn hir, bydd Dominic yn dechrau ar Lefel 2 mewn Hylendid Bwyd ac mae’n cymryd rhan yn rhaglen hyfforddi fewnol y Celtic Manor hefyd. Dywedodd Mike Bates, cogydd gweithredol yn y Celtic Manor: “Mae Dominic wedi dod ymlaen yn dda. Mae’n gweithio ochr yn ochr â chogyddion proﬁadol sy’n rhoi hwb iddo. Mae wrth ei fodd â’r her ac mae wedi magu hyder.” Dywedodd Joel Williams o ITEC: “Roedd Dominic yn swil ac yn dawel pan ymunodd â ni ond mae’n dod yn fwyfwy hyderus trwy’r amser. Mae pawb sydd wedi dod i gysylltiad â Dominic yn edmygu ei benderfyniad i lwyddo ac yn dweud yn dda amdano.”

Gwobrau Prentisiaethau Cymru 2013

CYFLOGADWYEDD – DYSGWR Y FLWYDDYN – CAMAU AT WAITH NICOLA SANIGAR

Mam i bedwar yn cychwyn ar ei gyrfa Mae mam i bedwar a adawodd yr ysgol yn 15 oed, wedi ennill cymwysterau gofal plant a chael swydd mewn meithrinfa. Doedd Nicola Sanigar, 35, o’r Barri ddim wedi bod mewn swydd o’r blaen a’i hunig broﬁad oedd magu ei phlant ei hunan, sydd rhwng naw ac 17 oed. “Roedd arna i wir eisiau cael gwaith ac roeddwn i’n gwybod yr hoffwn i weithio gyda phlant,” meddai. “Mi ddechreuais i trwy wirfoddoli mewn cylch chwarae roedd ffrind i mi’n ei redeg ac ro’n i’n ei fwynhau yn fawr ond roeddwn i’n gwybod bod angen cymwysterau

arna i er mwyn cael gwaith â chyﬂog.” Fe wnaeth y Ganolfan Waith ei hannog i gysylltu â TSW Training ac ymunodd â’r cwrs Camau at Waith, gan weithio tuag at Lefel 2, Gofal, Dysgu a Datblygiad Plant. Yn ystod ei hyfforddiant, dangosodd Nicola sgiliau ac ymroddiad ardderchog a chafodd ymateb da iawn gan feithrinfa leol lle bu ar leoliad. Cododd problem hanner ffordd trwy’r hyfforddiant pan gaeodd y feithrinfa lle’r oedd yn gwirfoddoli. Roedd Nicola’n siomedig gan ei bod yn gobeithio gweithio yno ar ôl ennill ei

chymwysterau ond daliodd ati. Cwblhaodd y cwrs a chael gwaith yn y Daisy Day Nursery. Erbyn hyn, mae’n gweithio at Lefel 3 Gofal, Dysgu a Datblygiad Plant. “Rwy’n falch iawn i gael fy enwebu,” meddai. “Rwy wedi gweithio’n galed iawn i ddatblygu fy hunan a rhoi gwell bywyd i ‘mhlant. Rwy llawer yn fwy hyderus ac mae gen i waith rwy’n ei fwynhau yn fawr.” Dywedodd Lisa Hayden o TSW Training: “Mae Nicola wedi bod yn ddysgwraig wych, ac mae hynny’n dal yn wir. Mae’n batrwm ardderchog i bobl eraill hefyd.”

TWF SWYDDI CYMRU – CYFLAWNYDD EITHRIADOL Y FLWYDDYN FFION MALWALA

Symud i’r gogledd yn hwb i yrfa Ffion Ar ôl symud o Gaerdydd i Brestatyn, mae gyrfa Ffion Malwala fel dylunydd graffig wedi mynd o nerth i nerth. Ac mae’r ferch 24 oed wedi cael swydd barhaol gyda Daydream Designs lle mae ei chyfraniad yn helpu’r cwmni i dyfu. Ers iddi hi ymuno, mae elw’r cwmni ym maes dylunio graffig wedi cynyddu dros 90% ac mae wedi dechrau gweithio ym maes dylunio pecynnau, gyda’i gynnyrch i’w weld ar silffoedd TK Maxx a Holland & Barrett. Mae gan Ffion radd mewn dylunio o Brifysgol Caerdydd a dywedodd: “Ar ôl graddio, fe wnes i gais am lawer o swyddi, heb

gael yr un. Fe ddechreuais i golli hyder, gan feddwl nad oeddwn i’n ddigon da, ond fe wnes i ddal ati i chwilio.” Clywodd Fﬁon am y swydd ddylunio ar raglen Twf Swyddi Cymru trwy Twitter, gwnaeth gais ac aeth ymlaen i greu argraff dda yn y cyfweliad. “Mae pethau wedi troi allan yn dda iawn,” meddai. “Rwy’n hoff iawn o’r swydd ac yn mwynhau helpu i ddatblygu’r busnes.” Dywedodd Sian Saunders, cyfarwyddwr creadigol gyda Daydream Design: “Roedd y ffaith fod Fﬁon yn barod i symud i’r gogledd i

gymryd y swydd yn dangos faint o ymroddiad oedd ganddi. “Roedd ei sgiliau dylunio yn arbennig o’r dechrau ond roedd arni angen mwy o hyder. Trwy ddilyn hyfforddiant gyda Coleg Cambria yn Wrecsam, fe dyfodd ei hyder ac erbyn hyn mae’n rheoli prosiectau a chleientiaid. Mae hyd yn oed wedi rhoi cyflwyniad i 300 o fyfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgol Glyndwˆ r. “Rydyn ni’n rhyfeddu at agwedd flaengar, ddyfeisgar Ffion o’r dechrau ac mae wedi’n helpu i ddatblygu’r busnes mewn cyfeiriadau newydd.”

Noddwyd gan

GWNAF roi hwb i’m gyrfa Yn ddi-waith? Rhwng 16 a 24 oed? Yn edrych am waith? Mae Twf Swyddi Cymru yn creu miloedd o swyddi i bobl ifanc ar draws Cymru.

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Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013