Award finalist Anne is the “epitome of lifelong learning”

Anne Reardon-James is described by her employer as the “epitome of lifelong learning”, having a real thirst for knowledge which she shares to inspire her learners and colleagues in the post-16 learning network in Wales.

Anne, 46, who lives in Barry, is a Learning Advisor with Panda Education and Training, delivering Apprenticeships in Learning and Development, in partnership with ALS Training.

She was rewarded for her commitment when she won the Learning and Work Institute Inspire! Tutor of the Year 2023 award for Work Skills.

Now, Anne has been shortlisted for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024 as a Work-based Learning Practitioner of the Year finalist.

Highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers and practitioners, the awards are organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). Headline sponsor is EAL.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at ICC Wales, Newport on March 22, 2024. The awards highlight the outstanding achievements of employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners.

Currently working towards a Professional Doctorate in Education, Anne has an MA in Education, a PGCE, a degree in Behavioural Sciences and is a Fellow of SET, an Associate Fellow of the CIPD and HE Advance.

She has worked in post-16 education for 17 years, having taught adult literacy and numeracy in the community, delivered essential skills to employed learners and developed learning programmes for the probation and prison services.

Passionate about lifelong learning, Anne inspires her learners demonstrating teaching and learning techniques and approaches that they can utilise in their own practice.

Anne runs online training workshops using digital technology to enhance learning, holds monthly mentor meetings and provides in person tailored support to learners across Wales.

She is an editor of the Research and Practices in Adult Literacies journal, publishes blogs, speaks at conferences and shares ideas, resources and good practice with online network groups.

Anne is also a keen volunteer, teaching English to and supporting Ukrainian refugees in her own home, as well as shopping for and visiting housebound clients.

Rachel Arnold, director of Panda Education and Training, said: “Anne goes above and beyond to support her learners. She lives and breathes our core values – respect, quality and innovation.”

Anne said: “It’s fantastic to be able to help mentor and support people to get through their barriers and I am always trying different ways of delivery. I promote and raise the status of adult learning wherever I can.”

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething congratulated Anne and all the other finalists. “Today’s apprentices will be tomorrow’s specialists, and Apprenticeship Awards Cymru allows us to recognise apprentices, work-based learning practitioners, and employers that have gone above and beyond,” he said.

“Their tenacity, passion, and commitment to growing their own careers, the careers of others, and the larger Welsh economy is inspiring. I wish each of the finalists the best of luck at the awards and with their future endeavours.”

Congratulating the finalists, Al Parkes, managing director at EAL, said: “As the specialist awarding organisation and skills partner for the engineering and manufacturing industry, apprenticeships in Wales are especially important to us.

“Apprenticeships play an important role in supporting personal progress through career opportunities and a sense of achievement, while ensuring that employers have the right skills at the right time to keep up with evolving industry needs.

“EAL is committed to encouraging employers to take on apprentices. Marking the achievements of employers, apprentices, and work-based learning practitioners at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru is vital to this.”

For more information about recruiting an apprentice, visit: https://gov.wales/apprenticeships-genius-decision or call 03000 603000.

Picture caption:

Anne Reardon-James, passion for lifelong learning.