Cardiff and Vale College celebrates student success at the CAVC Annual Awards 2025
Cardiff and Vale College has celebrated the hard work, success and progression of its learners and apprentices at the College’s Annual awards 2025.
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 Music and Performing Arts learners.
Showcasing highlights of the 2024-25 academic year (see full list of winners below), the awards also illustrate the unique experiences and progression opportunities CAVC has to offer.
CAVC Principal Sharon James-Evans said: “The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the success of our brilliant learners and some of the fantastic organisations we are proud to work with.
“Every learner has shown resilience and determination to achieve what they have and we celebrate you and your journey.
“And behind every learner stands the teachers, mentors, family and friends who believed and supported you. So, we also celebrate them. Together, you’ve shown what happens when talent meets opportunity, and determination is backed by a community.”
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.
Two such examples are Daniel James and Jessica Mantle, who were joint winners of the Overall Learner of the Year Award.
Daniel, who also won the Computing Award, has been an outstanding learner, achieving the highest grades possible in all coursework and exams. A talented, hard-working and thoughtful member of his class, he has gone from strength to strength on his course. Always looking to test himself, Daniel competed in Skills Competition Wales and won gold, and more recently proved himself to be the best at what he does in the country by winning gold in the WorldSkils UK Finals in Network Infrastructure Technician.
“I think so many people here this evening have done so well it’s a shock to receive this Overall Learner of the Year Award,” Daniel said. “I feel immensely proud and grateful to the College for the opportunities it has given me.”
The accolade comes less than a week after Daniel won his gold medal at the WorldSkills UK Finals.
“WorldSkills was really fun – I’m still recovering from winning a gold medal!” Daniel said. “I enjoyed all aspects of the competition as well as meeting all the other competitors. Taking part in WorldSkills has been a great opportunity for me and it’s something I wouldn’t have been able to do without the College.
“I’m looking to go to university next then do anything in IT. I’m particularly interested in quantum computers. The College has definitely helped me with my ambitions and I think that stuff like taking part in WorldSkills helps you to become more confident and ambitious.”
Jessica Mantle also won the Performance Sport Award. The Sport and Exercise Science learner has progressed into Higher Education while excelling in elite athletics. While studying, Jessica has won the silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the European Under-20s Championships and representing Welsh Athletics in national and international events.
She has recorded personal bests of 11.49 seconds in the 100m and 7.52 seconds in the 60m, placing her among the top-ranked sprinters in her age group. Jessica’s ability to manage both academic and sporting excellence in a testament to her discipline, determination and time management.
“I’m very grateful that I won this award and to be chosen from all other brilliant winners here at the Awards,” Jessica said. “I really didn’t expect it and I’m also grateful to the College for its help.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the College. Everyone has been very supportive, especially when I’ve been having to balance sport and study at the same time. The College has helped me to achieve so much and helped me to meet my aspirations.”
Callum Giles won the Equality, Diversity and inclusion Award. Now on the Supported Internship CAVC runs in partnership with Cardiff University, Giles always makes a real difference in helping others feel welcome at the College. He led tours for learners coming up from high school, encouraging them to get involved.
Callum has also brought learners together through community trips and the Foundation Learning Community Show, where he took the lead role last year. Callum is inclusive, confident and encouraging – a joy to be around and a brilliant example of what it means to create a sense of belonging at College.
“Winning this award is delightful but it was also a bit of a shock,” Callum said. “I didn’t really know about the awards.
“I’ve had a really enjoyable time at the College – I especially liked going to the Dome. I’m on the Supported Internship now and I’m really enjoying that too.
“I’d like to work in either retail, as a barista or maybe in childcare. The College has helped me with my ambitions.”
The Beauty and Complementary therapies Award went to Anisa Abdin. A conscientious learner with an exceptional work ethic, Anisa approaches each teaching session with enthusiasm, curiosity and the determination to achieve excellence. Anisa has shown remarkable growth in her confidence and ability, and has a passion for the industry, displaying a high level of technical skill and a client-centred approach.
“I feel really happy to have won this award,” Anisa said. “I’ve enjoyed the course – it’s been a lot of hard work but I’ve been doing what I love which is Beauty Therapy and it’s been really fun. We’re in a small group and everyone’s friends so we’re close and always helping each other. That’s really good to have.”
Anisa has also competed in the Beauty Therapy Heats of Skills Competition Wales, and more recently the WorldSkills UK Finals.
