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Published:ÌýDaily Post, Wales Online, South Wales Evening Post and South Wales Echo

Giving an opportunity for young people to gain valuable experience in the workplace and nurturing future sport leaders for the industry –Ìýthat is whatÌýUrddÌýSport Director Gary Lewis hopes to achieve with theÌýUrddÌýGobaithÌýCymruÌýapprenticeship scheme .

UrddÌýGobaithÌýCymruÌýpromotes the use of the Welsh language and provides a range of opportunities through clubs, schools and community groups.

10 young people between 17 –Ìý24 years old started an apprenticeship with theÌýUrddÌýsix months ago, which is offered in partnership with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Training. Five are placed in theÌýUrddÌýoutdoor educational centre,ÌýGwersyllÌýGlan–llyn, with the other five working for the Sport Department in various areas across Wales including Swansea,ÌýRhonddaÌýCynonÌýTafÌýand Cardiff.

During their 12 months placements, they will gain anÌýNVQÌýlevel 2ÂÌý in Activity Leadership, National Governing Bodies QualificationsÌýas well as valuable work experience that will aid their career in the future.

ErddynÌýWilliams, a 19 year old fromÌýDyffyrnÌýArdudwy, is an apprentice based in the BangorÌýUrddÌýoffice. He said “I finished inÌýColegÌýMeirionÌýDwyforÌýlast year, and to be honest I wasn’t happy with my grades. I hadn’t done any ex-curricular activities while I was in college, so this was an excellent opportunity for me to gain the necessary experience to win a place at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

“And the first six months have been great – in the first week I got my First Aid qualification and Athletics Leader Award. Since then I’ve gained numerous qualifications and have had valuable experiences – such as holding meetings with outside organisations, making presentations and altering session plans for different age groups.ÌýSince I’ve started with theÌýUrddÌýin September, I have coached over 700 children in various sport clubs such as rugby inÌýBarmouthÌýand table tennis inÌýMenaiÌýBridge. This has been a great opportunity for me, and I am so glad that I took a year out.Ìý

With around 80 new clubs established by the Sport Department every year, the apprentices have played an important role enabling this to happen. Gary Lewis,ÌýUrddÌýDirector of Sport said, “What we need isÌýgrassrootÌýmanpower.ÂÌý We can give these young people proper industry training so that they can take the lead when establishing new communityÌýclubs -which of course means that more of our members can enjoy after school activities through the medium of Welsh.

“The apprentices are great – they are so enthusiastic and make such a difference to what we can offer locally, regionally and nationally.ÂÌý We hope that the clubs that they’ve established this year will then be run by local volunteers who have also been trained during the year.ÂÌý We are very happy to be working with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ on this scheme which is of great benefit to theÌýUrddÌýand the young people.”

TheÌýofficial launchÌýof the partnership between ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Training andÌýUrddÌýGobaithÌýCymruÌýwill be held in theÌýCardiff City Sleepover on Tuesday, 3 MarchÌýin the company ofÌýDeputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James. She said: The sports and leisure industry plays an important role in keeping the people of Wales active and healthy. I’m very pleased to see young people being offered apprenticeship schemes to build successful careers in this sector. That these programmes are offered in Welsh can only add to the career prospects of participants.

“Being able to speak and write in both Welsh and English can give someone an important advantage whether they are looking for a job or wanting to further their career.

“Businesses who offer bilingual services to the public receive a higher level of customer appreciation.”

CarolineÌýCooksley, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Development Director added, “It’s clear that the Apprentices are making a significant impact in their communities already and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is proud to be working in partnership with theÌýUrddÌýto offer our young people the chance to become skilled, qualified and employable individuals whilst supporting the Welsh language.”