Atlas Copco Wins Prestigious Careers Wales Award for Supporting Young Talent in Deeside

Atlas Copco Recognized for Excellence in Careers Education

A Deeside-based employer has been honored at a national awards ceremony celebrating organizations that support young people with careers education. Atlas Copco, located at Deeside Industrial Estate, was named Best Newcomer at the Careers Wales Valued Partner Awards 2026. The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on January 28, 2026.

Celebrating Employers That Go Above and Beyond

Careers Wales announced eight winners from across Wales, recognizing employers that work with schools to provide careers guidance, workplace experiences, and engagement activities designed to help pupils understand future job opportunities. The annual awards highlight organizations that have gone beyond statutory requirements to support careers education, including through workshops, mentoring, workplace visits, and employer-led projects.

Alongside Atlas Copco, two other north Wales organizations were recognized. Hafren Dyfrdwy received the Outstanding Achievement Award, while Morlais was named Best Supporter of the Net Zero Agenda.

A Surprise and an Honor

Speaking at the event, Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said he was pleased to see Atlas Copco recognized as Best Newcomer, describing the company as an employer that values developing young talent and providing real-world experiences.

Giorgia Paoloni, HR business partner at Atlas Copco, said the award came as a surprise and reflected the effort the company has put into engaging with young people and promoting engineering career opportunities.

The Importance of Employer Engagement

Representatives from Hafren Dyfrdwy and Morlais also spoke at the ceremony about the importance of working with schools and supporting learners to understand future career options, particularly in relation to local communities and emerging industries.

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales, said: “We are very proud to celebrate this year’s winners, whose support has made a real and lasting difference to young people across Wales. Their willingness to share their time, knowledge and experience plays a vital role in engaging with pupils and helping them to explore career pathways that are available to them and understand the world of work.”

About the Awards

The Careers Wales Valued Partner Awards are held annually and recognize employers from across the public, private, and third sectors. Further information about the awards and employer engagement programs is available via the Careers Wales website.