A training provider from Welshpool has said the coronavirus will completely transform the way it does its business in the future.

Cambrian Training, which has its headquarters on the Offas Dyke Business Park at Buttington Cross, said online platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have shown that it no longer needs to ask people to travel from across Wales to visit its training centres.

Arwyn Watkins OBE, the company's managing director, believes the lockdown has the potential to be transformational for the business, which has offices in Welshpool, Llanelli, Builth Wells, Holyhead and Colwyn Bay.

“The pandemic is making the company re-evaluate the way we do business, engage with learners and colleagues and how we utilise our IT resources to reduce our environmental impact,” he said.

“Going forward, there is no point in asking people to travel from all over Wales to every team meeting when it can be held remotely.

"We are going to learn a lot from the Coronavirus crisis about ourselves and the hidden talents we have within the business.”

One of the company’s apprentices, Graham Jones, 36, from Llandrindod Wells, who is being shielded for 12 weeks because of a respiratory condition, is using the lockdown to push ahead with an apprenticeship in sustainable recycling activities, which he has 84 per cent completed in a matter of nine weeks.

His training officer Jay Syrett-Judd is supporting Graham to use the City & Guilds’ learning assistant e-portfolio system and Google Hangouts communications software to speak face to face.

A driver and loader for Powys County Council’s waste and recycling team based in Rhayader, Graham completed his foundation apprenticeship (Level 2) seven months early, on February 26 and began the apprenticeship on March 3

He is not scheduled to complete the qualification until September next but expects to finish it soon after the lockdown period ends and would like to progress to a higher apprenticeship.

Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “Apprentices and trainees make a significant contribution to the Welsh economy, and they are going to be absolutely vital as we shape the recovery from the crisis.

“It is our aim to not just bounce back from this pandemic, but to build back better by creating a national economy which sees wealth and prosperity spread more equally throughout Wales – apprentices and trainees are key to this.

“Despite this being an immensely challenging period, it has highlighted the talent, commitment and incredible resilience of the training providers supporting individuals here in Wales. Their contribution has not gone unnoticed and their efforts give me confidence for the future.”