Learning Can Take You Anywhere: Celebrating Learner Journeys at Itec’s JGW+ Awards

Written By Adele Hughes, JGW+ Operations Manager

Itec proudly hosts this year’s Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) Learner Awards, celebrating the journeys, achievements, and personal growth of learners from across Wales, alongside the vital support of our employer partners.

Building on the success of previous ceremonies, this year’s awards embrace a new theme: “Learning Can Take You Anywhere.” The theme reflects the diverse paths learners take through the JGW+ programme, highlighting progress, resilience, collaboration, and future ambition.

The awards continue to shine a spotlight on the determination and commitment learners show as they develop skills, confidence, and direction, often overcoming significant challenges along the way.
Itec’s JGW+ Operations Manager, Adele Hughes, said:
“Each year, we are inspired by the journeys our learners take. This year’s theme, Learning Can Take You Anywhere, perfectly captures the growth, courage, and aspiration we see every day across our centres. These awards are about recognising not just achievement, but the journey behind it.”
This year, eight learner awards reflect the spirit of exploration, progress, and possibility that runs throughout the JGW+ programme.

The Award Categories

🌍 Global Excellence Award

(formerly Outstanding Progress Award)
Celebrating learners who have reached inspiring landmarks on their learning journey.

Runner Ups – Duncan (Port Talbot), Finley Walker (Pontypridd)

Winners- Loly Reddy (Neath), Ysef Asif (Cardiff)

💪 Endurance Explorer Award

(formerly Resilience & Determination Award)
Recognising learners who keep moving forward despite obstacles, showing stamina and grit.

Runner Ups – Luke Byrnes (Swansea), Jack Evans (Cwmbran)

Winners- Christina Smith (Bridgend), Ella Coghlan (Blackwood)

🌟 Guiding Star Award

(formerly Inspirational Learner Award)
Honouring learners who positively influence others and light the way for their peers.

Runner Ups – Lexy Jon (Swansea), Alexa May (Abergavenny)

Winners- Luke Fullerton (Neath)

🤝 Fellow Traveller Award

(formerly Peer Recognition Award)
A learner-nominated award celebrating those who make the journey better for everyone around them.

Runner Ups – Chenice Anthony (Neath), Harley Harrison (Blackwood)

Winners- Cathryn Edwards (Bridgend), Abi Jenkins (Merthyr)

👥 Team Expedition Award

(formerly Teamwork Award)
Celebrating learners who thrive through collaboration and collective success.

Runner Ups – Duncan (Port Talbot)

Winners- Nathan Rees (Port Talbot)

💡 Pioneer Award

(formerly Innovation & Creativity Award)
Recognising learners who break new ground with creative thinking and fresh ideas.

Runner Ups – Leigha-Rae Stamp (Port Talbot), Holly Creighton (Abergavenny)

Winners- Oliver Harford (Swansea), Ffion Brown (Cardiff)

🎖 Exemplar Award

(formerly Tutor’s Choice Award)
Selected by tutors to recognise all-round excellence and outstanding personal growth.

Runner Ups – Christina Smith (Bridgend)

Winners- Julia Humka (Neath), Stephanie Oosterloo (Cardiff)

🚀 Future Ready Award

Celebrating learners actively preparing for their next step into work, education, or training, showing initiative, adaptability, and ambition.

Runner Ups – Aleena Anwar (Barry)

Winners- Kiera Hiartt (Cwmbran)

Ysef Asif – Global Excellence Award Winner – Cardiff

Leigha-Rae Stamp – Pioneer Award Runner Up – Port Talbot

Nathan Rees – Team Expedition Award Winner – Port Talbot

Oliver Harford – Pioneer Award Winner – Swansea

Kiera Hiartt – Future Ready Award Winner – Cwmbran

As well as learners’ families and friends, the ceremonies welcome employer partners who provide invaluable placements and real-world learning opportunities, playing a crucial role in shaping learner success.

The JGW+ Learner Awards continue to reflect Itec’s commitment to supporting young people to grow, thrive, and discover just how far learning can take them.