North Wales Work Based Learning Awards 2025

Talented Fiorella Wyn Roberts is destined for a bright future as a freelance make-up and hair professional in the television and film world in Wales, according to Sgil Cymru

Having completed an Apprenticeship in Media Creation, Production and Craft Support with Ap Prentis, she is well set to develop her career.

Working on the film MadFabulous with MadasBirds, Fiorella impressed the hair and make-up designer and her team so much that they took her with them to work on a new series for HETV.

“She has been brave enough to take a year out in her 30s to follow her dream,” said Sgil Cymru, with whom Fiorella spent a year. “Her success thus far is proof that apprenticeships work and change people’s lives.”

Gareth Jones’ career as retail manager at the Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth is on the right track after completing an Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing to support his personal development and diverse roles at work.

Having worked for the railway for eight years, he oversees the shop counter, staff rota, stock and Ecommerce management, as well as managing signal controls on his assigned days.

Gareth impressed his assessor by evidencing the research and work he had done to upgrade the railway shop’s original website and ecommerce platform. He also demonstrated high level digital and time management skills and completed the apprenticeship despite having to juggle family life with three children, volunteering

responsibilities and learning the Welsh language.

His employer describes him as “a valued and very conscientious member of staff”.

Leanne Atlee has been praised for her commitment and dedication to the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service after completing an apprenticeship and other work-related qualifications.

She achieved an SFJ Awards Level 3 Diploma in Emergency Fire & Rescue Services, developing her skills in the process.

Supported by Green Watch Deeside, Leanne has embraced and taken on extra responsibilities sooner than expected to benefit the fire and rescue service and her colleagues.

She is a member of the UKRO Water Rescue Boat Team, having competed in Hampshire and Isle of Wight last September and an active member of the Women in the Fire Service.

Head chef Liam Thomas has been described by his assessor as “a true champion of work-based learning”, leading by example to encourage colleagues to become apprentices.

Liam, who works at Wal Restaurant, Caernarfon, has progressed from a Foundation Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery to complete an Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership, boosting his cooking and leadership skills along the way.

An enthusiastic learner, he initially lacked confidence in his ability but had the drive and determination to improve his skills.

He helped his employers to expand by opening Woodfire Pizza restaurant, after attending masterclasses with an Italian pizza expert, researching equipment required and contributing to a business plan.

He has also attended a range of other masterclasses to learn about global cuisines and is happy to share his knowledge and skills with colleagues.

Joining the Babcock Apprentice Programme boosted Nash Costigan’s confidence and communication skills and secured him a permanent job maintaining the Hawk TMk2 aircraft at RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Praised for his outstanding attitude to learning, Nash passed numerous internal training courses to help him achieve his Apprenticeship in Aeronautical Engineering. Nash is a valued and respected member of the aircraft maintenance team and is now working towards an Apprenticeship in Management.

His very quiet and reserved nature was a concern for Babcock initially, but he met the challenge head-on by supporting school visits that required him to brief groups of teenagers and give talks about aircraft artefacts.

He also briefed his peers after attending Safety Review Group and Health and Safety meetings.

Work-based learning has transformed Ebony Riordan from a nervous and anxious teenager who left education during the Covid pandemic to a university student with a mission to qualify as a teacher.

Ebony’s inspirational journey began with Achieve More Training where she enrolled on the Job Growth Wales+ programme and achieved Levels 1 and 2 Sport Coaching qualifications.

A successful work experience placement at Ysgol Maesglas in Holywell followed and Ebony went on to achieve a Foundation Apprenticeship for Teaching Assistants and an Apprenticeship in Specialist Support Teaching and Learning.

She has now progressed to higher education to pursue a career as a qualified teacher supporting young people from care settings or with additional learning needs.