A Newbridge dental practice, which has recruited apprentices to expand the business, got its teeth into a major national accolade at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2015.
Bridge Dental Care was named Small Employer of the Year at the high profile awards ceremony held at the Celtic Manor Resort recently.
Len Smart, principal dentist at Bridge Dental Care, said: “The standard was so high in our category that we didn’t think we would win.
“The award is an endorsement of our small team and everyone plays their part. Training is a key part of driving the practice forward.”
Bridge Dental Care employs 16 staff and two apprentices working towards an Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing.
Also honoured at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru was Rhys Lloyd, 24, from Hengoed.
Rhys, who has dyslexia, left school early with no qualifications and for several years his attempts to find regular work were held back by his struggles with Mathematics and English.
But a six-month Jobs Growth Wales placement through Cardiff-based learning provider Itec Skills and Employment has given him the chance to turn his life around.
During his placement as a production operative with GM Polystyrene, supported by company owner Mr Middleton, Rhys showed determination to make this position work by investing in a car to make the daily journey from his then home in Cardiff to Hengoed.
Having completed the placement, the company offered Rhys a full time position and a Foundation Apprenticeship in Warehousing through the Young Recruits Programme.
Rhys said: “This award is unbelievable and an amazing achievement for my work and what I have done in my life,” he said. “I was so happy just to get nominated and to be invited to this fantastic event.
“My boss, Graham Middleton, has been brilliant to work for and I can’t thank him enough.”
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Julie James said: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists. We have some truly exceptional apprentices and learners here in Wales and these awards provide a perfect platform for us to celebrate their hard work and achievements.
“Equally important are the training providers and employers who go the extra mile to support their apprentices. We are proud to be delivering one of the most successful apprenticeship programmes in Europe with success rates in Wales remaining well above 80%.”