A Caerphilly financial firm has been recognised for the educational support it has given to its staff.
Creditsafe UK, based on Caerphilly Business Park, was awarded DEHOV UHOVI Employer of the Year 2012. Staff completed courses in Information Communication Technology, as part of the Digital Economy Heads of the Valleys (DEHOV) project.
The award was accepted by Cathryn Sims on behalf of the company at the first Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) celebration evening.
Ms Sims, learning and development manager at Creditsafe, said: “This award means a lot to us because it recognises the commitment we have to developing our staff. This is all part of our drive to make Creditsafe a learning organisation and we will continue to support our employees so they can fulfil their potential.”
Awards were presented by Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert, who is also Caerphilly AM, along with Welsh comedian Chris Corcoran.
The company was recognised for letting 30 members of staff go on the course during working hours and allowed extra time for individual study. Creditsafe are currently in discussions with the DEHOV team to develop further learning opportunities for their staff in September.
University of Glamorgan Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of UHOVI Helen Marshall said, “UHOVI is all about improving skills and qualifications by making learning accessible to people in their own locality. This celebration event shows just how far we have come since launching and how many people are already benefiting from UHOVI courses.
“UHOVI is making a real difference to businesses in regenerating the valleys. Behind the statistics are stories of individual success with over 1500 students whose lives are being changed by their UHOVI study.”
Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “I am delighted to be able to celebrate some of the success stories of the Welsh Government’s investment in education in the Heads of the Valleys.
“Over the last two years, the Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute has been delivering ambitious foundation and high-level work-related learning provision for all. It has provided an access route to Higher Education for learners who previously felt excluded or unable to participate in such opportunities.
“I would also like to congratulate the learners for their hard work and ambition that has led to the excellent results being recognised at this event.”
Launched in 2010, UHOVI is a unique partnership between the University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport and opens up Higher Education opportunities for learners in the Valleys region.
For more information visit www.uhovi.ac.uk