A GWENDRAETH Valley business has been given an outstanding achievement award for its work!

Castell Howell was given the Outstanding Achievement – 10 Year Award at Careers Wales’ Valued Partner Awards 2023.

The award recognises Castell Howell’s ‘remarkable’ decade-long contribution to employer engagement with schools.

Ed Morgan, Castell Howell’s group corporate social responsibility and training manager, said: “It’s a real honour to win a Careers Wales Valued Partner Award. There are so many companies doing really great things, and we are one of many. We feel really lucky to win.”

The Outstanding Achievement – 10 Year Award was an additional award to recognise the achievements of employers who have supported schools over the past decade to coincide with Careers Wales’ 10th anniversary.

The Valued Partner Awards 2023 were held in Cardiff on November 22 and presented by Sian Lloyd. The awards were sponsored by Welsh Government economy minister Vaughan Gething and celebrate the employers who have provided impactful and engaging careers experiences to pupils in Wales over the last year.

Mr Gething said: “Huge congratulations to all the winners for the Valued Partner Awards – and also to all those who made it to the shortlist.

“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 who have been part of 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.”

Nikki Lawrence, Careers Wales chief executive, said: “It is with immense pride that we announce the winners of the Valued Partner Awards this year.

“We had a very high calibre of nominations, and it has been such a pleasure to highlight the invaluable impact made when employers and schools come together in partnership.

“The awards enable us to thank businesses for inspiring, motivating and empowering pupils with work-related knowledge and experiences that will help guide them to shape their futures.

“On behalf of myself and everyone at Careers Wales, congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to continuing our vital work with them.”

The eight winners at the awards were:

  • Outstanding Achievement 10 Year Award: Castell Howell
  • Best Newcomer: JCB
  • Best Ongoing Relationship with a School: Morganstone
  • Most Supportive Small Business: Kidslingo / Wibli Wobli Nursery
  • Outstanding Personal Contribution: Colette Affaya – Airbus
  • Most Supportive Work Experience Employer: Cottage Coppicing
  • Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace: Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board
  • Best Supporter of the Net Zero Agenda: EDF Renewables UK