West Wales employer recognised at Careers Wales Valued Partner Awards 2026

Swansea Bay University Health Board honoured for promoting Welsh in the workplace at national ceremony in Cardiff Bay

A LEADING West Wales employer has been recognised at a national awards ceremony celebrating excellence in careers education and employer engagement with young people across Wales.

Careers Wales announced the winners of its 2026 Valued Partner Awards at a ceremony held on 28 January 2026 at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, recognising organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to supporting pupils through high-quality, meaningful careers education.

In West Wales, Swansea Bay University Health Board was honoured with the Best Promoter of Welsh in the Workplace award, in recognition of its work supporting young people to develop confidence in the Welsh language and understand its real-world value in healthcare settings.

The annual awards celebrate employers who go above and beyond in working with schools and colleges to deliver engaging careers experiences, helping pupils connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities and make informed choices about their futures.

Over the past year, winning organisations have delivered workshops, mentoring programmes, workplace visits and a wide range of activities designed to inspire young people, broaden horizons and open pathways into employment and training across multiple sectors.

The winners, representing communities across Wales, were revealed live at the ceremony by event host Sian Lloyd.

Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, said: “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 helping pupils explore the career pathways 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.”

Minister for Skills, Jack Sargeant, also praised the award recipients, highlighting the importance of strong partnerships between education and industry.

He said: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of this year’s Valued Partner Awards. These organisations demonstrate the power of partnership between employers and schools in opening doors for our young people.

“I’m pleased to see Atlas Copco recognised as Best Newcomer – as my former employer, I know first-hand the value they place on developing young talent. By sharing their expertise and providing real-world experiences, they are helping to build a skilled and confident workforce for Wales’s future.”

Representatives from Swansea Bay University Health Board welcomed the recognition, describing the award as a reflection of long-term commitment to bilingualism, inclusion and youth development.

Victoria Williams, Careers, Widening Access & Work Experience Manager, and Melanie Lloyd, Widening Access and Honorary Agreement Support Officer, said: “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.”