RCT Council Receives Princess Royal Training Award
Written by Gavin on 7th October 2022
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Education, Employment and Training Team, has achieved a 2022 Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its commitment to training and the positive impact that developing staff has had on the local authority.
The Council is one of just 46 recipients around the country of the Princess Royal Training Award standard this year – each showing a commitment to invest in its workforce.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, the third largest local authority in Wales, has over 10,000 employees. More than 10 years ago, it identified an opportunity to invest in employment and training through the development of its successful Apprenticeship Programme.
Many of those apprentices over the last decade have gone on to carve successful careers for themselves as the Council continues to provide career opportunities and sustainable employment for local people.
Councillor Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Deputy Leader, said:
“It is a huge honour for us to be a recipient of the Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of our training opportunities and investment in our staff, particularly our successful and extremely popular Apprenticeship and Graduate programmes.
“As one of the largest employers in the local area, we recognise the importance of creating high-quality, well-paid jobs, with learning opportunities, for our residents – and it has never been more important than now.
“The Council provides a wide array of services, and our apprentice and graduate opportunities reflect this with varied posts made available each year. Our graduate programme gives successful applicants the opportunity to develop as managers of the future, while gaining industry-recognised qualifications.”
Now in its seventh year, The Princess Royal Training Awards continue to recognise organisations which are truly demonstrating exceptional commitment to learning and development. With skills shortages across the UK increasing, and job vacancies doubling, creating engaging learning programmes to grow and retain new and existing talent has never been more crucial.
Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, said:
“The Princess Royal Training Awards demonstrate how training and development can open up opportunities and attract new talent to industries with significant skills gaps and labour shortages.
“Yet again, this year’s recipients have shown the range and depth of learning and development that is taking place in their own organisations to shape growth and positivity, from the power of skills development to address issues such as improving diversity and inclusion, through to programmes to address the ongoing impact of climate change.
“As we all work towards a net zero future, we hope to see even more training programmes recognised for their work in supporting this vitally important issue, amongst many other areas that create organisational and people development.”