BTEC students were among Wales's great success stories at this year's National Training Awards held in Cardiff on the 8th November. 

The National Training Awards, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, and sponsored by Edexcel, recognises the modern apprentices, businesses and learning providers and collaborative projects that have made outstanding contributions to training. 

Amongst this years' finalists for the Apprenticeship Awards and winner of the outstanding achievement award was Ryan Jones from BT.

Ryan became an expert on analogue testing systems and is now BT's first port of call when problems arise.  He completed his BTEC National Diploma with a double distinction and is going on to do his BTEC Higher National Diploma, supported by his employers. 

Ryan’s colleague, Ben Cook, also a BTEC student, was another finalist.  Ben, a vital part of the team at BT's remove solutions unit in Salford, was asked to help new apprentices become inducted into the team he was working on. 

The UK National Training Award Winner was BTEC student, Andrew Hoskins.  The training Andrew undertook has turned his life around and he now has his own successful business, Hoskins Consulting Limited, specialising in heath and safety issues.

All of the finalists demonstrated an outstanding commitment to achieve through training and presented truly inspiring stories of how training benefited both individuals and their organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony Welsh Education Minister, Jane Hutt, said: “Tonight’s winners are more across the whole of Wales from all sectors of the economy, individuals and companies. But you all have one thing in common.  You all understand the importance of skills and the benefits of achieving excellence.  Not everyone her can be a winner tonight, but the process brings its own rewards and you should all be very proud of your achievements.  You are all an inspiration.”

Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists.