Rhys wins Prince’s Trust Wales Education Award
Rhys is studying Uniformed Protective Services at Coleg Llandrillo and aspires to join the Police Force
Coleg Llandrillo student Rhys Morris has won The Prince’s Trust Wales Education Award.
Rhys, from Abergele, was presented with the accolade at the Wales Prince's Trust Awards ceremony in Cardiff.
The Wales Education Award recognises young people who have overcome barriers and developed new skills to improve their future prospects through re-engagement in education.
Rhys’ journey with The Prince’s Trust began on the Achieve programme after he was referred to Milestone Academy, a Pupil Referral Unit that supports young people who are struggling with school.
The Achieve programme saw Rhys interacting with others during team-building activities, learning new skills in autism awareness while being pushed out his comfort zone.
It gave Rhys the desire to push his boundaries as he completed his GCSEs, BTEC and Prince’s Trust certificate.
He is now studying Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus, as he works towards his ambition of joining the Police Force.
Rhys said: “The Prince’s Trust has helped me by allowing me the freedom to express myself and explore opportunities while developing my confidence and self-esteem.
"Milestones especially has been a pinnacle turning point for me, allowing me to reintroduce myself into social interactions and build the confidence that will carry me into my future career.
"I’m now studying Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services at Coleg Llandrillo. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Prince’s Trust and Milestones.”
He added: “I’ve been able to do more than I can imagine with the correct support. I never thought I’d be this determined to do anything in life – I value learning now more than ever and I understand the importance of it.
“I think really seeing the impact that The Prince’s Trust has on the community and wanting to also be that difference really helped me make the decision of wanting to be a police officer. I’d like to give back what I’ve received.”
Rhys applied to Coleg Llandrillo after hearing about the course when Careers Wales visited his school.
He said: “I’m enjoying the course. The tutors are really good, and the course isn’t just focused on one thing, it’s varied. We’re doing custodial care at the moment, while next year we will be looking at how the police respond to emergencies, so it covers a good range of different aspects.”
Rhys’s personal tutor Cara Baker said: “Rhys is excelling in all areas of his work. He has a brilliant attitude to learning, along with a great work ethic. Rhys is developing skills that will support a fantastic career as a police officer which I am excited to see develop.”
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Police and Public Services courses are designed to prepare learners for employment in the Armed Forces, Police, Fire Service, Prison Service and other community and emergency service-related organisations. For more information, click here.