Celebrating student success at the Cardiff and Vale College Annual Awards 2024

Cardiff and Vale College has celebrated the hard work, success and progression of its learners and apprentices at the College’s Annual awards 2024.

Hundreds of attendees from across the spectrum of local business, education partners and the community joined learners, their friends and families for the Awards. The glittering Winter Wonderland event was held in the College’s City Centre Campus and was hosted by broadcaster, journalist and CAVC alumni Jason Mohammad and featured performances by Performing Arts learners.

Showcasing highlights of the 2023-24 academic year (see full list of winners below), the awards also illustrate the unique experiences and progression opportunities CAVC has to offer.

Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James-Evans said: “The achievements of our awards have been absolutely amazing. I would like to congratulate them all – the brilliant learners and apprentices, and the talented and hard-working staff who have supported them to achieve so much.

“It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that provides opportunities to so many. Learning changes lives; sometimes this is subtle, sometimes it is huge and life-changing. But it always makes a difference.”

All of the students recognised on the evening have either won national or regional competitions in their chosen disciplines; progressed into apprenticeships and employment with renowned companies; gained places in subject leading universities or performed exceptionally in their studies.

One such learner was the Overall Learner of the Year Award, Level 3 Heavy Vehicle apprentice Mihaly Zeke.

Mihaly, who also won the Automotive Award, has shown diligence and dedication during his three years at the College who has shown exceptional skills. He has passed 14 Institute of the Motor Industry exams – and all of them first time, which is rare.

In 2022, Mihaly entered Skills Competition Wales for the first time, winning a bronze medal. Not content with that, Mihaly entered again in 2023 and 2024, winning gold both times. More recently, Mihaly became the first CAVC competitor in the WorldSkills UK in Heavy Vehicle and the first to won gold as well.

“I didn’t think I was going to win the overall award – it’s incredible,” Mihaly said. “I can’t put it into words. It’s a privilege to be holding this award in my hands.”

He hadn’t even expected to win in his category.

“It was really unexpected; my tutor asked me if I wanted to be nominated and I said ‘Why not?’. Then I got an email saying I’d won in Automotive.,” he said. “I was really happy!”

Mihaly has enjoyed his time at CAVC.

“My time at the College has been really good,” he said. “I’ve had really great tutors and support that I would never have asked for – it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed just how helpful my tutors have been and how much they work to progress my knowledge.”

Last month, Mihaly travelled to Manchester to compete in Heavy Vehicle at the WorldSkills UK Finals – the UK branch of the world-wide ‘Skills Olympics’ – and came away with a gold medal.

“I still can’t believe I won a gold medal at the WorldSkills UK Finals,” he said. “It’s crazy and not something I would ever have expected when I started my apprenticeship. I’m over the moon about it.

“The College has definitely helped me – it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come in the last three years. A lot of that comes down to the time I’ve spent with my tutors and the time I’ve spent at the College.”

Fellow WorldSkills UK Finalist Remi Evans won the Hairdressing and Theatrical Make-Up Award.

Excelling at her Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects, hair and Media Make-Up course since day one, Remi has taken up all of the opportunities and work experience offered to her. She has worked as a make-up artist for Cardiff Fashion Week, Cardiff Met Fashion Show, St Fagans’ Halloween Nights, the Welsh National Opera and an It’s My Shout film for the BBC.

“I feel amazing – it’s amazing to be here having an experience like this,” Remi said of winning her award.

“CAVC has been fantastic – I’ve had so many work experience opportunities and my tutors have been brilliant. It’s a fast-paced course, it pressures you to be the best but the tutors are incredible.”

Despite not placing at the Skills Competition Wales Finals, Remi was undeterred and entered the WorldSkills UK Finals, where unfortunately she once again did not place. But it hasn’t knocked Remi back, only strengthened her resolve.

“Competing in the WorldSkills UK Finals was an amazing learning curve,” she said “I didn’t end up placing but it’s pushed me to compete next year and do better, and I can use what I’ve learned this year to help the other people who are taking part. It’s opened lots of doors for me, regardless of whether I won or not.

“I want to go into the industry and do theatre make-up and work alongside these incredibly talented people. I’ve been supported by the College with work experience and masterclasses that were tailored around me, and there was loads of support when I did WorldSkills UK. The College really cares.”

Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment learner Will Burt won the Construction Award.

Starting off at CAVC on a Level 1 then Level 2 Plastering learner, Will soon showed a passion for the construction industry and motivation so succeed. Changes to the qualification changes meant the only Level 3 progression route was the Construction and Built Environment BTEC, which Will seized and completed with triple Merits.

Will has now progressed to a Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Construction and is testament to how applying himself to one trade has opened doors into other study opportunities in the sector.

“It’s a bit of a change, really!” Will joked about winning his award. “It’s definitely a surprise – when I found out a couple of week ago it was a good feeling.”

He has enjoyed his time at the College.

