Andrew Bevan - Team leader for Apprenticeships and skills -

Andrew has over 20yrs experience of the employability Sector and worked on varying projects within this time. Andrew has been part of the programme since 2017 and has been coordinating the project and has help fulfil the programme outputs throughout. "this programme has been a great opportunity to work with so many young people to help them with there apprenticeship journey and progress into a future within advanced manufacturing"

Graham Rees - Senior Employer Engagement Officer

Graham has over 25 years experience working on numerous successful employability project across Blaenau Gwent and recently the wider Cardiff Capital Region. Some of these projects have included the JCP Stargate Project, The Jobmatch Project  the Award Winning Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme and most recently supporting the Cardiff Capital Region with the Venture Project supporting recently qualified Graduates into work.

“ I have always enjoyed supporting people of all ages and backgrounds into employment / apprenticeship opportunities. The Aspire Project gives me an opportunity to support young Engineering Students into Advanced Manufacturing Companies, and taking their first steps into a long and rewarding career.”

Julie Robins - Aspire Mentor ( specialising in the apprentices based within Advanced Manufacturing)

Julie has over for 22 years with experience across many directorates, Education, Social Services, and Regeneration all of which has involved supporting people into Education and Training.

Julie has been part of the Programme since 2016, throughout this time, she has been a mentor within the Programme. Working with Host Employers, and apprentices, to gain opportunities and real experience, through their full journey, from advertising opportunities, sourcing students. Work experience, and interview.

"Working with so many young people and helping local businesses, updating staff and skills, has been an enjoyable experience, which has given me great pride to be involved in"

Dawn Thomas - Aspire Mentor (Specializing in the LA internal apprenticeship Programme)

Dawn has worked within education and employability for 25 years and has particularly enjoyed helping young people gain employability skills and seeing them progress in their chosen career. ‘Working with Aspire has given me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of young people, helping them access opportunities within the Local Authority and our partners which is very fulfilling’.

Lewis Street - Aspire Mentor ( Specializes with apprentices within Advanced Manufacturing and the Internal Programme)

Lewis has nigh on fifteen years experience of working with hard to reach youths, he has been involved in employability and personal development programmes throughout this time. Lewis has worked on the programme since October 2023 mentoring a number of Apprentices in the Engineering sector, as well as internal council apprentices. “Working with Aspire has been a thoroughly interesting experience, learning of the diverse nature of Engineering that still exists in the South Wales Valleys. It is a pleasure to work with the Apprentices, watching them forge successful careers in the industry”.   

Alison Hodgins - Aspire office Administration

Alison has over 30  years in various  roles. Departments include ,Environment, Housing . Adult Education . Schools ,Social Services and Regeneration

7 of those year with the Aspire team as the Administrative officers dealing with apprentice HR , payments and sickness .

Being part of this team has allowed Alison to work with colleagues who really invest their time in the young apprentices to enhance their future skills.

Another win for Aspire Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil Shared Apprenticeship Programme at Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021

The Blaenau Gwent Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme Team along with their partner Aspire Merthyr Tydfil have won the ‘Large Employer of The Year’ award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021 (AAC), which took place on 17th June at a virtual awards ceremony. The award category recognises and celebrates the employer’s commitment to developing their workforce through apprenticeships, whilst also supporting their employees during training.

To reach the award finals is an outstanding achievement as there are many established organisations competing for such a prestigious award. Finalists included  Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police and DOW Silicones UK Ltd. The Blaenau Gwent Aspire and Merthyr teams knew they had performed exceptionally well just to make the final stages, so to win was more than anyone expected. However, Blaenau Gwent Aspire had won the award in 2019 which now makes them ‘two-time’ winners of this distinguished title.

The AAC showcases excellence in skills development throughout Wales and celebrates the outstanding achievement of learners and employers – Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme has now been acknowledged again for their outstanding dedication, apprentice employment record and their ability to work with key partners, such as Coleg Y Cymoedd and local companies. This has been achieved by working closely with Welsh Government, Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone Board, Blaenau Gwent CBC and Merthyr Tydfil CBC.

