The talents of Wales’ food and drink processing and manufacturing busineses were recognised recently (Thursday 24 February) at the Lantra Cymru Awards 2021.
The Lantra Cymru Wales awards recognises the initiatives, skills and enthusiasm of individuals pursuing careers within the environmental, land-based and food manufacturing sectors.
This is the first time that the Food Skills Cymru programme has had a category in the Lantra Cymru Awards. It is in recognition of the food and drink manufacturing and processing businesses that have undertaken training through the project over the last two years, investing in their employees and upskilling individuals in a whole range of training courses.
The Food Skills Cymru awards comprised of 3 categories Large Businesses; SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Businesses and Micro Businesses.
The award in the Large Business category went to Glanbia Cheese Ltd in Llangefni. Commenting on achieving this award Tracey Wright, Training Officer at Glanbia Cheese said,
“It’s great to get recognition for all the hard work. We have worked with Lantra now for three years, supporting us through the process, looking for suitable training providers. So we’ve benefitted massively from the programme in that aspect.”
Winner of the SME business category was Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd in Knighton. Managing Director, William Watkin said,
“Winning this award is fantastic for us as a business. We are committed to training our staff and this is kind of recognition of that.”
And winning the Micro business category was In The Welsh Wind Distillery, in Tanygroes, Ceredigion. Sally Sellwood of In The Welsh Wind Distillery said,
“Winning this award is really exciting for us. We do genuinely put a lot into training our staff. We feel that the team is only as strong as each individual and the future is looking really bright.”
Other nominees to the Food Skills Cymru categories included Randall Parker Foods, Burton’s Biscuits, South Caernarfon Creameries, Glamorgan Brewing, Bluestone Brewing and Castell Gwyn Ltd.
The Food Skills Cymru programme is delivered by Lantra and supports businesses of all sizes within the Welsh food and drink processing and manufacturing industry to ensure employees have the right skills and training for their business and the wider industry as a whole.
Commenting on the achievements of all winners and runners-up Sarah Lewis, Project Manager for Food Skills Cymru said,
“I would like to congratulate all businesses that were nominated for the Food Skills Cymru categories in the Lantra Cymru Awards. These awards highlight the exceptional achievements and contributions of these businesses who work within Wales’ food manufacturing, land-based and environmental industries as well as the many rewarding careers available in the industry.”
Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, said:
“A huge congratulations to each individual and business recognised in this year’s Lantra Cymru Wales Awards. They are all making a valuable contribution to the environmental, land-based and food manufacturing sectors here in Wales.
“The Food Skills Cymru programme plays a vital role in ensuring people and companies can reach their potential and I’m pleased it has had a catergory in this year’s awards.”
Funding for training via Food Skills Cymru is still available until the end of November 2022. The amount of funding available ranges from 50% to 80%, dependent on the size of the business. To be eligible for support, the business must have a production or manufacturing site located in Wales and be able to show a clear return on investment following the training.
Further information is available through contacting Food Skills Cymru on wales@lantra.co.uk or calling 01982 552646.
Food Skills Cymru is funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.