Laura Riley, who undertook a��Digital Learning Practitioners apprenticeship��with the training provider, recently received the Jisc Digital Student Award for Positively Embracing Education Technology.

The title is a huge achievement for Laura, who originally signed up for her qualification when she was given the role of digital support for the school that she works in.

At the time, Laura’s digital skills were very low and she was keen to make improvements so she could better support her students with digital technology.

Laura has been described as a ‘lovely’ and ‘dedicated’ member of staff, working as a teaching assistant in the pupil referral unit of Bridge Achievement Centre for the past 12 years.

“The place would fall apart without her,” says Centre Manager Amanda Veater.

“Laura develops excellent relationships with pupils and her colleagues and is a popular member of staff. Laura is incredibly organised and very good at managing her time. We’re all very proud of her achievements.”

91�ȱ�’s Digital Learning Practitioner Assessor, Jolene Plant, added: “At the beginning of her course, Laura’s confidence in general was low but carrying out the qualification and being able to interact with other learners gave Laura a massive boost.

“It was amazing to see how her confidence grew over the 18 months that she was on programme.”

The Digital Learning Practitioners apprenticeship is aimed at anyone in a teaching or training role. It covers many key aspects of learning using digital technology and explores a range of different application software packages and new technologies to better equip education professionals with the ever-changing landscape they are working in.

You can learn more about the qualification by watching learner Donna’s story in the video below.

Find more details on the course��here.

Aminah, who works at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council as a Carbon and Energy apprentice, has been��putting her learning to good use in her day-to-day work.

Aminah’s role involves managing energy metering data across more than 30 individual sites; something directly relevant to the teaching of the course, which looks at the management of energy consumption.

“The qualification helped further expand my knowledge around metering, which I can now apply to my day-to-day duties,” Aminah explained.

As well as this, her involvement in energy reduction projects, such as solar panels and LED lighting initiatives, has greatly benefited from the project management element of the qualification.

“The module was particularly helpful in allowing me to learn how to structure my projects and the necessary steps required to ensure projects are completed correctly,” she added. “I enjoy running projects in my role and would like to continue doing so throughout my career. Learning how to structure and execute projects successfully was really useful.”

The Excel module proved to be another valuable aspect of the apprenticeship.

“Since completing this, I have learnt different tricks and tips that I now implement into my spreadsheets, which help me carry out my day-to-day tasks more effectively.”

But the standout aspect of her apprenticeship experience was the behavioural change unit. Aminah and her team at the council launched a behavioural change initiative aimed at educating staff on energy consciousness, both at work and at home.

“The behavioural change unit went hand-in-hand with what we were trying to achieve,” she said. I believe this is an area that everyone can learn about and implement not only in the workplace but in everyday life.

“Having a culture of employees who are energy conscious is a great benefit not only for the organisation but also for the overall health of the planet and to help achieve 91�ȱ� net zero goals.”

Throughout her apprenticeship, Aminah received support from 91�ȱ�, particularly her tutor,��Michelle Marshall, who provided monthly check-ins and was available for any queries and concerns.

Aminah’s employer also played a crucial role in her success, with bi-weekly meetings dedicated to discussing her progress and addressing any concerns.

Aminah is now embarking on an exciting new role as a Mechanical Compliance Officer within the council. She is eager to apply the skills gained from her apprenticeship to her new position, ensuring that energy efficiency remains a core consideration in her responsibilities. She also plans to further her education by pursuing part-time degree courses.

You can learn more about 91�ȱ�’s Energy and Carbon Management qualification��here.

Karl currently works as a Delivery Manager at Newport City Council and is now working towards his Level 5 qualification. Until recently, he managed four significant projects, including the DWP Restart Programme – the UK government’s flagship employability scheme – as well as various 91�ȱ� and Shared Prosperity Fund initiatives. His work involves managing staff and budgets, monitoring performance and compliance, and leading organisational change.

“There’s a lot of change within these projects,” Karl said. “When we have different budgets, it often means changes to delivery, staffing structures, or even what the project looks like. That’s where the ILM has really helped me – it’s given me new tools to work with.”

