Carmarthenshire business presented with a prestigious career support award

Careers Wales announced the eight winners of their Valued Partner Awards 2023 at an awards ceremony in Cardiff on Wednesday 22 November. Among the distinguished winners was Cross Hands based company, Castell Howell. Castell Howell clinched the prestigious Outstanding Achievement – 10 Year Award, recognising their remarkable decade-long contribution to employer engagement with schools.

Ed Morgan, Group Corporate Social Responsibility & Training Manager at Castell Howell, said: “It’s a real honour to win a Careers Wales Valued Partner Award. There are so many companies doing really great things, and we are one of many. We feel really lucky to win.”

The winners of each category were announced live by the event host, Sian Lloyd, at the Pierhead building on the Senedd estate in Cardiff.

Coinciding with Careers Wales’ ten-year anniversary as an all-Wales company, the awards were sponsored by Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething.

These highly anticipated awards are a chance for Careers Wales to recognise employers who have delivered impactful and engaging careers experiences to pupils in Wales over the last twelve months.

To celebrate the organisation’s ten-year anniversary, this year featured an additional award to recognise the outstanding achievement of employers who have supported schools over the past decade.

Through working closely with schools, these organisations support young people to make links between what they learn in school and the world of work and to understand the opportunities that are available to them.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “Huge congratulations to all the winners for the Valued Partner Awards – and also to all those who made it to the shortlist.

“The Welsh Government is committed to investing in our future generations and providing young people with the tools they need to build successful future careers.

“Thank you to the employers who have been part of the Valued Partner Awards this year for providing young people with the opportunity interact with them, allowing them to broaden their horizons and discover where their interests lie. It will help ensure they can be at the forefront of helping our Welsh businesses to innovate and grow.”

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive at Careers Wales, said: “It is with immense pride that we announce the winners of the Valued Partner Awards this year.

“We had a very high calibre of nominations, and it has been such a pleasure to highlight the invaluable impact made when employers and schools come together in partnership.

“The awards enable us to thank businesses for inspiring, motivating and empowering pupils with work-related knowledge and experiences that will help guide them to shape their futures.

“On behalf of myself and everyone at Careers Wales, congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to continuing our vital work with them.”

Here are all eight winners in their categories:

Outstanding Achievement 10 Year Award: Castell Howell

Best Newcomer: JCB

Best Ongoing Relationship with a School: Morganstone

Most Supportive Small Business: Kidslingo / Wibli Wobli Nursery

Outstanding Personal Contribution: Colette Affaya – Airbus

Most Supportive Work Experience Employer: Cottage Coppicing

Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace: Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board

Best Supporter of the Net Zero Agenda: EDF Renewables UK