North Wales Apprentice Named Overall Apprentice of the Year 2026
Malcolm Tidswell, Section Head Leisure Services at Ffit Conwy, has been named Overall Apprentice of the Year 2026 at the North Wales Work Based Learning Awards, held at Venue Cymru on 4 February.
The awards celebrate excellence in apprenticeships and work-based learning across the region, with employers, apprentices, sponsors and training providers coming together to present 18 awards recognising achievement, commitment and impact in the workplace.
Malcolm, gained a Level 5 Leadership and Management apprenticeship alongside his full-time work:
“My apprenticeship has had a real impact on how I work. Being able to apply what I was learning directly in the workplace helped me build confidence, strengthen my leadership skills, and take a more strategic approach to managing teams and services.
“In my role at Ffit Conwy, the apprenticeship has supported the development of strategic plans and helped me better support colleagues to grow and access further training. It has been a valuable experience both professionally and personally, and I would strongly encourage others to consider an apprenticeship as a way to develop as a leader while making a tangible difference at work.”
Speaking at the awards Gwenllian Roberts, Executive Director - Commercial Development, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai commented:
“At the heart of these awards are apprentices developing the skills, confidence and professionalism to succeed in the workplace. Their success relies on employers who support apprentices to grow and take on real responsibility in their roles. This partnership between individuals, businesses and training providers helps retain talent and build capacity from within businesses, and ensures a skilled workforce to support the growth of the north Wales economy.”
The North Wales Work Based Learning Awards are supported by lead sponsor Babcock, alongside local sponsors Carelink Homecare Services Ltd, Snowdonia Leisure (owners of the Royal Oak, Betws-y-Coed), Heler Foods Ltd, Portmeirion, Newydd Catering and Cleaning, CITB, Dŵr Cymru, Adra, Cartrefi Conwy, Rehau, Cwmni Egnio, the Regional Skills Partnership and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The North Wales Work Based Learning Awards recognise individual achievement and the employers who support work-based learning, alongside the training providers delivering apprenticeships across the region, including Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, Achieve More Training and COPA Training.
If you are interested in apprenticeships or work-based learning we would like to hear from you, find out more here: www.gllm.ac.uk/apprenticeships