Bluestone’s Keri-Ann Evans is one of 27 finalists who will compete for this year’s Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by Cambrian Training Company, one of Wales’ top work-based learning providers.

Employers and learners from across Wales who have excelled in apprenticeship programmes will be celebrated at an awards dinner later this month.

The prestigious awards, to be held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells on May 22, will celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices and employers who are committed to apprenticeships.

Finalists for Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award are: Jan Gric, Nazareth House, Cardiff; Laura Harding, The Green Giraffe Nursery, Cardiff and Robert Stephens, ESS-Compass, Crickhowell. Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are: Kieran Ray, Celtic Manor, Newport; Keri-Ann Evans, Bluestone, Narberth and Eveline Maria Meerdink, Robinsons, Conwy. Higher Apprentice of the Year finalists are Anna Tommis, Stenaline, Holyhead and Tina Barry, Sirius Skills Consulting Ltd, Mountain Ash.

Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are: Stewart Wooles, ESS-Compass, Crickhowell; Sam Hoyland, JNP Legal, Merthyr Tydfil; Anne Lucas, Bluebird Home Care, Cowbridge;  Andrew John Ogborne, Ogborne to Drive, Llanelli; Rajani Gurung, Woodside Care Home, Port Talbot; Ethan Wodecki, Vale Resort, Hensol;  Mike Evans, Sirius Skills, Mountain Ash;  Dobromila Illieva, Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey; Adri Razumnova, Celtic Collection’s The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff and Emma Purcell, Little Red Berries Day Nursery, Cwmbran.

Small Employer of the Year Award finalists are: Fleetsauce, Wrexham; Kings Arms, Cardiff; Crown Inn and Coffi Fach, Bridgend. Medium Employer of the Year Award finalists are: The Green Giraffe Nursery, Cardiff, Puffin Produce Ltd, Haverfordwest and Nazareth House, Cardiff. Large Employer of the Year finalists are: The Celtic Collection, Newport and Vale Resort, Hensol.

Faith O’Brien, Cambrian Training Company’s managing director, said: “The awards ceremony is a time of celebration, not just for the apprentices and employers themselves but for everyone who has had the privilege of being part of their journey. 

“We come together to celebrate the dedication and commitment by individuals and companies playing a crucial role in driving the economy forward and supporting the apprenticeship programme here in Wales.”