Colin Jackson to host major industry night as entries open for 2026 event

THE CELEBRATION of Pembrokeshire’s tourism and hospitality sector is officially underway as the Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards return for 2026 after a two-year break.

The prestigious awards, designed to recognise businesses that go above and beyond to deliver exceptional visitor experiences, are back with what organisers describe as “fresh energy and renewed ambition”.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Welsh sporting legend Colin Jackson CBE, the Olympic silver medallist and former world champion hurdler, who will act as compère for the evening.

The awards will take place on Thursday (Oct 29), bringing together leading hotels, attractions, restaurants and tourism operators from across the county for a night of celebration and recognition.

Seventeen categories are open for entry, including Best Hotel, Best Place to Eat, Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award and Rising Star, highlighting both established operators and emerging talent within the industry.

Organisers say the event is not only about rewarding excellence, but also about developing the next generation of hospitality professionals.

At the heart of this year’s ceremony is a partnership between Pembrokeshire College and the Celtic Collection. Students will gain hands-on experience in staging a live, large-scale event, working alongside front-of-house teams and industry specialists to plan and deliver the evening.

The collaboration aims to give young people practical skills while supporting the long-term future of the county’s tourism sector.

Emma Thornton, Chief Executive of Visit Pembrokeshire, said: “We are very excited to be launching our 2026 Croeso Awards building on our 2024 event through working in partnership with Pembrokeshire College and the Celtic Collection.

“We’ve taken the deliberate step to launch three months earlier than in previous years. By doing so we hope this will encourage more entries, making it much easier for businesses and organisations to submit entries well ahead of the busy spring and summer season.

“If you haven’t entered the Croeso Awards before, please make this the year that you do.”

Applications are now open via the Croeso Awards pages on the Visit Pembrokeshire website and close on Monday (March 31). The shortlist will be announced on July 1.

Support sessions to help businesses complete applications will be held every Wednesday throughout February at the Bridge Innovation Centre in Pembroke Dock.

Tickets and a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Photo caption:

Colin Jackson CBE will host the 2026 Croeso Awards when they return this October (Pic supplied).

THE SPOTLIGHT will be on the Senedd election in May and the development ofa new Apprenticeship Programme for Wales, starting in August 2027, when work-based learning practitioners gather for their annual conference in March.

‘Shaping Skills for a New Era’ is the theme of the conference organised by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), which represents work-based learning providers across the country, at Cardiff City Stadium on March 10.

Bookings are now open for the conference which marks a pivotal moment for the future of apprenticeships, with the Senedd election and the next phase of the new apprenticeship programme on the horizon.

“The strength of our sector lies in collaboration,” said Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director. “By bringing providers, employers and stakeholders together, we can design a future-ready apprenticeship programme that responds to industry needs, supports learners from every background, and builds a resilient workforce for a changing world.”

There will be speakers from Medr, the tertiary education regulator in Wales, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Cavendish Cymru, Agored Cymru – conference headline sponsor, and City & Guilds.

Cavendish Cymru will preview how the Senedd will change following the May 7 election, review recent polling and speculate about the likely composition of the new Welsh Government.

“Agored Cymru is delighted to continue its headline sponsorship of the NTFW Conference,” said Darren Howells, Agored Cymru chief executive. “By creating world class bilingual vocational qualifications and apprenticeship frameworks, it is our aim to drive economic growth and ensure the future skills needs in Wales are met through engagement, foresight and innovation.

“We are proud to work with such committed and passionate providers to ensure individuals, whatever their background or circumstances, have the knowledge and skills to achieve their career aspirations and to contribute to a prosperous and thriving economy.”

Delegates will also be able to participate in a series of eight workshops, including the future Apprenticeship Programme for Wales, which will be run by Medr. They will hear about key projects that are shaping the programme to be more responsive when addressing skills priorities for a changing economy.

In their workshop, Qualifications Wales will explore how to build meaningful, sustained relationships with employers, so that post-16 vocational regulated qualifications are matched to the evolving skills needed.

Resilient Futures Coach will lead an interactive workshop, giving practitioners a set of resilience-boosting tools they can use for themselves and with their learners, while Careers Wales will explore how impartial careers guidance empowers young people to make informed decisions about their future.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes skills across Wales, apprenticeships are on the frontline. Jisc’s workshop theme is ‘AI and skills for the future Welsh workforce’.

The Education Workforce Council will explore the role of professional registration and regulation in work-based learning, Estyn will explore literacy and numeracy skills support for apprentices and Regional Skills Partnership chairs will share the latest regional intelligence, emerging skills priorities and future plans.

Lorry seen on wrong side of road before multi-force stop

A DISQUALIFIED driver has been charged after an HGV was reportedly driven erratically along the A40 between Narberth and St Clears in the early hours of Thursday (Jan 29).

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that 22-year-old Tajinder Singh, of Tudor Road, Southall, has been charged with driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Jan 30).

The incident began when an off-duty police officer reported seeing the heavy goods vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the carriageway on multiple occasions, raising serious concerns for the safety of other road users.

Roads Policing Unit officers carried out immediate checks and traced the vehicle travelling eastbound along the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands.

Specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) tactics were authorised, with support requested from South Wales Police and the National Police Air Service due to the scale of the risk and the vehicle’s route.

The lorry was kept under constant observation as it continued along the A48 and onto the M4 before eventually stopping at an industrial estate in the Fforestfach area of Swansea.

Officers detained the driver at the scene. The vehicle was seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said officers will continue to take action against dangerous driving.

Anyone with concerns about unsafe or reckless driving is urged to report it to police.