Itec Skills and Employment was pleased to join Orbis Education & Care yesterday as the Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden MS visited Tegfan House, one of Orbis’ residential services supporting children and young adults with learning disabilities, autism and increasingly complex social, emotional and mental health needs. The visit offered an opportunity to highlight how high‑quality apprenticeships delivered by Itec are helping to strengthen the specialist care workforce across Wales.

Itec’s Julie Dyer said, “It was a pleasure to host today’s meeting between Minister Dawn Bowden MS, Orbis Education & Care, and Itec. What an excellent opportunity to showcase the outstanding work that apprenticeship providers and employers deliver throughout Apprenticeship Week here in Wales. We are extremely proud of our partnership with Orbis, supporting apprentices from foundation to higher‑level qualifications, and celebrating the dedication and passion of their incredible team.”

The Minister was welcomed by Orbis representatives including Debra Derham, Head of Learning & Development; Service Manager Victoria Joseph; and two current apprentices, Senior Support Worker Nicola Lee and Support Worker Suzanne Hartley, who are completing their Level 4 and CYP Health & Social Care qualifications respectively. From Itec, Head of Operations Julie Dyer attended to represent the training provider’s role in supporting the partnership. Throughout the visit, Orbis staff described the trauma‑informed, person‑centred support provided within Tegfan and the rising complexity of needs among the young people who live there.

The Minister said, “I came to Tegfan House this morning with Orbis Care and had the opportunity to talk to management and staff here. The staff in particular have been great because it’s the opportunity to talk to apprentices that have been through training programmes, apprenticeship programmes, developing their careers. It’s been absolutely fantastic to see how that works effectively and how the company can not just recruit their staff, but train them, enhance their career progression and then retain them into the company for the benefit of the residents so this is absolutely the kind of thing that we are looking for in our apprenticeship programmes so its been great to see this working today.”

A key moment of the visit was the Minister’s conversation with Nicola and Suzanne, who spoke about their apprenticeship journeys and the impact of work‑based learning on their confidence, empathy and day‑to‑day practice. They explained how hands‑on training allows them to apply new skills immediately while being supported by assessors who understand the realities of their roles.

Apprentice Nicola said, “College didn’t work for me, but this works. It’s very helpful to do the qualification at the same time as you are doing the actual role because when I was in college, I was doing a childcare course and there’s a lot of things that don’t make sense until you are working in that kind of job. I feel like it makes you stick to the job as well, motivates you to stick to it.”

Staff from Orbis and Itec also discussed how their long‑standing partnership has developed through consistent communication, trust and shared values. More than 70 Orbis employees are currently completing Health & Social Care apprenticeships from Levels 2 to 5 with Itec, supporting career progression, regulatory compliance and the development of a compassionate, stable workforce. The visit concluded with a photo opportunity to mark the occasion.

This visit occurred on the same day that Joyce Watson MS, Co-chair of the Cross Party Group on Apprenticeships said at the Senedd Apprenticeship Week 2026 event,

“What is so remarkable about apprenticeships is the diversity. They’re not limited to one sector or one industry. Here in Wales there is no one-size-fits all to learning and also career development. No matter where you passion lies there is an apprenticeship pathway to help you build your career.

“These opportunities ensure that we have a skilled workforce to support NHS and social care services and we all recognise that as a growing priority. That’s just one example about how apprenticeships are not only about building careers but about building a stronger, more compassionate Wales.”

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising todays even to all the exhibitors and apprentices who are here to share with us their experiences. Your work is inspiring. It remind us all of the power of apprenticeship. Let us continue to champion apprenticeships not just in Apprenticeship Week but every week as we work together to build a brighter Wales.”