Bethany Morgan has been transformed from a shy schoolgirl to confident, qualified, award-winning member of staff at ICC Wales in Newport.

Seventeen-year-old Bethany was named Foundation Apprentice of the Year at the annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards organised by Cambrian Training, one of Wales’ top work-based learning providers.

She has been described as “a role model” to fellow apprentices and the epitome of why the Celtic Collection at Newport runs its Hotel and Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme.

She consistently challenges herself whether it’s dealing with challenging guests, cleaning bedrooms, preparing large luggage drops for conferences or working in a team to serve dinner to 3,000 people.

Having completed a Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality Services, she now works at the ICC Wales and hopes to progress to a Food and Beverage Apprenticeship.

She said: “I am so shocked, but also happy and proud of myself. I am so lucky that I work for such a great company where everyone is so supportive.

“Hopefully, I can move into hotel management in the future as my career progresses. My confidence is growing and I am completely different to the shy person I was when I started at the Celtic Manor Resort.”

Bethany was supported during her apprenticeship by her manager Rob Hookham and Craig Bennett, a training officer with Cambrian Training, which has offices in Welshpool, Holyhead, Colwyn Bay and Llanelli and Builth Wells.

Eighteen employers and learners who have excelled in apprenticeship, skills and employment training programmes delivered by Cambrian Training were shortlisted for the awards, which were presented at the International Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd.

Katy Godsell, Cambrian Training’s marketing manager, said: “The awards celebrate the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations during their engagement and commitment to their apprenticeship training and skills programmes. They have shown a unique approach to apprenticeship training and development and demonstrated initiative and enterprise, innovation and creativity.”

Arwyn Watkins, OBE, Cambrian Training’s managing director, said the company works in partnership with excellent employers to deliver apprenticeships, skills and employment training programmes for the Welsh Government across the whole of Wales.

“If you are thinking of taking on an apprentice for the first time, you will not regret it because he or she will add value to your business,” he said.

He revealed that the latest figures released by the Welsh Government revealed that Cambrian Training, which is 25 years old this year, is the top learning provider delivering Higher Apprenticeships and fourth in Wales for all apprenticeships.

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