By Lucy Bird, Commercial Manager at Gower College Swansea

A win for employers, who benefit from day-one business contributions, and a win for employees, who earn qualifications alongside a wage – FM apprenticeships at Gower College Swansea offer benefits for all.

In today’s fast-paced world, buildings are more than just structures, they are complex ecosystems requiring skilled professionals to keep them running efficiently. This is where Facilities Management (FM) comes in, with apprenticeships providing a direct pathway to a thriving career in the sector.

Apprenticeship Week Wales is back for 2025, an annual celebration that shines a spotlight on the vital role apprenticeships play in shaping the future workforce, empowering learners and driving business success.

This year, AW Wales runs from Monday 10 – Sunday 16 February, where employers, colleges, schools and more come together to showcase the life changing opportunities apprenticeships provide and their significant contribution to the economy.

Upskilling with Gower College Swansea's apprenticeships can lead you on a path to success.

It’s no secret that relevant skills, knowledge and experience are all incredibly valuable to employers – and fortunately, there’s one form of learning that can help you gain all of them in one neat package: an apprenticeship.

A 19-year-old from Port Talbot is encouraging pupils from her former secondary school to consider apprenticeships as a chosen career path.

Sally Hughes attended Ysgol Cwm Brombil in Port Talbot before attending Neath college to do AS-Levels in biology, chemistry and psychology. After completing the year, Sally enrolled onto a BTEC Level 3 Applied Science at Gower College Swansea.  

Ahead of Apprenticeship Week Wales 2019, Sally has returned to her former school to talk to the current learners about her successful experience as an apprentice.

Sally Hughes is on course for a rewarding career with Tata Steel in Port Talbot and hopes to inspire other young women to follow a science career pathway.

The only female in a group of technical apprentices recruited by the company in Port Talbot in September, 2016, she says it has not been easy to be successful within a male dominated environment.

However, the 19-year-old from Port Talbot is determined to reach her full potential by embracing all opportunities available to her.

A Hairdressing apprentice from Gorseinon got a taste of the ‘absolutely fabulous’ life at London Fashion Week, thanks to her links with Gower College Swansea.

Lucy Britton, who is studying towards a Level 2 NVQ at the college’s Broadway Centre, has worked full time at the Hair Lounge in Fforestfach for the past year. The owner of the salon, Marc Isaac, is also employed by the college as a tutor / assessor in hairdressing.

Gower College Swansea joined up with the Lifelong Learning & Employment Training Service (LLETS) and 96.4FM The Wave to celebrate Apprentice Week 2015.

Roving reporter Claire Scott spent time visiting apprentices and employers across the city to hear about their experiences.

Plumbing student Joshua D’Auria has returned to Gower College Swansea for the new term with a Young Apprentice of the Year award under his belt.

He scooped the award over the summer at the Swansea Bay Young Achievers event, held in association with Nation Hits.

The award, and the nomination from his lecturers, represented a real turnaround for Josh who had no formal qualifications when he joined the college.