Care and hospitality shine brightly at North Wales Work Based Learning Awards 2025

The awards ceremony, held at Venue Cymru and sponsored by Babcock International Group celebrated work-based learning winners and employers across North Wales who benefit from apprenticeships delivered for the Welsh Government by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and its consortium partners

William Holmes from MHC UK Ltd in Denbigh, which care for people with learning disabilities, was named Higher Apprentice of the Year after, Naganarayanan Ramamoorthy, a chef at St George’s Hotel, Llandudno won the Foundation Apprentice of the Year Award,Liam Ossian Thomas, head chef at Wal Restaurant, Caernarfon, was named Apprentice of the Year and Ysgol Gwynedd primary school in Flintshire, represented by Dewi Wyn Hughes was the winner of the Work-based Learning Employer of the Year.

Seren Ffestiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, won the Employer of the Year while Jenny Thomas, of Tyddyn Môn, Dulas, Anglesey was named Welsh medium Apprentice of the Year. Both awards were sponsored by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Gwenllian Roberts, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai’s Executive Director - Commercial Development said: “The awards this evening have brought into sharp focus how apprenticeships and work based learning directly contribute to the economic growth of our region and the vitality of our communities.

“We’ve all been inspired by the stories of our finalists and winners and it has been particularly good to see the health and social care and hospitality sectors strongly represented in this year’s awards.

“Through the support and training from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and our consortium partners we’re really proud to be able to help people develop rewarding careers and this evening has shone a light on how apprenticeships open up pathways to career progression.

“Liam has gone from pot washer in the kitchen to head chef at Y Wal, Caernarfon, Naga has been promoted to a junior management position at St George’s Hotel, Llandudno and Billy has progressed from a foundation apprenticeship all the way up to registered manager.

“The awards have also allowed us to celebrate and recognise the crucial role employers play in supporting apprentices. I’m delighted how the employer awards introduced this year have shown how apprenticeships support businesses to develop their workforce by nurturing talent from within.

“It was fantastic to celebrate the work of two outstanding social enterprises, Tyddyn Môn and Seren Ffestiniog, who brought alive how important learning through the medium of Welsh is for delivering much needed services in communities.

“Ysgol Gwynedd Primary school in Flint, the winner of the Work Based Learning Employer of the Year inspired us all by their passion for developing and growing their people and incredible commitment to learning.

More about the North Wales Work-Based Learning Awards and winners

Over 60 nominations were received in total for the awards, candidates were shortlisted based on their contribution to the workplace, their progression and commitment to learning. The ‘Apprentices of the Year’ were chosen by an online vote, while the specialist categories were considered by a specialist panel of experts.

Each winner has made a real contribution to their workplace and used the apprenticeship programme to progress their careers, while our Ysgol Gwynedd and Seren Ffestiniog have proved that work based learning training can deliver real value for employers.

William Holmes was recognised for his exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to improving health and social care services. He delivered a project to not only introduce life-saving defibrillators at MHC UK Ltd but also trained staff how to use them in an emergency, as part of their care for the elderly or vulnerable.

The project was part of William’s Higher Apprenticeship (Level 5) in Leadership and Management of Health and Social Care Practice. His focus on education and training not only increased staff confidence in handling emergency situations but also raised overall awareness of the importance of cardiac health.

Described as a role model for future chef apprentices, Naganarayanan Ramamoorthy moved to Wales in 2023 with the goal of gaining knowledge and experience for a career in the culinary arts.

His dedication to learn, progress and support others have earned him promotion to a junior management position at St George’s Hotel. He completed a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Food Production and Cooking three months early and has displayed a high level of professionalism.

Liam Thomas is described by his assessor as “a true champion of work-based learning”, leading by example to encourage colleagues to become apprentices. He progressed from a Foundation Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery to complete an Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership, boosting his cooking and leadership skills along the way.

He has helped his employers to expand by opening Woodfire Pizza restaurant, after attending masterclasses with an Italian pizza expert, researching equipment required and contributing to a business plan.

He has also attended a range of other masterclasses to learn about global cuisines and is happy to share his knowledge and skills with colleagues. His employers say Liam has brought flare and excitement to both their restaurants.

Both Aled Williams, of Cwmni Seren Ffestiniog, and Jenny Thomas, at Tyddyn Môn, highlighted the importance of learners being trained through the medium of Welsh and servicing and caring for communities.

Ysgol Gwynedd in Flintshire was awarded Work Based Learning Employer of the Year for its strategic use of apprenticeships to support workforce planning and development.

Award finalists were: Foundation Apprentice of the Year, Timothy Dykins, Ryan Wood, Jade Botha and Sadie Gittins. Apprentice of the Year, Ebony Riordan, Fiorella Wyn Roberts, Gareth Jones, Leanne Atlee, and Nash Costigan.