Latest news with #Welshpool-based
North Wales Live
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Live updates as air ambulance lands at scene of crash
A road is closed in both directions due to a crash. The B5105 is closed near Clawddnewydd as a result of the collision, with a large number of emergency service vehicles at the scene. The Welshpool-based air ambulance has also landed at the scene of the collision. Police, fire crews and paramedics are also reportedly at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "Following a road traffic collision, B5105 is currently closed between Clawddnewydd and Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Please avoid the area, thank you." This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here.
Powys County Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Progress on £14m Montgomery Canal restoration project
Wales Office Minister, Dame Nia Griffith, has been in Welshpool and Llanymynech to see how work is progressing on a major project to restore the Montgomery Canal. The scheme, which is being delivered in partnership by Powys County Council and Glandŵr Cymru (the Canal and River Trust in Wales), has received £13.94 million from the UK Government as part of its Levelling Up programme. Dame Nia viewed improvements that have been made to Y Lanfa, in Welshpool, the home of the town's library and the Powysland Museum, before visiting Wern, near Pool Quay, and then Llanymynech. At Wern, contractors working for Glandŵr Cymru are creating a new pond alongside the canal for protected species of aquatic plants and other wildlife. And at Llanymynech, work has begun on a new bridge which will take Carreghofa Lane over the canal, instead of through it. Wales Office Minister Nia Griffiths said: 'It's fantastic to see the huge progress that's being made to restore the Montgomery Canal and preserving our industrial heritage for generations to come. 'Funding from the UK Government has enabled this ambitious plan to be delivered, creating jobs, supporting the tourist industry, and restoring vital wildlife habitats.' Before seeing work on the canal restoration project, Dame Nia also visited Welshpool-based manufacturer CastAlum, which received a Business Growth Grant through Powys County Council last year worth £25,000. It put the money it received through the grant scheme, which was backed by £1.2 million from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, towards the cost of updating two of its die-cast machines, as part of a wider refurbishment programme. 'It was great having the opportunity to show Dame Nia around two projects in Powys last week which have benefitted from UK Government funding,' said councillor James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys. 'CastAlum was one of 71 Powys companies that we were able to support over the last two years thanks to the Shared Prosperity Fund, while the Levelling Up funding is helping transform the prospects of the Montgomery Canal, its ecology and the communities living alongside it.' Richard Harrison, principal project manager at Glandŵr Cymru added: 'It was fantastic to welcome Dame Nia to the canal to show her the work that's taking place to restore it. "We are making good progress on the restoration as we look to make the improvements that will ensure the sustainable long-term future of the canal so it can continue to benefit both people and nature.' The National Lottery Heritage Fund has also contributed £164,000 towards the cost of the work on Y Lanfa, while the Welsh Government put £140,000 towards the refurbishment of the canalside cottages on the same site, as part of its Transforming Towns programme. Work on Aberbechan Aqueduct, near Newtown, was also backed with a Historic Building Grant from Cadw. SWG Group, based in Welshpool, has almost completed the works on Y Lanfa. The library is expected to reopen in its usual home, on the ground floor, in September, while the Powysland Museum is likely to reopen, on the first floor, towards the end of 2025 or in early 2026. The library is temporarily based in the nearby Canalside Cottages.
Powys County Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Cambrian Training Company celebrates graduating apprentices
A Welshpool-based training company is celebrating the success of its staff. Nine employees from Cambrian Training Company were among more than 100 apprentices graduating at a ceremony held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd. The event marked the achievements of apprentices across a wide range of industries. Faith O'Brien, managing director of Cambrian Training Company, said: "We were delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our graduating staff members. "They have proven that they don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk and are committed to their own personal development." Six members of staff, Scott Morgan, Dan Phillips, Matt Davies, Ruth Bartlett, Hannah Gover and Michelle Ward-Jones, achieved the Agored Cymru Level 3 Certificate in Learning and Development. Grace Rutter and Kirsty Broomfield completed a City & Guilds Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Business Administration, while Jane Gammon achieved the Pearson Edexcel Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Management. Ms O'Brien said: "We encourage all our staff to continuously improve their skills and knowledge to develop their careers and fulfil their potential. "Continuing professional development is essential to ensure that we deliver the very best training and support services to our apprentices and their employers across Wales." The company recently celebrated its 30th anniversary by becoming employee-owned. Cambrian Training Company, along with its subsidiary Trailhead Fine Foods, is now part of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), a model designed to give employees a greater stake in the business. The company provides work-based learning opportunities across Wales.
