AN £11m contract from the Welsh Government is helping North Wales' leading apprenticeships provider to support post-Covid economic recovery in the region.

For more than 10 years, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Arfon Dwyfor Training and North Wales Training - working collaboratively through the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Work-Based Learning Consortium - have delivered 20,000 apprenticeships in North Wales.

The renewed Welsh Government 'Apprenticeships Commissioning Programme Wales Framework Agreement 2021-25' has been awarded to the Consortium as one of the leading providers in Wales. It will help ensure that employers and individuals in North Wales can continue to access high quality training and skills development.

This will create opportunities to develop high value, long-term job opportunities for individuals and help employers retain the right staff as they recover and rebuild following what has been an exceptionally challenging time for businesses.

Paul Bevan, executive director - Commercial Development at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai said: "As a Consortium, we have a solid track record in delivering excellence in the form of apprenticeships.

"Apprenticeships provide a foundation for economic recovery, offering value and opportunities for employers to build a skilled workforce as well as creating successful careers for individuals.

"Through the Welsh Government Framework Agreement, we can continue to work together to support the North Wales economy and to respond flexibly to the current and future needs of local businesses and employees."

"Apprenticeships are a key part of the solution as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Investment in people, especially those leaving education, will ultimately give a welcome boost to the North Wales economy," Mr Bevan added.

"We have seen a massive increase in demand for apprenticeships over the past few months including hospitality where employers are crying out for skilled workers to fill vacancies.

"Our job is to work with others to develop long term, quality employment opportunities in North Wales, and help employers recruit and retain staff who have the right skills."

Siôn Wyn Owen and Jasmine Brown recently completed apprenticeships in Hospitality and Digital Marketing respectively. They have both secured jobs and are already enjoying a successful start to their careers.

Siôn was awarded the Overall Apprentice of the Year title at the 2021 Apprenticeship Awards, hosted jointly by Busnes@Llandrillo Menai on behalf of the Work-Based Learning Consortium.

Since completing his apprenticeship, Siôn, who also won the Hospitality and Welsh Medium Apprentice awards, has secured a job as a chef at the Ty’n Rhos Country House Hotel near Caernarfon.

He said: "I decided to become an apprentice because I wanted to learn more about the hospitality industry, improve myself as a person and learn as much as I could.

"I've been working in the industry for about six years - I started off washing dishes. I could see the chefs at work and that made me want to develop my skills.

"The apprenticeship has been brilliant and has given me so much more confidence. I'd recommend it to anyone, it's a great way to learn and get qualifications.

"My ultimate goal is to open my own restaurant. I'd call it 'Sylvia's' after my grandmother because she's been my biggest inspiration."

Jasmine, who won the IT & Digital Apprentice of the Year at the same awards, works for Tute, a North Wales based company delivering online education across the UK.

She said: "I wasn't quite sure what to do with my future, to carry on in education or get a job. So an apprenticeship suited me really well.

"My employer has been absolutely fantastic throughout. Because Tute is a fairly small business, we weren't sure what exactly my role would be. But we managed to work together, and with my assessor, to create a post which suits me and the business.

"The apprenticeship really helped me identify what I want to do, and found me the perfect job in a field I probably wouldn't have thought of.

"I finished the apprenticeship last year and I've already been promoted to marketing and graphic design co-ordinator, so hopefully I have a long and successful career ahead within the company."