Aspire Blaenau Gwent were established in 2015 and Aspire Merthyr Tydfil in 2017, the eight-strong team specialises in providing the manufacturing and engineering businesses of Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr with apprentices to foster the next generation of skilled workers through apprenticeships

To date, they boast an impressive 100% record of apprentices being employed through the programme. The Aspire team have already been acknowledged for their outstanding dedication and apprentice record at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2019 where they won in the very same category.

Richard Crook, Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services says:  

“What a brilliant result for the team who have only recently formed the partnership between Aspire Blaenau Gwent and Aspire Merthyr. A truly outstanding outcome for the both especially Aspire Blaenau Gwent who have now won this award for the second time. This is yet another example of successful partnership working that has shown our commitment to developing and supporting apprenticeships, despite the challenges of COVID-19”.

Councillor David Davies Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development added:

“These awards are a brilliant opportunity to demonstrate, celebrate and showcase the importance of apprenticeships throughout Wales, whilst highlighting the incredible hard work of individuals, employers and providers. A huge congratulation to the Blaenau Gwent Aspire and Aspire Merthyr teams who are making a great contribution through their Shared Apprenticeship Programme. I am so proud of what has been achieved as the competition in this category was extremely high, which makes the win even more impressive”.

The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru are organised jointly by the National Training Federation for Wales and Welsh Government and via a distinguished panel of judges have brought together 34 worthy finalists from all parts of Wales. The Awards are organised jointly by the National Training Federation for Wales and Welsh Government and via a distinguished panel of judges have brought together 35 worthy finalists in 12 categories from all parts of Wales.

SAW PArtnership Awards

The award recognises partnership working, between two or more providers within Skills Academy Wales or a collaboration with external stakeholders. This demonstrates an impact within teaching, learning and assessment which enhances the learner experience and/or responds to skills shortages and employer needs.

Skills Academy Wales was established in October 2009 as the first Work-Based Learning Partnership of its kind in Wales. It was created in response to challenges outlined within the Welsh Transformation Agenda for Post-16 Education. The Partnership brought together a diverse range of outstanding and like-minded Work Based Learning providers. They continue to lead on these challenges by widening the options available for all learners and reducing costly duplication of provision.

Since 1st August 2010, the Partnership has been operating as a single contact with the Welsh Government. This is led by the NPTC Group of Colleges for the delivery of work-based learning programmes. The College currently holds one of the largest commissions with Welsh Government to provide the widest range of Apprenticeships in over 58 vocational areas, ranging from Level 2 to 5.

SAW currently delivers across a very diverse geographical area covering Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Flintshire, Wrexham, Powys, Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Team Manager Connected Communities, Tara Lane, said:

“It is such an achievement to be presented with this award which acknowledges how the Aspire Programme recognises the importance of partnership work. I would like to congratulated the team on their dedication and commitment, especially when chosen amongst so many other outstanding partners within the Skills Academy Wales partnership group.” Approval not confirmed

Aspire Blaenau Gwent were established in 2015 and the six strong Team specialises in providing the Manufacturing and Engineering businesses of Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr with apprentices. To date, they boast an impressive 100% record of apprentices being employed through the programme upon completion of their apprenticeship. The Aspire team have already been acknowledged for their outstanding dedication and apprentice record at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2019 and 2021 where they won in the Large Employer of the Year category.

There are a number of ways we can help you including:

• Identifying training opportunities

• help with CVs and job applications

• support with interviews

• DBS applications

• work experience placements

• traineeships (Jobs Growth Wales Plus)

• apprenticeships

We can help you find work experience and traineeship placements in a range of departments in Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and its partners. Whilst work experience is unpaid work Traineeships are available for young people aged 16-19 and participants receive a training allowance of up to £70 per week. The placements you can expect to work in are diverse, from business admin and leisure through to waste recycling and catering. The Aspire Mentor and 14+ team will work closely with you to make sure you get a placement which will give you valuable work experience to unlock your potential and prepare you for your future career. They will be there to help and support you every step of the way.

