ACT’s partnerships providing outstanding learning opportunities

Successful training provider ACT Limited, which works in collaboration with a network of partners to improve the quality of delivery and experience for learners across Wales, is in contention to win a major award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2015.

The Cardiff-based company is one of two finalists in the Provider Award for Partnership Working category at the high profile awards ceremony to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Thursday, October 29.

The coveted awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have exceeded expectations, shown a dynamic approach to training and demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation, creativity and commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.

Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and media partner is Media Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

Since ACT Limited was established in 1988, it has developed hundreds of symbiotic relationships with corporate partners, 23 sub-contractors, schools and the wider work-based learning network to deliver positive outcomes for young people.

The company, winner of the Provider Award for Social Responsiveness in last year’s awards, has 2,161 learners on its books and the ACT network as a whole delivers learning programmes to 4,331 individuals across Wales. Traineeship, Apprenticeship and Learning for Work programmes are delivered across 22 different sectors by the network.

“ACT is passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities and share this vision with its partners to ensure that there is a common purpose to working together,” said Jayne McGill-Harris, ACT’s marketing and public relations manager.

Relationships have been developed with key partners, including British Gas and the NHS in Wales, NatWest and Barclays banks, Careers Wales and Job Centre Plus.

ACT has also set up two ‘schools’ to offer an alternative for 14-16 year old pupils who are disengaged with mainstream education and Estyn has cited the company for good practice for its work with learners from under-represented community groups.

One of ACT’s network of training providers is Talk Training, whose operations director, Alison Anthony, said: “The partnership provides opportunities to offer a wider variety of qualifications, complementing broader learner and employer engagement.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James congratulated ACT Limited and the other 36 award finalists. “We have some truly exceptional apprentices here in Wales and the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provide a perfect platform for us to celebrate their hard work and achievements,” she said.

“Equally important are the training providers and employers who go the extra mile to support their apprentices. Developing skilled young people is vital for our economy. The Welsh Government is committed to training programmes such as Apprenticeships but investment must be a shared responsibility with the education sector, businesses and individuals.”