Staying one step ahead in an ever-evolving industry has resulted in Hayley Lewis being named Work-based Learning Assessor of the Year at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
Continuous professional development and a person-centred approach has kept Hayley, from Haverfordwest, at the forefront of work-based learning in the Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) sector.
The prestigious awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in traineeships and apprenticeships, were presented at the International Convention Centre Wales, Newport.
“I am really overwhelmed that all my hard work over the past 13 years has been recognised,” said Hayley, 51, who works for TSW Training in Bridgend. “I love my job because it makes a difference to the lives of vulnerable children.”
The awards showcased the successes of the best learners, employers, tutors and assessors in Wales who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeship and Apprenticeship programmes.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru had Openreach, the UK’s digital network business, as its premier sponsor this year. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Hayley is a respected member of the Health and Social Care team at TSW Training, where she delivers a range of courses. With 13 years of experience in work-based learning, she has developed a “strong but supportive” method that brings the best out of her learners through both one-to-one assessments in the workplace and by facilitating workshops.
She draws on the excellent range and depth of her occupational knowledge to ensure that changes to legislation are understood by learners and contextualised to the specific nature of their workplace, a particular strength for those working with vulnerable children and young people.
“I am passionate about using my teaching and assessment skills in combination with my expertise within a sector which is often undervalued,” said Hayley. “Part of my role as an assessor is working in partnership with stakeholders and I pride myself on developing and maintaining professional relationships with my team, employers and learners alike.
“I believe learning should be meaningful, enjoyable and engaging, providing suitable stretch and challenge to ensure that, as managers within the Health and Social Care sector, their own practice has an invaluably positive impact on children and young people.”
Hayley engages with employers from the earliest stages of learning programmes so that effective support is in place for learners and that programmes are suitably tailored to meet their needs.
“Hayley not only consistently delivers for her learners but is constantly sharing her best practices with her peers so that the sector as a whole is benefiting from her wealth of experience and expertise,” said Toni Hughes, TSW Training’s Quality Development Lead.
Congratulating Hayley, Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, said:
“The Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes are helping increasing numbers of people to gain the skills, knowledge and experience that we know businesses across all sectors of the economy in Wales really need.
“The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements of everyone involved in those programmes from our star apprentices and employers, to learning providers and trainees. Each one has played a vital role in setting the standard for vocational training and this is to be applauded.
“Increasing higher level skills and developing skills pathways that benefit the whole of Wales has never been more important.”
