Salvation Army homelessness centre is voted the best employer for apprentices

Staff and service users from The Salvation Army’s Ty Gobaith Lifehouse are celebrating winning the Best Medium Employer prize at the Quality Skills Alliance Apprenticeship Awards for the second year running (15 March).  

The Cardiff hostel which provides accommodation, help and support to people experiencing homelessness was deemed to be a winning place for apprentices at the ceremony in Cardiff and Vale College, hosted by BBC Wales presenter, Lucy Owen on Wednesday, 15 March.   

Ty Gobaith has been supporting apprenticeships for 12 years, during which time 23 staff members have successfully gained new skills and enhanced their professional development. Emma Paynter, Ty Gobaith’s service manager said:   

“At Ty Gobaith we’re committed to investing in training and developing our staff to ensure we are providing our residents with access to the best, most qualified, dedicated and experienced support teams possible. Winning this award for a second time is a real recognition of that commitment and achievement and I couldn’t be happier for everyone.”  

Clive Fleming from the company Focus on Training, who organise apprenticeships at Ty Gobaith said:   “We’ve had brilliant success at Ty Gobaith mostly because staff and management are so enthusiastic and dedicated to making apprenticeships work for everyone. It’s been a great pleasure to help employees grow and develop at work which in turn has a positive impact on the lifehouse as a whole. I’m so pleased they have received this award, it’s very well deserved.”  

Ty Gobaith Life House is at the front line of The Salvation Army’s work to help society’s most vulnerable and marginalised people with compassionate support and training through supported accommodation; education and skills programmes, outreach support and  addiction recovery services.   

The lifehouse aims to empower service users to secure independence and is passionate about breaking the cycle of homelessness, whilst constantly seeking innovative and personalised ways to support people in addressing the issue and achieving sustained change.