North Wales Work Based Learning Awards 2025

William Holmes demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation by introducing defibrillators in care settings as part of a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5) in Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care Practice.

Dedicated to improving health and social care services, William came up with the project to not only introduce the life-saving defibrillators but also to train staff how to use them in an emergency, as part of their care for the elderly or vulnerable.

This focus on education and training not only increased staff confidence in handling emergency situations but also raised overall awareness of the importance of cardiac health.

The project involved conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis, assessing the long-term benefits of defibrillator use within the organisation, liaising with suppliers and organising training.

Naomi Archer has been praised for her exceptional dedication, hard work and strong commitment to her job at Ysgol Tir Morfa, an additional learning needs school in Rhyl.

Having achieved a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Business Administration, she consistently exceeded expectations in her assessments and work. Showing a strong commitment to personal development, she seeks out opportunities to gain experience and grow.

Her digital expertise has been of great value to the school’s strategic Net Zero plan and she is secretary to the school board of governors. A collaborator with a strong work ethic, Naomi has contributed to a local community challenge to collect books for the young people.

“Naomi is an exceptional apprentice who deserves to be recognised for her hard work, dedication and talent,” said her tutor. “She has a bright future ahead of her.”

Darren Morris is using the skills and knowledge he gained by completing a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5) in Leadership and Management to benefit both Flintshire County Council Youth Services and customers.

He is now more confident about making strategic decisions and he has guided his team towards organisational success. Through implementing effective strategies, Darren has fostered better communication and boosted overall productivity.

The Higher Apprenticeship has not only bolstered his leadership and management capabilities, but also tangibly enhanced service delivery and he has become a role model within his team for progression and development.

Darren’s contribution to the strategic objectives of the Integrated Youth Programme has increased stakeholder participation and a tracking and evaluations system he introduced is providing valuable data to support grant applications.