Business News Wales
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Awards Recognise Training Company's Apprenticeship Stars
Winners of the Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by Cambrian Training Company. The achievements of apprentices, employers and work-based learning practitioners from across Wales were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Mid Wales. Twenty-seven finalists competed for the Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by work-based learning provider Cambrian Training Company. The awards, held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells, recognised employers, learners and practitioners who have excelled in apprenticeship programmes delivered by the Welshpool-based company and its sub-contractors. A popular winner was autistic apprentice Aaron Jones, a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea, who received a standing ovation after collecting the Apprentice Special Recognition 2025 Award. 'In receiving this very special award, I am enormously proud and owe it to every single person in the audience but above all to my fellow team of staff at Penycae Inn and to those that have autism and other profound learning needs,' he told the audience. 'As a person with autism who works in the hospitality industry, this award means so much to me. Anybody with a learning or physical disability who is considering doing an apprenticeship should absolutely go for it.' He praised Cambrian Training Company's hospitality training officers Andrew Addis-Fuller and Leah Williams for their support and encouragement to achieve his goals, which include completing his Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Apprenticeship early next year. Aaron Jones from Penycae Inn receives the Apprentice Special Recognition 2025 Award from Arwyn Watkins, OBE The Foundation Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Cameron Long, a cleaning support services attendant at Elite Clothing Solutions, Ebbw Vale, who has completed a Supported Shared Apprenticeship with support from Elite Supported Employment. Apprentice of the Year was Cai Watkins, head of business unit contract manager for Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool, while the Higher Apprentice of the Year award went to Mathew Verallo, operations manager for The Celtic Collection's Tŷ Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. The awards for employers was keenly contested. The Small Employer of the Year was Silver Assist Homecare, Llangorse, Brecon, Filco Markets, Llantwit Major collected the Medium Employer of the Year Award and Achieve Together, Cardiff was named Large Employer of the Year. Outstanding Individual of the Year was Denise Hodson, a playworker at Little Disciples Childcare, Penymynydd, Flintshire and Welsh Ambassador of the Year was Phoebe Wilson, lead training officer at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs, Cardiff. Practitioner of the Year was Elfed Wood, from Portal Training, Cardiff, the Employer Special Recognition Award went to The Grove, Narbeth and Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil was recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships. 'Among our winners and finalists are inspiring stories of personal growth and professional development,' said Faith O'Brien, Cambrian Training Company's managing director. 'This year's awards ceremony was a testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of our apprentices, employers and supporters. From the Apprentice of the Year awards to the recognition of outstanding employers and individuals, each accolade reflects the transformative power of apprenticeships in shaping careers and communities. 'Let's continue supporting and championing vocational education. Together, we can create a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive through learning and development.' The other finalists were: Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award: Josh Williams, a receptionist at Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor and Leanne Barratt, a chef at Mitchell & Butlers' Miller & Carter, Killay. Apprentice of the Year Award: Deanne Rance, area manager for Lonetree-McDonalds, Newport and Jodie Bowater, hotel manager Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor. Higher Apprentice of the Year: Ashley Richards, general manager at Peppermint Cardiff and Keri-Ann Evans, head chef at Bluestone, Narberth. Outstanding Individual of the Year: Rachael Bowles, blending room team leader for Hilltop Honey, Newtown and Aaron Jones, a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea. Small Employer of the Year: Nazareth House, Cardiff and Interplay, Penlan, Swansea. Medium Employer of the Year: Voco St David's Cardiff and The Grove, Narberth. Large Employer of the Year: Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil and Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Welsh Language Ambassador: Catherine Smith, training officer at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs and Samantha James, restaurant manager at Millie & Sid's, Tywyn. Work-based Learning Practitioner: Sean Williams from Sirius Skills Consulting, Mountain Ash and Sarah Bird from Clybiau Plant Cymru, Cardiff.
Business News Wales
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Finalists Announced for Training Company's Annual Awards
Winners of last year's Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards with Cambrian Training Company managing director Faith O'Brien. Employers, learners and practitioners from across Wales who have excelled in apprenticeship programmes delivered by Cambrian Training Company and its sub-contractors will be celebrated at an awards dinner. Twenty-seven finalists – three in each category – will compete for this year's Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by the Welshpool-based work-based learning provider. The awards, which will be held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells on June 3, celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices, employers and work-based learning practitioners who are committed to apprenticeships. A team of independent judges had the task of shortlisting finalists in nine categories from a record number of entries. Cardiff-based Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs has three finalists, including two in the same category, while employees of Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor will compete for two awards. Contesting the Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award are Cameron Long, a cleaning support services attendant at Elite Clothing Solutions, Ebbw Vale; Josh Williams, a receptionist at Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor and Leanne Barratt, a chef at Mitchell & Butlers' Miller &Carter, Killay. Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are Deanne Rance, area manager for Lonetree-McDonalds, Newport; Cai Watkins, head of business unit contract manager for Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool and Jodie Bowater, hotel manager Whitbread Premier Inn, Bangor. The Higher Apprentice of the Year Award finalists are Ashley Richards, general manager at Peppermint Cardiff; Keri-Ann Evans, head chef at Bluestone, Narberth and Matthew Verallo, operations manager for The Celtic Collection's Tŷ Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. Seeking recognition in the Outstanding Individual of the Year Award category are Rachael Bowles, blending room team leader for Hilltop Honey, Newtown; Aaron Jones a waiter at Penycae Inn, Penycae, near Swansea and Denise Hodson, a playworker at Little Disciples Childcare, Penymynydd, Flintshire. Small Employer of the Year Award finalists are Silver Assist Homecare, Llangorse, Brecon; Nazareth House, Cardiff and Interplay, Penlan, Swansea. The Medium Employer of the Year Award brings together Filco Market, Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan; Voco St David's Cardiff and The Grove, Narberth, while finalists in the Large Employer of the Year are Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil; Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Achieve Together, Cardiff. Two work colleagues from Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs – Phoebe Wilson, lead training officer and Catherine Smith, training officer – and Samantha James, restaurant manager at Millie & Sid's, Tywyn have been shortlisted for the Welsh Language Ambassador Award. This award recognises people who promote the use of Welsh in the workplace. Finalists for the Work-based Learning Practitioner Award are Elfed Wood from Portal Training, Cardiff; Sean Williams from Sirius Skills Consulting, Mountain Ash and Sarah Bird from Clybiau Plant Cymru, Cardiff. Faith O'Brien, Cambrian Training Company's managing director, said: 'We are thrilled by the remarkable increase in both the quantity and quality of award entries this year and extend our sincere thanks to all participants. 'The upcoming awards ceremony next month promises to be a celebration of the finalists' inspiring success stories. It's an opportunity to honour not only the apprentices and employers but also everyone who has supported them on their journey. 'Together, they play an essential role in driving the Welsh economy forward, with apprenticeships serving as the gold standard for work-based learning.'
