Wales’ leading resort and conference centre has added another award for training and skills to its growing list of honours.

The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, was named Large Employer of the Year in new awards launched by Cambrian Training Company, one of Wales’ leading training providers.

Tracy Israel, head of learning and development at the resort, collected the trophy at the inaugural Cambrian Training Company Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards 2017 held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells.

She thanked the training provider for the 'phenomenal support' its staff provide to apprentices at the Celtic Manor Resort.

She said: “This award is extremely important to us. Apprenticeships are a great way for staff to get accredited for the work they do and it’s a rubber stamp for the level they achieve within the business.

“It is also motivational for staff to see what is next on the progression line.”

Apprenticeship programmes are at the core of staff development at the Celtic Manor Resort, which employs more than 1,000 people. The resort’s business mission is to grow its own managers by investing in an in-house Celtic College and developing a Talent Management Route.

Apprenticeships are credited with creating a motivated, trained and ambitious workforce whose skills match the resort’s needs.

Cambrian Training Company, which has offices in Welshpool, Holyhead, Colwyn Bay and Llanelli, has launched the awards to celebrate all that is great about training, apprenticeships and skills in Wales. The company delivers apprenticeships to 1,200 learners and works with around 400 employers across Wales.

Managing director Arwyn Watkins said: "We work with some great employers and learners throughout Wales as we deliver a range of apprenticeship, skills and employment training programmes on behalf of the Welsh Government.

“These awards celebrate the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations during their engagement and commitment to training and skills programmes and shown a unique approach to training and development and demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation and creativity.”

The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.