Six individuals and businesses from Gwent are among 31 named as finalists of this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

Judges had a difficult task selecting the finalists from the many entries in 11 award categories. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on November 9.

The local finalists are:

Traineeships Learner of the Year (Engagement): Lee Anthony Bowen, from Newport, whose training provider is Rathbone Cymru; and James Carter, from Newport, whose training provider is Itec Skills and Employment.

Apprentice of the Year: Russell Beale, from Pontypool, whose training provider is CITB.

Small Employer of the Year (one to 49 employees): FLS (Freight Logistics Solutions), Cwmbran, whose training provider is Torfaen Training.

Large Employer of the Year (250 to 4,999 employees): Office for National Statistics, Newport, whose training provider is ALS Training.

Macro Employer of the Year (5,000 or more employees): Lloyds Banking Group, Newport, whose training provider is Cardiff and Vale College.

The annual awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.

The awards are jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Eluned Morgan said: “Apprenticeship Awards Cymru showcase the success of the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeships and Traineeships Programmes and the achievements of our star apprentices, employers, learning providers and trainees.

“Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to gain valuable skills and experience while earning a wage and for employers to ensure their workforce have the skills to future proof a business.

“Increasing higher level skills and developing skills pathways that benefit the whole of Wales have never been more important.”