A special celebration event was held in Hawarden to launch the first Shared Apprenticeship Scheme between Coleg Cambria and CSA Group.

The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme has been designed to help targeted sector businesses in the Deeside Enterprise Zone to develop the next generation of talent. Josh Willis, 18, from Connah’s Quay has been selected as the first Coleg Cambria/CSA Group Shared Apprentice, and the first of many who will become the next generation of workers in Advanced Manufacturing to support the local economy.

The event at CSA Group’s Hawarden complex also provided the opportunity to congratulate Chris Boyes, a student at Coleg Cambria, for winning the CSA Group Scholarship Award for the UK. The CSA Group Scholarship Program rewards academic excellence, acknowledges community involvement and recognises leadership skills and are available to eligible dependants of CSA Group employees who are graduating to, or are currently enrolled in a recognised post-secondary institution. Chris Boyes, 17, from Cilcain near Mold, was selected from a high number and calibre of applications that were received this year.

David Jones OBE , Chief Executive and Principal of Coleg Cambria said:

“We are delighted at Coleg Cambria to launch our first Shared Apprenticeship Scheme with CSA Group. The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme is a great opportunity to recruit the brightest local talent to the Deeside Enterprise Zone and ensure that we can provide the skills needed by local businesses. Many congratulations to Josh on being selected for this programme.

I would also like to congratulate our student, Chris Boyes, on receiving the prestigious CSA Group Scholarship Award for the UK – it is a great honour for him and wish both him and Josh our best wishes for the future.”

Ian Rippin, Managing Director UK, CSA Group added:

“We are proud to take our place in the Deeside Enterprise Zone and through the fantastic support we have received from Coleg Cambria, employ an apprentice for the first time in our laboratory. This initiative forms part of our plans to develop a sustainable talent pool for the future and represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us in terms of investing in our people, which we hope will contribute to an expansion of employment opportunities in this area.”

Carl Sargeant, Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside said:

“I’m very proud that the Welsh Labour Government is investing in the Deeside Enterprise Zone Shared Apprenticeship Scheme and working with CSA Group and Coleg Cambria. The scheme ensures employees have the skills they need to get high quality jobs and companies have workers with cutting edge skills to enable Deeside Enterprise Zone to compete in the global economy.

It was great to meet Josh Willis who is leading the way and I hope to see more opportunities opening up for young people across Deeside Enterprise Zone. Josh and Chris Boyes, who is the winner of CSA Group’s European scholarship, should be very proud.”