Despite his vast experience, Karl had never obtained a formal management qualification before enrolling on the��ILM Level 4.��Encouraged by his HR business partner, he saw the course as a way to validate his skills and future-proof his career.

“I’ve done lots of internal training, but nothing accredited. And sometimes when you go for jobs, they say you need a degree or a relevant qualification. I haven’t got a degree, so this helps me tick that box.”

Initially hesitant about returning to structured learning Karl found the course to be a practical and accessible route into formal learning. Balancing study with a demanding job and active family life can be challenging but both 91�ȱ� and the council made the process manageable.

“We’ve got an agreement in work that 20% of our time can be used for learning,” he explained. “91�ȱ� have been brilliant. [My tutors] Rachel and Joanna understood that my personal time is tight, so they helped me fit the work into my working day where possible.”

He also appreciated the flexible format of the course. “The mix of written and oral assignments helped me manage my time. I prefer the talking side – I can sit and talk about anything – and I think it’s a faster way to demonstrate what you know.”

Karl found the content of the course immediately applicable to his role. Topics such as managing change, health and safety, recruitment, and strategic planning all resonated with his daily responsibilities.

“The managing change unit stood out because that’s such a big part of what I do. Same with recruitment, I’ve inherited projects with poor recruitment and it’s caused a lot of problems. The course has helped me identify the right people, not just in terms of skills but also team fit.”

He also praised the strategic planning modules. “When we were delivering Shared Prosperity Fund projects, I had to write cabinet briefings and business cases to justify our work. That’s where the strategic planning element came in. I was able to identify gaps in service delivery and make the case for new projects.”

He also found simple analysis tools like SWOT and PESTLE made a difference. “These help you plan and justify decisions. Sometimes they’re just a way to check yourself and make sure you’re on the right track.”

Despite learning a lot of new skills throughout the course, it was just as much about honing the skills Karl had already garnered throughout his career.

“I’ve been managing since 2008, this course hasn’t just helped me do my job better – it’s given me recognised qualifications that back up my experience.”

While Karl currently has no plans to leave his role, he sees the ILM qualifications as a key part of his long-term career development. “It validates my experience. If I ever do want to move – within the council, to another local authority, or even another industry – it gives me options.”

From an organisation’s perspective, work-based learning has also been a positive at all different levels of operation. Jane Westwood, HR Business Partner at Newport City Council, explained: “The council have partnered with 91�ȱ� as our main workplace apprenticeship partner for more than eight years now.

“The range of qualifications offered fits in with the diverse roles throughout the whole council – from refuse collection, to caring, to accounts, and health and safety. There will always be the appropriate qualification to align with someone’s roles.

“We also introduced apprentices to the council where we particularly wanted to recruit younger people to join the authority. To date we have placed more than��45 specific apprentice roles with many achieving permanent positions.

“The way 91�ȱ� deliver their qualifications allow all staff options to upskill – for their current role or for their career progression.

“At Newport City Council we believe our staff are our priority as they deliver our services to the public.��To have staff trained allows us to deliver the best service possible,��91�ȱ� work with the individuals and their managers to achieve this.”

Explore 91�ȱ�’s management qualifications��here.

Nathan Emary has been studying IT, alongside Essential Skills, and was drawn to the JGW+ pathway after finishing school as it offered him work experience and a chance to earn money. This was particularly of interest to Nathan who was building a PC at the time and wanted to gain some additional IT skills as well as funds to be able to finance the project.

“The atmosphere [within JGW+] is like no other,” he said. “I get along with all the learners there and the class is very welcoming. My tutor Matt is the best, I’ve never clicked with anyone in the role like him and the way he lets everyone learn at their own pace is very refreshing – it definitely allows me to fully take in anything he is teaching.

“He will also be happy to go over anything with me personally and is always available for a general chat even with teaching multiple students at once.”

Nathan will now be heading to Legal and General and undertaking a foundation apprentice in Customer Services and Providing Financial Services with����He will be responsible for checking and processing documents.

“My time at 91�ȱ� has definitely helped me with the hybrid work environment I will have at Legal and General as we are virtual 2-3 days a week.

“[In terms of skills gained at 91�ȱ�] communication and collaboration are key and these have helped me significantly.”

Despite just landing the role, Nathan is keen to not rest on his laurels and has big aspirations for his future career.

“In the long term I would like to be in charge of my own company. I want to move up in Legal and General, gaining the most experience and qualifications, and hopefully moving to a managing position. I eventually want to start my own business involving smart technology.”

Matthew Hillier, Nathan’s IT tutor at 91�ȱ�, said: “Nathan has been an absolute pleasure to have in IT on JGW+. Supporting Nathan to grow and develop through the course has been a privilege and I am inspired by of all of the progress he has made and the challenges he has overcome.

“Nathan has now secured an amazing opportunity with Legal & General, which I am confident he will excel in and prove to be a strong asset to the company. I am enormously proud of Nathan and wish him all of the very best with his future.”

If you are 16 to 19 years old and would like to learn more about Jobs Growth Wales + you can find further details and courses��here.

Though firmly established now,��Ethan’s journey began in a completely different field.

“I started with JGW+ in 2023. At first, I thought I wanted to go into childcare,” he explained. “But JGW+ and 91�ȱ� have supported me through every twist and turn. They helped me discover the career I didn’t know was meant for me.”

After exploring different routes, including retail, it was a simple suggestion from his tutor, Kayleigh Carter, that changed everything. “I suggested he try out hairdressing,” she said. “From day one, it just clicked for him. He’s thrown himself into it ever since and has really found his spark, hairdressing suits him perfectly.”

Ethan��says the hands-on elements of the JGW+ programme were what drew him in.

“As a learner, I loved the practical side. It gave me a real insight into what it would be like to be a hairdresser. The theory was explained well too, it made everything easier to understand.”

But the path wasn’t always smooth. His first salon placement wasn’t the right fit. “I felt like I couldn’t reach my full potential there,” he said. “I raised my concerns with JGW+ and 91�ȱ�, and they supported me completely. I was out of placement for three months, but they kept me going, helping with coursework and practical training in-centre.”

Then came a turning point in December 2024.��Ethan��started at a new salon and everything changed. “I found a salon that I can see myself in forever. It restored my confidence completely. Now I’ve been taken on as a Level 2 apprentice, and I’m being pushed to reach my full potential every day.”

Kayleigh, a JGW+ Skills Tutor at 91�ȱ�, has seen first-hand how far��Ethan��has come. “Ethan��is a really kind and friendly person who’s always up for giving things a go,” she said. “He wasn’t sure what direction he wanted to take at first, but he stuck with it and kept pushing forward. I’m very proud of him.”

Talking about the support he received from 91�ȱ�,��Ethan��said: “They were always there whether it was about placements, coursework, or even personal struggles. They never let me fall behind. Kayleigh, in particular, has been amazing. Nothing was ever too much for her. She really encouraged me to stick with what I was good at.”

Looking ahead,��Ethan��has a clear path to follow. “My goal is to complete both Level 2 and Level 3 in hairdressing and barbering,” he explained. “I want to keep growing in the salon and maybe one day specialise in a particular area.

“None of this would have been possible without JGW+ and 91�ȱ�. I’m forever grateful.”

For those considering JGW+ as a post-16 education route,��Ethan��shared: “Do it! There are no limits with this programme. They’ll do everything they can to get you on the career ladder and into the profession that’s right for you.”

Find out more about JGW+��here.

Angelina, 28, who works for training provider 91�ȱ� in Cardiff, pioneered the delivery of the Digital Learning Design Apprenticeship Framework in Wales.

Lucy Wilkinson, 91�ȱ�’s digital services route manager, explained: “Angelina navigated the delivery of this qualification independently as, at the time, she was the only assessor for this qualification in Wales. Her drive and commitment to her continuous professional development within the digital industries is exceptional.”

Last night, Angelina was named Work-based Learning Practitioner of the Year at the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022. The awards highlight the outstanding achievements, during unprecedented times, of employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners.

A former secondary school teacher of modern foreign languages, Angelina joined 91�ȱ� as a trainee assessor in 2018 as she was looking for a new career challenge and wanted to help others become tech savvy.

To ensure that she fully understands her learners’ journey, she has herself completed the apprenticeships that she delivers as well as learning Welsh so that she can deliver bilingually too.

