The College Ystrad Mynach News

Learners rewarded for their achievements

Marketing — Fri, 11 October 2013 13:55:00

Learners from the Ystrad Mynach campus of Coleg y Cymoedd, were recently rewarded for their achievements at an awards presentation evening held in Caerphilly Castle.

The awards event celebrated the last cohort of The College Ystrad Mynach learners. In August 2013, The College Ystrad Mynach merged with Coleg Morgannwg to form Coleg y Cymoedd.

Over 50 learners from the academic year 2012/2013 were honoured for their hard work over the last 12 months.

Learners were presented with awards in a number of different areas including care, sport, hairdressing, construction and A Levels.

The awards were presented by Dr John Graystone, Chief Executive of Colegau Cymru/Colleges Wales, the national organisation representing Further Education Colleges in Wales.

Judith Evans, Principal said “Tonight is one of my favourite events in the academic calendar when we celebrate the achievements of our students and also recognise the support given by family and friends – I wish all the learners presented with awards, success for the future”.

Catering at the ceremony was provided by Catering Learners studying at the Ystrad Mynach campus.

Performing Arts learners studying at the Rhondda Campus provided entertainment during the ceremony with a performance comprising of dance and singing.

The event was closed by Caerphilly Male Voice Choir.

South Wales lecturer leads the way for human rights

Thu, 22 August 2013 10:38:00

A LECTURER in South Wales is training to become the one of the first Amnesty International UK tutors in Wales.

Paul Davies, a lecturer at Coleg y Cymoedd, Ystrad Mynach campus, is training to teach students across South Wales about the importance of human rights.

The 26-year-old, from Pentwynnawr near Newbridge, has been interested by the issues surrounding access to basic human rights since his university studies.

He studied International Politics at Aberystwyth University, before completing a Master’s Degree in International Relations at Cardiff University, where he wrote his thesis on humanitarian intervention.

Paul has been instrumental in organising events at the college to boost students’ knowledge of human rights.

For instance, he oversaw an Asylum Seekers Awareness Day in May, in which he encouraged students to take part in practical role-play activities to increase their knowledge.

The Amnesty Teacher programme enables lecturers to learn about human rights education and how to inspire students to build a more open, engaging and respectful learning environment.

Paul said:

“I’ve been passionate about access to human rights for some time now and am determined to help students understand the importance it plays in society.

“Put simply, it’s about learning how to treat people – as colleagues, as employees or as members of the public.

“It is important that students learn about different cultures and values, and this course will help to achieve that.”

Former Principal of the then College Ystrad Mynach, Bryn Davies, said:

“I’m delighted that Paul has committed his time and effort to pursue this fantastic course.

“Our students will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of Wales’ only Amnesty International UK tutor, and that is certainly something to be proud of.”

The College Ystrad Mynach and Coleg Morgannwg have now merged to become Coleg y Cymoedd, which means college of the valleys.

Paul Davies leading Asylum Seekers Awareness Day

The College Ystrad Mynach Principal steps down

marketing — Mon, 05 August 2013 09:24:00

After 40 years devoted to the education industry, Principal Bryn Davies at The College Ystrad Mynach has retired, while The College merges with Coleg Morgannwg to become Coleg y Cymoedd.

Mr Davies has been at the helm of The College Ystrad Mynach for nearly 16 years, where he has taken charge of over 500 staff and more than 13,000 students, and has stepped down following the college’s merger with Coleg Morgannwg.

Having initially arrived at The College Ystrad Mynach in 1997, Mr Davies has driven a complete revamp of the college, including overseeing a £7 million investment into community learning and the opening of five new campuses – including Blackwood, Tredomen and Bargoed – with student numbers trebling.

Born in London, his first teaching job at Davidson Road School in Croydon in the 1960s, saw him helping pupils with remedial maths and English, and he has dedicated his life to teaching since, with an impressive background of various teaching jobs all over the country.

Having previously taught at Stevenage College in Edinburgh and Brooklands College in Surrey, he joined Basingstoke College in 1979 as a head of section, where he ran classes on writing computer applications, eventually overseeing the first purchase of computers for the college.

He continued to implement his community work in the 1980’s when he took up a post in Chichester College, bringing in £995,000 worth of commercial contracts, resulting in helping hundreds of people into jobs through training, before joining Somerset College of Arts and Technology.

It is this commitment to community and teaching that has made his career so successful.

