Skilled young apprentices from across the South Wales region were celebrated for their outstanding work and achievements at the prestigious Swansea Bay Construction Support Group Awards held on Thursday, 27th June.
Taking place at the Swansea.com Stadium, the awards recognised the achievements of new entrants, apprentices and future talent within the construction industry in the local area.
The ceremony, hosted by Swansea legend Kev Johns and featuring a three-course meal, aimed to enhance the image of the construction industry. It also highlighted the benefits of pursuing a career in this field and the valuable skills aspiring apprentices can gain from it.
The Swansea Bay Construction Support Group (SBCSG) is an alliance of diverse contractors situated in the Neath, Port Talbot, and Swansea region. As a non-profit organisation, funded by grants, SBCSG is committed to providing cost-effective training and development opportunities for its members. Its main objective is to assist member companies in achieving and sustaining organisational competence equivalent to national service providers. This is achieved through discounted training opportunities and partnerships with the new Shared Apprentice Scheme.
Throughout the evening, awards were proudly given to nominated apprentices from member companies of Swansea Bay Construction Support Group, featuring, ASW Property Services, Andrew Scott, Premier Forecourts and Construction, Castell Construction, Craftsman Flooring, John Weaver, Green’s Carpentry and Swansea Council.
Awards were also given to Best Technical Apprentice and Best Trade Apprentice. Harry Johal from Castell Construction was awarded Best Technical Apprentice, while Dwayne Vickers from John Weaver won Best Trade Apprentice.
Sponsored by several respected businesses within the construction industry, including PCR Global, City & Guilds, Linc Cymru, Alpha Safety and CIOB, the evening also included a raffle and auction to raise funds for Hands Up for Downs and the Jac Lewis Foundation.
Hands Up for Downs is a charity dedicated to uniting families, parents, carers, and children with Down Syndrome. The organisation provides essential support and ensures access to necessary services for children living with Down Syndrome.
The Jac Lewis Foundation is a charity dedicated to providing mental health support and resources. Named after Jac Lewis, who sadly lost his life to suicide, it aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and offer counselling, education programs, and community outreach. The foundation emphasises compassion, understanding, and resilience to create a supportive environment where everyone can access needed help.
John Jones, Vice Chair of the Swansea Bay Construction Support Group, said:
“Our awards evening was a tremendous success, bringing together young talent to be recognised for their hard work and dedication. It’s essential that we continue to celebrate these achievements and support their journey, as these promising apprentices are the future of the construction industry.
The Swansea Bay Construction Support Group Awards helps us raise awareness and educate people about the vast opportunities available within the construction industry for young individuals considering their career options. It also showcases prevalent success stories, standing testament to the incredible achievements and potential within our field!”
“Organising the fourth annual Swansea Bay Construction Support Group Awards was truly a pleasure! It was a fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of local apprentices beginning their careers in the construction industry. Congratulations to all the outstanding nominees and winners – you should be proud of your accomplishments.”
Euros Griffiths, training officer at Swansea Bay Construction Support Group, added: