A NUMBER of businesses around the Ammanford, Gwendraeth Valley and with work in the Towy Valley have been shortlisted for an award through Careers Wales.

Cross Hands based Castell Howell has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Achievement 10 Year Award in the Careers Wales 2023 Valued Partner Awards.

They will be up against Hywel Dda University Health Board, Morgan Sindall Construction, Principality and The Celtic Collection.

Ammanford-based Jac-Y-Do Nursery has been shortlisted for Most Supportive Work Experience Employer. They will be up against Brooklyn Motors, Cefn Mably Farm Park, Cottage Coppicing and M Delacy & Sons Holding Ltd.

Cardiff-based Bute Energy, which is currently working on plans for pylons in the Towy Valley to connect its Nant Mithril Energy Park with the National Grid in Carmarthen, has been shortlisted for Best Newcomer alongside In The Welsh Wind Distillery, JCB, Robertson and Wrexham Lager.

They are amongst 40 organisations shortlisted in eight categories for work in providing career support to pupils in schools and recognise employers who have worked with Careers Wales over the last 12 months to deliver impactful and engaging career experiences to pupils in Wales.

As it is Career Wales’ 10-year anniversary as an all-Wales company, there is also a special award for outstanding achievement of employers who have supported schools over the past decade – which is what Castell Howell are up for.

The awards are being sponsored by Vaughan Gething, Welsh Government minister for economy.

Nikki Lawrence, Careers Wales chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Valued Partner Awards 2023 this year with the support of the minister for economy.

“This event allows us to thank businesses for providing pupils with meaningful experiences and empowering them with work-related knowledge that will help them shape their futures.

“Bringing employers and schools together to provide valuable careers learning helps inspire and motivate the younger generation and future workforce of Wale.

“2023 is a special year for the awards, as we celebrate our ten-year anniversary and recognise one employer who has gone above and beyond over the decade to help young people learn more about the world of work.

“I look forward to welcoming all shortlisted organisations to the historic Pierhead building on 22 November and wish them the best of luck.”

Vaughan Gething added: “The Welsh Government is committed to investing in our future generations and providing young people with the tools they need to build successful future careers.

“Thank you to the employers shortlisted in the Valued Partner Awards this year for providing young people with the opportunity to interact with them, allowing them to broaden their horizons and discover where their interests lie. It will help ensure they can be at the forefront of helping our Welsh businesses to innovate and grow.

“I also want to thank our excellent national careers service, Careers Wales, for their hard work over the last decade. A huge good luck to all those nominated.”

The full list of finalists are:

Outstanding Achievement 10 Year Award

  • Castell Howell
  • Hywel Dda University Health Board
  • Morgan Sindall Construction
  • Principality
  • The Celtic Collection

Best Newcomer

  • Bute Energy
  • In The Welsh Wind Distillery
  • JCB
  • Robertson
  • Wrexham Lager

Best Ongoing Relationship with a School

  • Dwr Cymru – Welsh Water
  • Microchip
  • Morganstone
  • Social Care Wales Workforce Development Programme
  • Welsh Slate

Most Supportive Small Business

  • Kidslingo/Wibli Wobli Nursery
  • LGD Twist Salon
  • Newport Pets
  • Ripple Marketing
  • The A2B Tyre Shop

Outstanding Personal Contribution

  • Chris Hooper – Torfaen County Borough Council
  • Colette Afaya – Airbus
  • Gwenno Williams – Gwynedd Council
  • Kathy Roberts – Brother Industries UK
  • Rhys Bebb – Screen Alliance Wales

Most Supportive Work Experience Employer

  • Brooklyn Motors
  • Cefn Mably Farm Park
  • Cottage Coppicing
  • M Delacy & Sons Holding Ltd
  • Jac-Y-Do Nursery

Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace

  • Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council
  • S4C Canolfan yr Egin
  • Griffiths
  • ISG

Best Supporter of the Net Zero Agenda

  • Adra
  • Bluestone Wales
  • EDF Renewables UK
  • Viridor
  • Wynne Construction

The awards will take place on November 22 at the Pierhead building at the Senedd in Cardiff.