Gower College Swansea is delighted to have made the shortlist for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026, in the Diversity and Inclusion category.
The FE Week and AELP Apprenticeship and Training Awards, in association with City & Guilds, celebrate the outstanding achievements of employers and training providers from across the UK. These prestigious awards recognise those who are shaping a highly skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce through their commitment to apprenticeships and wider training and development.
At Gower College Swansea, promoting diversity and inclusion is central to our apprenticeship and training programmes. In recent years, we have transformed access, participation and success for learners from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with disabilities, long-term health conditions and additional learning needs (ALN).
Since 2015, the proportion of apprentices declaring ALN has grown from 1.6% to 15% of apprenticeship starts in 2023/24, representing a 205% increase in enrolments, with an outstanding 75% achievement rate. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our inclusive approach in providing opportunities and removing barriers.
Mental health and wellbeing underpin all aspects of our inclusion strategy. The College has developed a mental health and wellbeing toolkit, which is accessible 24/7 via Moodle, and which provides practical guidance, self-help resources, and links to professional support for apprentices, employers, and staff.
Its impact is significant: 1,853 students and 1,029 staff accessed the toolkit in 2023/24, and 1,397 students and 654 staff in 2024/25, reflecting its widespread engagement and value. This is complemented by Togetherall, offering round-the-clock anonymous, clinically moderated mental health support, ensuring learners can access immediate and safe wellbeing support.
Over 300 members of staff have completed equality, diversity and inclusion training, with more than 200 completing specialist neurodiversity awareness training, and over 100 being trained as mental health first aiders.
To strengthen specialist support, the College has appointed an ALN Manager to lead a dedicated team of neurodiversity and cognitive ALN specialists, supported by SEND Coordinators, Learning Support Officers and Work-Based Learning Managers.
Accessibility is further enhanced through assistive technology loans, in-class support, and adaptive learning materials, alongside partnerships with national experts in dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, and sensory impairments.
Our inclusive practice has been recognised nationally, including the Stonewall Bronze Award 2023, Healthy Working Wales Best Diversity and Inclusion Initiative 2021, and CIPD Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative 2023.
“Gower College Swansea is committed to building on its achievements to continue advancing diversity and inclusion across all apprenticeship programmes,” says Principal Paul Kift. “Our future plans focus on expanding access, enhancing wellbeing support and embedding inclusive practice across the learner and employer journey with a strong focus on employer and community engagement.
“We will continue to create an inclusive apprenticeship environment where diversity is celebrated, barriers are removed and where every apprentice has the tools, confidence and support to reach their full potential.”
The Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026 will take place on 3 March.