Wales CRC shortlisted for vocational award

Wales Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) has been named as one of the top employers committed to vocational training.

The CRC, which delivers probation services to 10,000 low or medium-risk offenders, requires highly skilled and responsible workers to protect the public, reduce reoffending and help make Wales a safer place.

The CRC was one of three employers across the country to be shortlisted in the VQ Awards, held at St David’s Hotel and Spa in Cardiff.

The annual awards, organised by the Welsh Government, the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) and ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, celebrate the achievements of both learners and employers across Wales.

Wales CRC was nominated by VQ Assessment Services. In the last two years, 70 Wales CRC probation service officers have achieved the vocational diploma in probation practice (VQ3), a further 34 are expected to qualify by July 2016 and four employees have achieved the assessors award.

Minister of Skills and Science Julie James said: “Vocational skills have a huge impact on the Welsh economy and we value the gold standard of vocational learning being delivered to people right across Wales.

“Both Vocational Qualifications Day and the Vocational Qualifications Awards provide the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate not only the high standard of technical, practical and vocational learning being delivered in Wales, but also the many personal successes and achievements of our learners.

“High quality VQs are essential to provide individuals and businesses with the skills, experience, motivation and inspiration they need to get ahead. Ultimately it is only with appropriately skilled and trained people that can we drive forward the Welsh economy.

“Many of our VQ Award finalists this year have demonstrated that they are marked out as future leaders or ambitious entrepreneurs and have an eye on making sound business decisions and increasing productivity.”

Pictured above: L-R: Suzanne Sweeney (former L&D manager), Diana Binding (LDU Head for Gwent), Dawn Blower (Probation Director), Alan Plumb (VQAS), Debbie Ayriss (VQAS), Judith Piontecki (L&D administrator) and Ceinwen Gwilym (L&D assessor/trainer)