As four decades of teaching comes to an end, 66 year old Bryn Davies will now look forward to the future, in particular his involvement with the UFI charitable trust board and spending time with family.

The UFI Charitable trust is a charity aimed at providing funding for initiatives to improve the accessibility and delivery of adult learning.

News of Bryn Davies’ retirement comes as an end of an era for both him and the college.

The College Ystrad Mynach is to merge with Coleg Morgannwg at the end of the academic year to create Coleg y Cymoedd, meaning College of the Valleys.

Former Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, Bryn Davies said:

“I will look back at my time at The College Ystrad Mynach with absolute fondness.

“I have had a fantastic 40 year teaching career, in which I’ve met all different kinds of brilliant people, both teachers, students and beyond.

“My contribution towards education will not end here, as I’ll now look to focus on adult access to education in South Wales.

“I hope the new college goes from strength to strength, and I’ll certainly keep track of its success, but most of all I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”

Wales’ newest college officially launched

Thu, 01 August 2013 09:16:00

Wales’ newest college launched with the official merger between Coleg Morgannwg and The College, Ystrad Mynach which took place on 1 August.

Under its new name, Coleg y Cymoedd, meaning College of the Valleys, will become home to more than 25,000 students and 1,000 staff when the new term starts in September. With an annual turnover of more than £42 million, the college will operate across five campuses and attract learners from an area spanning from north Cardiff across Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerphilly.

Principal of Coleg Morgannwg, Judith Evans, will head-up the new organisation. She will be supported by an experienced senior management team including representatives from both colleges.

Ms Evans will be joined by a new Chair of Governors for the college, Liz James. Mrs James, from Ystrad Mynach, has served on the governing body of The College, Ystrad Mynach since 1992 and has been Chair for the last six years.

A HR and local government specialist, Mrs James will provide the college’s management team with strategic leadership and advice alongside the rest of the governance team which is made up of individuals linked to both colleges.

Liz James said: “Coleg y Cymoedd represents the coming together of two extremely successful colleges for the benefit of its learners and the local communities. The merger will enable us to provide even greater choice across a vast range of subject areas for students as well as some world class learning facilities.”

Discussions over the merger began in 2011 following Welsh Government proposals to streamline further education in Wales.

New Principal Judith Evans said: “The 1^st August marks a landmark event for further education in South Wales as we welcome the official beginning of Coleg y Cymoedd.

“The college will benefit from excellent teaching expertise as well as a diverse range of learning programmes from A-Levels to vocational courses, apprenticeship programmes and part-time study to provide our learners with the richest experience possible. We are very much looking forward to starting the new term with the new name and to working together with colleagues and students, old and new.”

All educational provision across the new college’s five campuses will remain available from September 2013, providing one of the widest ranges of subject choices in Wales for learners.

Further information about the merger can be found at www.cymoedd.ac.uk

Award paints Hengoed student’s path to success

marketing — Tue, 23 July 2013 09:33:00

Laurell posing with former rugby star Jonathan Davies

A HENGOED student has been awarded a prestigious learning prize as a result of her outstanding level of work at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Laurell Pearce has won the Overall Learner of the Year prize, as part of the Active Pathways scheme, created to incentivise young people to achieve in college.

28 Active Pathways students from around South Wales were nominated for this prized title, which was presented by former rugby star Jonathan Davies, Skills Ambassador for Associated Community Training (ACT).

Laurell, who also won Year 10 Learner of the Year, was recognised for excellent attendance and strong enthusiasm for the painting and decorating qualification she is working towards.

The 15 year old has just completed Level One of the BTEC Painting and Decorating course and will be a qualified tradesperson when she finishes level two in 2014.

Laurell, from Hengoed, started at the College in October 2012, after deciding to pursue a career in painting and decorating. In addition to the course, she is also studying for GCSEs in Maths and English to further her prospects.

Out of 80 students on Active Pathways placements, five additional College Ystrad Mynach students from Year 10 and 11 won awards across various categories, including Most Improved Learner, Best Attendance and Learner of the Year.

Laurell said:

“I’m so pleased to win the Active Pathways Overall Learner of the Year award as I have really enjoyed my course so far, particularly the practical side where I have been painting and stencilling. I knew I wanted to attend The College Ystrad Mynach as the painting and decorating course looked great and I heard great things about the college.

