Author: Rhys Gregory

Apprentices with inspirational stories, employers committed to developing a highly skilled workforce and dedicated work-based learning practitioners who go the extra mile for their learners were recognised at a virtual awards ceremony last night (Thursday). The prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022 brought together 23 finalists from across Wales who have excelled on the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Programme. They logged in online to hear the winners of nine awards announced. Highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers and practitioners, the awards are organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW)…

A Welsh marine equipment manufacturer is on track to significantly grow its exports with the opening of a dedicated base in the USA following a surge in demand for its products across the globe, thanks to support from the Welsh Government. Powys-based Makefast Group, which employs over 100 people at its Newtown factory, designs and manufactures equipment for the marine and safety industries, as well as systems for super yachts and luxury boats including retractable sunroofs, awning units, and bathing platforms. Following soaring demand for its products in the USA, the company is set to open its first American headquarters…

Careers Wales announced the six winners of their Valued Partner Awards 2022 at an awards ceremony in Cardiff on Tuesday 8 November. The winners of each category were announced live and in-person for the first time since 2019, by the event host, DJ and presenter, Huw Stephens. These highly anticipated awards are a chance for Careers Wales to recognise employers who have delivered impactful and engaging careers experiences to pupils in Wales over the last twelve months. Careers Wales works with schools and employers across the country to facilitate employer engagement activity, from high-impact regional careers fairs through to individual…

On Friday 11 November and Sunday 13 November, Cardiff Bus will be offering free travel to both serving military personnel and military veterans as a thank you for their service. As the country prepares to come together to pay their respects and give thanks to those who have served our country, the bus operator will join the nation in observing a two-minute silence, along with offering free travel across its services on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday to all those wearing medals or a veteran’s badge, or those in uniform with military ID. Cardiff Bus asks customers planning on travelling…

Two young Welsh property entrepreneurs have launched a new business, an online marketplace designed to disrupt the way in which property investors find and make decisions around investment opportunities. Invesourced has been launched by Shane Williams, a property sourcing specialist, and Kelly Hopkins, a property investor, who met via a business transaction earlier this year. After comparing their experiences, they developed an idea Williams had been working on that they believe will revolutionize the sector. The business launches with four full-time staff from a headquarters in Caerphilly. Invesourced is an online marketplace connecting property investors to property sourcers across the…

Age Cymru is launching its Spread the Warmth campaign today to provide some much-needed support and information for older people during the months ahead. Much of the support is contained in its free guide Winter Wrapped Up that advises older people on how to prepare their home, maintain their health and well-being, and claim all their benefits and entitlements. The guide strongly advises that heating systems are checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. While its focus on health and well-being urges people to keep active throughout the winter months. It also…

Wales’ national observance of Remembrance Sunday, which is jointly hosted by Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government and in partnership with The Royal British Legion, will take place in Cardiff on Sunday, 13thNovember 2022. Detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets and Cadet Forces will march past City Hall and along King Edward VII Avenue to the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff where they will arrive by 10:40am and form up around the memorial. Those detachments will be joined by columns of ex-Servicemen and women, organised by the…

Schemes to help people find work, support businesses and encourage use of community green spaces are among the Swansea projects to have benefited from a major funding pot. From November 2021 to December this year, close to £2.5m worth of funding from the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund has been invested in a number of schemes across the city. Swansea Council invited applications from local organisations as part of the fund, which were then shortlisted and submitted to the UK Government for approval as part of an overall bid. Schemes to benefit in Swansea include the Pathways to Work initiative…

Zoe Hutton from Pembrokeshire has won a Fostering Excellence Award, the UK’s most prestigious fostering accolade, recognising her exceptional achievements. Zoe won the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fostering Network’s annual awards ceremony this afternoon, which was sponsored by The Mortgage Brain, this year’s headline sponsor. Coming into foster care was a challenging time for Zoe, but with perseverance, hard work and encouragement, she has already achieved so much. Zoe is a shining example of how anything is possible when you put your mind to it. With the help and support of her foster carers Mike and Pippa Thomas, and…

Twenty-six community projects in Pembrokeshire are to receive grants totalling £630,735 from the Enhancing Pembrokeshire scheme. The Pembrokeshire County Council grant scheme uses funds raised via Second Homes council tax to support new projects that help add value to communities and address the negative impact of second homes. The grant panel put forward 26 projects for endorsement by Cabinet yesterday (Monday) following consideration of 40 applications in October. Cllr Neil Prior, Cabinet Member for Corporate Improvement and Communities, said: “Enhancing Pembrokeshire has been a really successful scheme which has seen £3.2m invested in 185 projects across Pembrokeshire. “I think we…