Lecturer and apprentice win awards at Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s annual honours

Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr won two awards at the annual Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol awards held at Canolfan S4C yr Egin.

Osian James, a carpentry apprentice at Coleg Ceredigion, won the New Talent Award in Memory of Gareth Pierce and Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer Lowri Bugg won the Innovative Educator Award for her outstanding work in encouraging learners to develop their Welsh language skills.

Lowri’s award recognises the contribution of a tutor, practitioner or assessor who provides Welsh language education in innovative ways.

The award presented to Osian James recognises the contribution of an apprentice who has shown exceptional talent in the workplace.

It was awarded in memory of former Coleg Cymraeg chairman Gareth Pierce who passed away suddenly in summer 2021.

According to Osian's tutor, his work is amongst the best the department has ever seen.

His interest in carpentry began during lockdown, when he fell in love with carpentry and created a cupboard for his mother, learning everything from YouTube.

Osian James said: "I am very grateful to receive this new award in the name of Gareth Pierce who contributed so much to the further education and apprenticeship sector.

“I love carpentry and I look forward to developing my skills and fulfilling my apprenticeship to continue working and serving my community bilingually."

Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg, said:

"Tonight's winners deserve every commendation and recognition for their highest quality work and contribution towards post-compulsory Welsh and bilingual education. Their influence raises the profile of Welsh in their organisations enormously, and we wish them well into the future."

There were five awards recognising achievements in further education and the college was thrilled to win two of the five.  

The ceremony was streamed live on the Coleg’s YouTube channel and can also be watched back.