The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has won an award for its work encouraging apprentices to 'reach for the stars.'

The health board received the Macro Employer of the Year title at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024.

This celebrated the investment in staff recruitment and career development with apprenticeships since 2006.

Almost 900 people have joined the Apprenticeship Academy since its 2018 launch.

Their dual focus of upskilling existing staff and welcoming newcomers with apprenticeships has successfully addressed the recruitment and staffing challenge.

Emma Bendle, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s apprenticeship and widening access co-ordinator, said: "I think this amazing award is recognition and validation for the work we have done so far and we will build on this success.

"I have been in post for the past five years and for me, personally, it feels like the passion and hard work has paid off for everybody I have recruited as an apprentice or members of staff who have been able to progress.

"Apprenticeships have opened the door to new opportunities for everybody."

Apprenticeships are tailored to match varying levels of skill and ability, promoting a more inclusive approach.

Multiple partners have played a role in providing the wealth of apprenticeship programmes at the health board, with ACT, Talk Training, Educ8, ALS Training and Cardiff and Vale College collaborating with the health board.

The event, organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), is a highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers.

EAL, the skills partner and awarding organisation for industry, sponsored the awards.

Al Parkes, managing director at EAL, extended his congratulations to all involved: "I would like to congratulate not just the health board and the other award winners, but all the employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners who were nominated."

Simon Pirotte OBE, chief executive of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, emphasised the broader significance: "I want to congratulate all the finalists and winners.

"Stories like theirs drive home the high impact that apprenticeships can have, helping people to find fulfilling employment and contributing to Wales’ skills system.

"They will be a crucial part of the newly founded Commission for Tertiary Education and Research.

“Showcasing their achievements is important as it inspires more people to consider apprenticeships and encourages more employers to take on apprentices.”