“It’s good,” Will said. “I’m coming into my fifth year. It’s staying in the same place but for a good reason: everything is progressing really well with great support and I’ve got the best tutors who are all there for you.

“I’ve currently got a job and it’s what I like to do. I’m a trainee Project Manager with Lancer Scott West while still studying at the College. The College definitely helped me with that; I had a chat with my tutors and I was able to take time for the interview and one of the tutors gave me the best of his wisdom going into it.”

A Levels learner Jaya Dodiya won the Welsh Award, sponsored by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Since joining the Welsh Ambassadors team, Jaya has show outstanding dedication to the Welsh language, CAVC Community and the team. She has organised Welsh clubs, competes Ambassador tasks, and actively participates in live events including CAVC Open Evenings, stalls on College event days, podcasting sessions and events such as Tafwyl and Cerdd Dant.

Jaya has been an integral part of the Welsh Ambassadors team, and has signed up to a mentoring scheme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Welsh speakers.

“I feel really happy to have won this award – it’s really good to have your efforts recognised,” Jaya said. “And I’m happy to have had an impact on the College when it’s had such a big influence for me over the last two years.

“I’ve loved my time at the College. It’s given me so many opportunities to get new skills, especially coming straight from high school. It’s more of a real-life experience and it’s given me more confidence and shown me I can make a difference and to keep trying.”

The Welsh Ambassador scheme was a bonus for Jaya.

“My role as a Welsh Ambassador was a really interesting experience, and it’s encouraging for anyone coming to the College from a Welsh language school,” she said. “I’ve had so many opportunities.

“CAVC has definitely helped me – the confidence I’ve got from being a Welsh Ambassador helped me think in a different way. I actually feel like an adult after my two years at the College. I feel like I can move and be part of the studying world at university.”

Level 3 Cyber Security learner Elin Forster won the Computing Award.

An exemplary learner who achieved outstanding grades, Elin also supported her peers and built an excellent relationship with her tutors. Alongside other learners she volunteered to create online resources and tools for Romodels, a new charity looking to challenge stereotypes in Welsh primary schools and help pupils develop digital skills.

As part of this, Elin worked with social media and marketing teams in America as well as working with local schools. She also regularly volunteered at Llanedeyrn Primary School, helping to set up extracurricular activities.

“I feel absolutely grateful to have won this award – it’s outstanding,” Elin said. “I never thought I’d win.

“I loved my time at the College. It was a great step for me and it helped me expand what I am as a person as well as my knowledge. The tutors really set out to help so much no matter how stuck I was.

“My tutors also helped me to get a work experience opportunity with a charity which I really enjoyed working with.”

Elin completed her course with excellent grades of Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction and has progressed on to Cardiff Metropolitan University. She plans to purse a career in IT, making a positive contribution to communities in Wales.

“CAVC has 100% helped me – I wouldn’t be going to university if I hadn’t come to the College.” Elin said. “The tutors helped build me so much.”

The Art, Design and Digital Award was one by Isabella Baker. A Level 3 Creative Media, Production and Technology (Film and television) learner, Isabella achieved high grades on all of her projects.

In her Final Major Project in Year 1 she hired professional actors and directed them admirably to produce an impression sitcom. Isabella is also continually seeking to improve her media skillset and spent time with the CAVC Jason Mohammad Academy, lending her expertise to edit some of the learners’ work and help them complete their projects, and working with It’s My Shout on their summer scheme.

“Winning this award has made me feel so proud of myself and very happy,” Isabella said.

“I enjoyed the individualism and freedom at College. This course allowed me to be myself and grow as a person. I really enjoyed my time – there was so much more independence and freedom than you would get at school.

“I also enjoyed all the community with everybody collaborating – especially in the Creative Department. Working with the Jason Mohammad Academy was good as I was able to get some experience of working with journalists which was very interesting.

“I would like to work within the film industry and the College is definitely helping me – it’s helped me learn so many new skills and it’s also helped me to grow as a person without necessarily having to take any exams.”

The CAVC Family Award was jointly awarded to A Levels learners Charlotte Clark and Sara Teixeira for their work as President and Vice President respectively of the College’s Students Union.

The College’s Alumni Awards went to former Rugby Academy players Ben Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Jacob Beetham and Mackenzie Martin. All four have made great strides in their professional Rugby Union careers since graduating; playing for Cardiff Rugby and rising through the Welsh age system to the senior international side, with all four selected to represent Wales together on the tour of Australia this year.

Four former learners playing for Wales together this year was a proud moment for the College and a real inspiration to current and future learners.

College partner organisations Adult and Family Learning at Pencaerau Primary School, Boeing, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, FOR Cardiff, The Parkgate Hotel and Wates were also celebrated for their innovative approaches and outstanding commitment to training and learning.

Cardiff and Vale College would like to thank the University of South Wales and Computer World Wales for sponsoring the event, ensuring the awards could celebrate learner achievement in style.