National award for learner who moved from Africa to start a new life in Wales

A teenager who has her sights on a teaching career after moving half way around the world to begin a new life in South Wales has won a prestigious national award.

Jessica Apps, 19, from Forge Side, Blaenavon, was named Traineeship Learner of the Year (Engagement) at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021 virtual ceremony on June 17.

Despite arriving in Wales from Botswana with GCSE grade equivalents, Jessica was unable to join a college which led to her losing confidence and feeling lonely until she joined Sgiliau Cyf who described her as a “superb role model”.

A Traineeship Creative Engagement Programme, which allowed Jessica to develop her passion for photography and creative writing, restored her confidence. She also achieved a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and made a lot of new friends.

She is now studying ‘A’ levels in Sociology, Photography and Literature at Coleg Gwent and hopes to go to university to study sociology and become a teacher.

Responding to her award, Jessica said: “This award means so much to me. I was so nervous before moving to Wales and wondered if I was doing the right thing. The award shows me that I am doing something right.

“Sgiliau Cyf and my family have provided me with the support and motivation to be the best that I can be. Doing a Traineeship was definitely worthwhile as it changed my whole life here in Wales and I am now looking forward to starting university in September.”

Celebrating outstanding achievement in training and apprenticeships, the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021 saw 35 finalists compete in 12 categories.

Highlight of the work-based learning calendar, the awards showcased businesses and individuals who have excelled on the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship Programmes and gone the extra mile to achieve success during these unprecedented times.

Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the awards had Openreach, the UK’s digital network business and passionate supporter of apprenticeships, as the headline sponsor.

The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund. Welsh Government Apprenticeship Programmes have benefitted 50,360 people across South East Wales since May 2016.

Jessica, who moved to Wales with her mum and younger sister, wants to continue volunteering with Sgiliau Cyf to help other young people who feel disengaged from employment and learning as she once did.

“I can’t thank Sgiliau enough for helping me grow into who I am today,” she said. “I have always wanted to help people and I really enjoy volunteering with the company, which has encouraged me to want to be a teacher.”

Congratulating Jessica, Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “Our award winners have excelled via the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes and gone the extra mile to achieve success during unprecedented and extremely challenging times.

“This Welsh Government has ambitious recovery plans to ensure there is no lost generation as we rebuild a new version of Wales that becomes an engine for sustainable, inclusive growth. I believe apprenticeships will be vital as we emerge from the pandemic.

“That’s why the new Welsh Government has committed to creating a further 125,000 Apprenticeship places over the next five years. We are a small country but we have big ambitions, and our aim is to create a culture in Wales where recruiting an apprentice becomes the norm for employers.”