Angelina, who lives in Cardiff and is originally from The Netherlands, has been so successful at learning the language that she won the Work Welsh Learner of the Year Award (intermediate) from the National Centre for Learning Welsh. She is fluent in five languages.

Learners and employers love her and she is her team’s top performer – 90% of her learners complete their qualification and she achieves an 88% employer engagement rating.

She also supports and oversees digital services route learners at 91�ȱ� and is constantly upskilling herself to keep pace with technology and qualifications.

Prior to the pandemic, she had already adapted to remote learning and introduced 20-minute themed discussions on a topic to enable her learners to achieve the knowledge part of their apprenticeship. This assessment method has been adopted as best practice by her peers.

Her personal qualifications include a Bachelor of Education degree specialising in French teaching, a Minor in Multi Media Design, Apprenticeships in Social Media for Business, Training Assessing and Internal Quality Assurance.

“Angelina leads by example,” added Lucy. “Her educational development has taken place internationally, which has enabled her to observe best practice from some of the leading educational countries in the world. Angelina goes over and above to share her knowledge and skills with colleagues and learners alike.”

On being shortlisted, Angelina said: “I’m really happy that I have been shortlisted for Work-based Learning Practitioner of the Year, as it means a lot to me. It shows that others feel that I am making a difference in organisations and schools in Wales.

I work really hard and hope that the things I’ve learned at university and in work are of use to other tutors, teachers and curriculum developers.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething congratulated Angelina and all the finalists. “Apprenticeships make a huge contribution to our economy and will be crucial as Wales continues to bounce back from the pandemic. They can help futureproof, motivate and diversify a workforce, offering people the chance to gain high-quality vocational skills.”

Since he began working at the Chepstow-based care home, Callum’s confidence and career prospects have soared.

“When I was in school I found it very hard with the discipline that was in place. I struggled with the teachers as they didn’t understand me and this impacted on my grades. I find the apprenticeship route much better for me.”

Now aged 18, Callum is a Care Assistant and is undertaking his Health & Social Care Level 2 qualification with 91�ȱ�.��In his role, he ensures all the residents are provided with the one-to-one care and support they need and assists them with any additional tasks they need help with.

I love making a difference to the lives of the people I support, making them happy, supporting them, reassuring them and giving them a voice to be heard. I find my job very rewarding and love to hear the residents calling my name and smiling when I come onto shift as they are happy to see me. I have real job satisfaction when the residents are happy – this reassures me I have made a difference to their lives that day.

Through work-based learning, Callum is earning while gaining essential practical experience on the job and is discovering a whole range of skills. He finally recognises his own capabilities and can see first-hand the positive impact his role has on those around him.��Care work offers huge job satisfaction and Callum is providing vital care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

The UK is an ageing population with an estimated 15 million individuals over the age of 60. As such, there is a demand for quality elderly care and with that lots of career opportunities. As well as learning a��whole host of practical skills on the job, Callum’s apprenticeship qualification is helping him progress his career within the Care Sector, while receiving invaluable support along the way.

“I really feel I have developed as a person since starting my qualification. I have learnt new skills and I am more than happy to ask for help or advice when I need it. If I am struggling, I can speak to my assessor at 91�ȱ� and she will support me and offer scenarios that I understand.����My employer has also given me the opportunity to grow within my role.����I work within a team environment and my peers always look out for me. They encourage me through each challenge I face and are there to support me.”

After a difficult start at school, Callum is now excited about his career prospects and feels his��Health & Social Care Level 2 qualification is just the beginning for him. With his eyes firmly fixed on the future, Callum knows exactly where he is heading!

“The feedback that I have had from residents, family members, outside professionals, my team and the management team have all been very positive. This makes me feel so proud and excited for my future within the Care sector. My manager has already asked me to begin my Level 3 after I complete my Level 2. This has been a big boost to my confidence as I know she can see how I am progressing. My goal is to eventually become a Medicator. Now I am 18 I can start the required training, which will enable me to administer medication, lead a team, deal with emergencies and liaise with outside professionals. I am willing to work hard and I am confident that I will achieve this career goal. My employers trust in me has made me determined to progress to where I am now. If I had not been given this chance to work when I was 16, I don’t know where I would be today.