Winners of the Valued Partner Awards 2026

Celebrating the winners of the Valued Partner Awards 2026.

Eight employers from across Wales have been recognised for the support they give to young people. The winners were announced at a special event held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on 28 January 2026.

These awards celebrate employers that help pupils learn about the world of work.

They do this by offering real experiences, such as:

• Workplace visits
• Talks
• Workshops
• Work experience
• Mentoring

These activities help young people connect what they learn in school to real jobs and future opportunities.

Why these awards are important

Good careers support can change a young person’s life. When pupils meet employers, they can:

• See the range of jobs available in Wales
• Learn what skills they need for the future
• Grow in confidence
• Make better choices about subjects, courses and career paths
• Be inspired

The Valued Partner Awards highlight the employers who make this possible every year.

This year’s winners

Outstanding Achievement Award: Hafren Dyfrdwy

Hafren Dyfrdwy has provided strong, ongoing support to schools across Wrexham and North Powys. They offered many activities. These including mock interviews, careers carousels, CV workshops and apprentice talks. They also delivered STEM and environmental sessions that explore topics like climate change. Their activities help young people build confidence and understand real jobs.

Working with Careers Wales gives us the chance to support young people at a pivotal moment in their lives and receiving this award is a real honour. As a water company we cover a small patch with around 100,000 customers, and we’re incredibly proud that we’ve been able to support more than 3,000 learners through the partnership. Being able to give back to our community in such a local and meaningful way truly matters to us.”

Katie Wood, Community Relationships Manager at Hafren Dyfrdwy

Best Newcomer: Atlas Copco

In the past year, Atlas Copco supported several schools. They provided activities to help pupils learn about careers in engineering and manufacturing. Their team ran speed networking sessions and hands-on CV sessions. They also delivered STEM workshops where pupils built model vehicles. They are now working with schools to plan future site visits. Atlas Copco’s goal is to inspire more young people to consider careers in the sector.

I wasn’t expecting it at all, so it was a bit of a surprise, but I’m really proud to know that all the hard work we’ve been doing has been recognised. As an engineering company, we know how important it is to engage with young people to show them what opportunities are available."

Giorgia Paoloni, HR business partner at Atlas Copco

Best Ongoing Relationship with a School: voco St. David's Cardiff

voco St. David's Cardiff has supported Willows High School for three years. The team runs cookery demos, careers sessions and hands‑on workshops for pupils. They work closely with teachers to time activities around lessons and exams. Their support encourages pupils and offers hands-on experience in hospitality and catering.

For me, it’s all about inspiring the next generation, bringing the children in and teaching them, showing them a working kitchen and just getting them involved and allowing to see what a career looks like in hospitality."

 

Richard Howard, head chef at voco St. David’s Cardiff

Most Supportive Work Experience Employer: Cambrian Village Trust

Cambrian Village Trust have offered placements to five local young people. These placements included carpentry, maintenance, hospitality, catering and childcare. They created simple and flexible plans for each learner. They also adjusted hours, start times and tasks to help them settle in. The Trust team got to know each young person well. They created activities that matched their interests, skills, and goals.

We feel ecstatic to have won a Valued Partner Award. As an organisation, we do a variety of things with young people. We have alternate education, we have the football club, we have the Lakeside café onsite, then we run programmes for the community as well. We’re such a small team and we know we make a big impact, but for it to be recognised is fantastic, and to win is even more amazing.”

Brittony Price, community development coordinator at Cambrian Village Trust

Most Supportive Small Business: The Potting Shed Café

The Potting Shed Café has given pupils hands-on experience in a real working kitchen and café. Young people learned practical skills such as making sandwiches and preparing drinks. The team visited schools to run cookery demos. They also offered flexible, inclusive activities for pupils with different learning needs. They continue to support projects like the Tasty Careers Challenge. The café plans to make and sell the product of the challenge’s winning school. 

We’re delighted to have won this award. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our work and to know that the young people genuinely enjoy their time with us. We strongly believe in engaging young people in careers that encourage creativity and offer something in hospitality".

Jon White, Manager of The Potting Shed Café

Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace: Swansea Bay University Health Board

Swansea Bay University Health Board supports pupils to see Welsh as a valuable workplace skill. They created a “Welsh in the Workplace Challenge”. This tasks pupils to design ideas to use more Welsh during the working day. Their Welsh Language Officer also talks to pupils about the importance of bilingualism. Their work helps young people understand how Welsh can support their future careers.

We’re thrilled that Swansea Bay University Health Board has been recognised as the ‘Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace’. Supporting young people to develop confidence in the Welsh language and to see its real‑world value in healthcare, is something we are very passionate about. Through our school and college partnerships, widening access work and apprenticeship programmes, we aim to create opportunities that inspire the next generation and celebrate the importance of bilingualism within NHS Wales. We are proud to work with Careers Wales to help young people build confidence, raise aspirations and see the NHS as a welcoming and inclusive place to start their careers. It’s a privilege to play a part in helping young people explore their talents, grow in confidence and feel empowered about their future.”

 

Victoria Williams, Careers, Widening Access & Work Experience Manager and Melanie Lloyd, Widening Access and Honorary Agreement Support Officer at Swansea Bay University Health Board

Best Supporter of the Net Zero Agenda: Morlais

Morlais supports learners to learn about renewable energy and net zero careers. The team takes part in careers events, workshops and school challenges across Anglesey. Morlais also hosts green-sector career events. These events let pupils meet employers and explore future opportunities in the industry.

Being a part of this award is so special, and winning is the icing on the cake for us. It’s been quite surreal and inspiring. We are very eager to bring benefits to the next generation, and working with schools and pupils is really important for us. Hearing pupils at the event today share how the Work in Focus challenge inspired them, and seeing everything coming together, has been incredible."

Fiona Parry, community benefits manager at Menter Môn Morlais

Outstanding Personal Contribution: Conor Lynn – Berry Smith Lawyers

Conor Lynn is a solicitor at Berry Smith Solicitors. He has shown a strong commitment to supporting Careers Wales and schools in Wales. Conor is enthusiastic and professional. He helps students realise that careers in law, and any profession, are within their reach. This makes him a strong ambassador for careers education and employer engagement.

I was genuinely honoured and quite overwhelmed to have won the award. Giving young people the opportunity to understand their options and feel more confident about their future is something I care deeply about."

Conor Lynn, Family Law Solicitor at Berry Smith Lawyers

A message from Careers Wales

We are very proud to celebrate this year’s winners, whose support has made a real and lasting difference to young people across Wales. Their willingness to share their time, knowledge and experience plays a vital role in engaging with pupils and helping them to explore career pathways that are available to them and understand the world of work.

On behalf of myself and everyone at Careers Wales, I want to extend our warmest congratulations and thanks to all of our winners and nominees for the invaluable support they provide.”

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive at Careers Wales

Find out more

For more information on employer engagement with schools, visit the Careers Wales employer pages.

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