To celebrate Apprenticeship Week Wales 2021, Gower College Swansea has organised a week-long programme of virtual events and activities from live chat rooms and information sessions to free webinars and YouTube tutorials.

One very important element of the College’s celebrations is the Virtual Apprenticeship Awards, held across Twitter and LinkedIn this week, and designed to highlight the very best of the best apprentices, employers and assessors.

Apprenticeship Week Wales aims to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

This year, Apprenticeship Week Wales will take place between Monday 8 February and Sunday 14 February.

The annual celebration showcases how apprenticeships have helped both businesses and individuals from an employment and skills development perspective.

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Gower College Swansea has held a special awards ceremony for apprentices and employers.

The event, hosted by BBC Wales Scrum V Live’s Ross Harries, was held to honour the outstanding commitment and dedication of the ‘best of the best’.

Among the award winners were learners who have completed apprenticeships in a range of disciplines from Level 2 right through to Level 5. Indeed, one of the evening’s winners – Cory Allen – is the first learner to begin a degree apprenticeship at the College.

Gower College Swansea scooped two awards at the recent AAC Apprenticeship Awards in Birmingham.

This is an incredible achievement, as more than 350 entries were submitted in total from UK colleges, training providers and employers for this prestigious event, which was organised by FE Week and the Association of Education and Learning Providers.

Gower College Swansea - the only Welsh finalist – was shortlisted in two categories, and took home both titles.

Gower College Swansea has held its first ever awards ceremony for apprentices and employers.

The special event, hosted by BBC Wales Scrum V Live’s Ross Harries, was held to honour the outstanding commitment and dedication of the ‘best of the best’ apprentices and partner employers.

“Undertaking an apprenticeship is not an easy option - it is an achievement to be extremely proud of,” says the College’s Director of Skills and Business Development, Paul Kift.

Gower College Swansea is in the running for more awards after being named as a national finalist in the AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2019.

More than 350 entries were submitted from UK colleges, training providers and employers for these prestigious awards, which are organised by FE Week and the Association of Education and Learning Providers.

Gower College Swansea - the only Welsh finalist - has been shortlisted in two categories, the first of which is Health and Science Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.

Gower College Swansea is looking forward to supporting VQ Day 2017.

The College currently offers around 40 vocational pathways for full time learners, which includes courses in subjects as diverse as catering, digital technology, beauty, sport and travel and tourism.

One student who is thoroughly enjoying his college journey is Josh Neill, who is studying towards a Level 3 qualification in Hospitality and Catering.

Gower College Swansea has developed an exciting collaboration with industrial electronics specialists Kontroltek, who are based in Bridgend, after both organisations saw a potential opportunity to move students seamlessly from the college environment into successful, motivating apprenticeships.

Kontroltek specialise in electronic, electrical and mechanical repairs and supply. They currently have 40 employees but have extensive ambitions to grow their workforce using the ‘next generation’ of electronic engineers.

The award-winning Hair Lounge Salon (which has premises in Fforestfach and Skewen) looks to its apprentices to assist in the smooth running of the business on a day to day basis.

Senior stylist Adrian took the apprenticeship route and has worked at the Hair Lounge for almost five years.