Gaining experience in the work environment will benefit you in so many different ways. Firstly, a traineeship will help you decide what career you might enjoy and the skills you will need to develop. For many of you this might be your first experience in a working environment, so it will help you find out what you enjoy and what you don’t and help you decide if the path you chose for your placement is one you would like to pursue into employment.

Whether or not you choose to work in the same area as your placement, you will get the opportunity to learn and develop skills which will be transferable in any area of work you pursue, and of course, this will help you to build your CV. Competition for jobs is fierce and completing a traineeship will make you stand out from the crowd. It will show prospective employers that you are motivated and have committed to develop your skills by gaining experience in a working environment. Furthermore, when applying for jobs in the future you will be able to ask your placement supervisor or manager to provide a reference.

Completing work experience or a traineeship with Blaenau Gwent Council is beneficial as it is the largest employer in Blaenau Gwent with placement opportunities in a wide range of departments. We can also access placements with partners such as Aneurin Leisure and Ty Calon, meaning placements are local and accessible. Successful completion of work experience or a traineeship could leave you in a better position to apply for a corporate apprenticeship or even a job.

Aspire are partnered with Venture Venture Specialists - Venture (venturewales.org) and work closely to engage with employers throughout the Northern Vallies promoting all services to help employers engage with Apprentices and Graduates.

Since it began, Aspire has stood as a flagship initiative - a shining example of what can be achieved when industry, education, Welsh Government, and local government come together with a shared vision.

Aspire has supported over 200 apprentices in Blaenau Gwent, with its sister programme in Merthyr Tydfil also making a remarkable impact, supporting over 150 apprentices in just seven years. Apprenticeships have been secured within the Council and with local businesses in fields including engineering, health and social care, sports development, education and learning, pharmaceutical, IT, finance and many more.

Cllr John Morgan, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy & Place, says:

“Aspire has been a cornerstone of our commitment to skills development and creating employment here in Blaenau Gwent. It’s been a hugely successful 10 years, and we continue the good work. We’ve seen young people grow in confidence, develop vital skills, and nurture ambition - many of whom are now leading in their fields. From the very beginning, Aspire has been driven by a clear mission, to create aspirational opportunities for young people, and it’s certainly delivered on that. Thanks to all our partners for their support and commitment to the skills agenda.”

The Aspire team actively recruits from all secondary schools in the county borough and local colleges, as well as supporting those in the wider community, to ensure that opportunities are accessible to a wide and diverse range of learners.

Cllr Morgan added:

“We’re also proud of our commitment to inclusivity. Over the years, we’ve welcomed a growing number of female apprentices, and that number continues to rise year on year—a testament to Aspire’s dedication to breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes within the sector.”

Former ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Declan Hughes was at the event. He says:

“I joined the scheme in 2015, right at its inception, and I couldn’t have imagined the journey it would set in motion. With incredible support from the team, I gained multiple qualifications -including NVQs, HNCs, and a university degree - that laid the foundations for my career in engineering. Today, I’m proud to work as a Quality Engineer at Aumovio (formerly Continental), a role that’s taken me across Europe and connected me with inspiring professionals. The scheme’s team-building events helped forge lasting friendships and valuable networks, many of which continue to thrive. During my time in the programme, I was honoured to receive both ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and ‘Role Model of the Year’. Now, I enjoy giving back by mentoring new apprentices and celebrating how far the scheme has come. I’m proud to have been part of its first decade - and I’m excited for what’s next.”

By acting as the employer, Aspire removes barriers for businesses, particularly SME's, while providing apprentices with consistent high quality training, mentoring and pastoral support. This approach ensures continuity, progress and well being for learners, while enabling employers to access skilled talent. Aspire demonstrates how local government led collaboration can deliver sustainable workforce development and lasting economic and social impact.