“The skills competitions were really new to me,” Anisa said. “When my tutor said who wants to enter I really didn’t want to but I thought it was a competition, why not? Now I really want to do it again.”
Less than a week before the Awards, Anisa was Highly Commended in the WorldSkills UK Beauty Therapy Finals.
“At the WorldSkills UK Finals to be honest I was a little bit upset at first to not win a medal because I’d worked so very hard,” Anisa said. “But then I saw my name come up on the screen as Highly Commended and that was really good – apparently I was in the top eight so that was really good too.
“I think things like WorldSkills open a lot of doors to the sector which I want to work in. Putting something like that on your CV will impress any employer so it’s great that the College takes part in them. It 100% definitely will help me achieve my ambitions.”
The CAVC Family Award went to Zac Lynam for his hard work as Captain of the CAVC Rugby Academy, leading from the front and keeping the group tight, and for his willingness to participate in extra curricular activities such as attending ministerial visits to the College.
College partner organisations Aston Martin, Cardiff Council, Cyber College Cymru, Grangetown Nursery, PwC UK and UK Government (Integrated Corporate Services) were also celebrated for their innovative approaches and outstanding commitment to training and learning.
| Award Winner | Award Category | Course |
| Esther Nakidde | Access | Access to Biosciences |
| Ilyssa Magill | Aeronautical Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering – Level 3 |
| Adrian Koman and Luasz Koman | A Levels | A Levels |
| Ryan Lewis | Art, Design and Digital Media | Creative Media Production and Technology – Extended Diploma |
| Logan Sweet | Automotive | Vehicle Body Refinishing – Level 3 |
| Anisa Abdin | Beauty and Complementary Therapies | Beauty and Spa Therapy – NVQ Level 2 |
| Joseph Burgess | Building Services | Wall and Floor Tiling – Level 3 |
| Caroline Gleeson | Business | Accounting – AAT Professional Diploma |
| Maram Alzokari | Childcare | Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development – Level 3 |
| Daniel James | Computing | Computing with Coding – Level 3 Extended Diploma |
| Ioniri Conte | Construction | Site Carpentry – Level 2 |
| Haneen Ali | Education | Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools – Level 3 |
| Henry Newton | Engineering | Engineering Technologies (Advanced) – Extended Diploma |
| Vitaliia Popova | ESOL | ESOL – Entry 2 |
| Dominic Watson | Esports | Esports – Level 3 National Diploma |
| Chloe Quinn | Foundation Learning | Towards Independence – Pathway 2 |
| Zero Alsop | Hairdressing and Theatrical Make-Up | Hairdressing – Level 3 |
| Saira Akter | Health and Social Care | Health and Social Care |
| Mary Antunes | Hospitality, Catering and Bakery | Bakery, Patisserie and Confectionery – Level 3 |
| Georgia Bailey | Music and Performing Arts | Performing Arts Practice – Level 3 |
| Callum Jones | Public Services | Public Services – Level 3 Extended Diploma |
| Yusef Moore | Sport | Sports Coaching – Level 3 Extended Diploma |
| Grace Hudson | Travel and tourism | Tourism and Cabin Crew – Level 3 Diploma |
| Janine Price | Adult and Community | Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools – Level 1 |
| Owen Thomas | Apprenticeship | Vehicle Body repair – Level 3 |
| Sagal Maryam Ismail | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | Science – Diploma |
| Callum Giles | Supported Internship – Cardiff University | |
| Shadi Elzein | Higher Education | BEng (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering |
| Lee Hatim | HNC Technical Make-Up Artistry, TV, Film and Theatre | |
| Diego Rios | International | IELTS Academic English – Level B2 |
| Evie Pope | Junior Apprenticeship | Junior Apprenticeship |
| Jessica Mantle | Performance Sport | Sport and Exercise Science – Extended Diploma |
| Michael Panteli | Professional Learning | ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management |
| Aimee Morgan | CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management | |
| Aidan Bowen | Welsh award (Sponsored by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol) | Accounting – AAT Advanced Diploma |
| Aston Martin | Business and Partner | |
| Cardiff Council | ||
| Cyber College Cymru | ||
| Grangetown Nursery | ||
| PwC UK | ||
| UK Government (Integrated Corporate Services) | ||
| Zac Lynam | CAVC Family | |
| Steffan Pearson | Alumni | |
| Pru Orridge MBE | ||
| Daniel James | Overall Learner of the Year | |
| Jessica Mantle | Overall Learner of the Year |
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