Left to right: Richard Spear (ACT), Caroline Cooksley (ACT), Sarah John (ALS), Helena Williams (ALS), Andrew Cooksley (ACT)
Award-winning training provider ALS Training is celebrating its first birthday. Over the past year, ALS have achieved great success, including several award wins for employers and learners, and the launch of a flagship Apprenticeship programme.
Formerly Acorn Training Solutions, ALS was acquired by Wales’ leading training provider ACT in January 2018 to form a highly-respected and high-performing union offering a broad portfolio of Apprenticeships and skills training solutions to thousands of employers.
In May, ALS Project Management Apprentice Laura Beale made a ‘Flying Start’ as she was named a finalist for Learner of the Year at the VQ Awards 2018. Laura prepared a detailed business case for Carmarthenshire County Council to secure funding for a new project for over £660,000, with her nomination recognising her commitment, hard work and achievement.
In November, ALS employers Rhondda Cynon Taf Council were named Macro Employer of the Year at the prestigious Apprenticeships Awards Cymru 2018. At the heart of the council’s ethos is their Apprenticeship programme which offers apprentices the opportunity to learn and develop in a dynamic and future-focused organisation.
ALS also had two finalists at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2018: Corinna Roberts, Apprentice at the IPO, and employer the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Corinna says that completing an Apprenticeship has boosted her confidence and skills and brought value and fresh ideas to her role. And
November saw ALS Training launch their flagship Data Analytics Apprenticeship programme with Apprenticeship Awards Cymru finalists The ONS. Their first cohort successfully completed the programme in November and have since progressed onto permanent positions within the Civil Service and gained promotions in their roles.
Helena Williams, Director at ALS Training, said, “It is this kind of exemplar organisational collaboration on bespoke Apprenticeship programmes that we as a company love to be involved with. By developing their workforce with pioneering qualifications like the Data Analytics Apprenticeships, companies like The ONS are equipping their staff with key skills and supporting their personal and professional development.”
Commenting on their first year at Ocean Park House in Cardiff, Sarah John, Director at ALS Training and Chair of The National Training Federation Wales (NTfW) said: “This past year has been an exciting new chapter for ALS. Our dynamic partnership with ACT has created a strong presence in the market and we are committed to help grow the Welsh economy further with our excellent training programmes.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved over the past year, and we look forward to many more years of success. Helena and I would like to thank all our apprentices and clients for their continued support and commitment to training.”
Andrew Cooksley, ACT founder and CEO, added: “Congratulations and happy first birthday to ALS Training. It’s been fantastic to have them join the ACT family at Ocean Park House as the whole team share our passion and enthusiasm for high-quality vocational training. It’s a brilliant partnership.”