“Since I started, my tutors and Active Pathways coaches have been really supportive and I’m looking forward to going on placement next year, where I will be able to do even more practical activities.

“I’m hoping to start an apprenticeship when I finish the course, which will really help me launch my career in painting and decorating.”

Louise Gill, Laurell’s Active Pathways Learning Coach, added:

“Laurell is doing really well at college and her attendance has doubled since her time at school, which shows the course has had a really positive impact on her life.

“Her confidence has grown and she has made some great friends. In terms of the course, she has been absolutely brilliant and has shown a real talent. She thoroughly deserves the award and I’m sure she will do really well in her future career.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“The Active Pathways awards ceremony is a great way to celebrate young people’s achievements from the past year. I am thrilled that several of our students won awards at the event, as it marks their determination to succeed.

“Since starting at the college in October, Laurell has really flourished and is a brilliant student. She has completed several key skills, including communications, application of number and ICT. Furthermore, she is a talented painter and decorator and I have no doubt she has an excellent future ahead of her.”

Carpentry students carve a solid future following 100% success

marketing — Wed, 31 July 2013 10:30:00

Back Left to Right: Robert Ford, Josh Seabourne, Ryan Cairns, Owen Ford, Ieuan Jones. Front Left to Right: Students Dean Greg, Margan Plantt, James Mills and tutor, Mansel Powell.

A CLASS of carpentry and joinery students at The College Ystrad Mynach have achieved a 100% pass grade in their diplomas.

The diploma group are now all fully qualified to enter the industry as professional tradesmen.

The three year course, which qualifies participants at level three, is designed to build theoretical knowledge in the classroom and aid practical skills in the workplace.

Starting from one day a week at level one, work placements increase to four days a week by the third year.

Robert Ford, from Mountain Ash, said the course has helped him to develop the skills he needed to open a carpentry business.

The 22 year old said:

“Woodwork was my favourite subject at school and following some research, I thought The College Ystrad Mynach diploma was the best course for me. Our tutors were incredibly supportive and the results are a credit to them, as they helped us achieve our grades and really get the most out of work experience placements.

“The diploma has allowed me to work four days a week as a joiner in Cilfynydd, Pontypridd which has given me valuable experience.

“Now I am qualified, I would like to start my own carpentry business. The knowledge and skills I have learnt on the course will help me achieve this and I am really looking forward to the future”

Level three Course Tutor at The College Ystrad Mynach, Mansel Powell, said:

“I’m so proud of the students’ achievements, as it’s a tough course and long-term commitment.

“Our students have learnt a lot from the classroom and applied that knowledge to practical situations in the workplace.

“We’ve had some fantastic feedback from the businesses we’ve partnered with, which is a testament to our students’ positive attitude and skills.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“I’m delighted that our carpentry and joinery students have achieved such splendid results.

“We are committed to forming strong links with local businesses and this demonstrates exactly how well it can work.

“We always look to help our students find employment after their time with us and providing practical experience in the workplace certainly benefits their future prospects.”

ESOL Learner of the Year secures Masters in ICT

marketing — Thu, 18 July 2013 09:43:00

A non-native English speaker, who studied English as a foreign language At The College Ystrad Mynach, has gone on to achieve a Master’s Degree in Computing.

37-year-old Nonglak Donovan was born in Chiangrai, Thailand and moved to Wales to start a family with her Welsh husband.

She began studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at The College in 2006, while also working towards a level one qualification in IT support.

During her time at the college, Nonglak won the ESOL Learner of the Year Award and improved her language and IT skills significantly.

Nonglak went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Computing at the University of South Wales, and is now working towards a qualification in software development.

Nonglak said:

“Studying at the college has given me the confidence to continue my journey in higher education. I am currently preparing for a computer software exam, and hopefully, I’ll be qualified to teach computing soon.

“If everything goes according to plan, I hope to study for a PhD in the future.”

Her former tutor at The College Ystrad Mynach, Gillian Orr, is clearly delighted with her progress.

She said:

“I’m so proud of Nonglak’s achievements, as she was always so committed in class.

“The support she provided her colleagues was brilliant and she still volunteers at the college to help out current students with their studies.”

Bryn Davies, principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“I’m delighted with Nonglak’s achievements during and after her years with the college.

“Her commitment and dedication to achieving success is inspiring to others, and shows that with the right attitude and willingness to learn, anything is possible.”

Hairdressing students volunteer at Hospital

Marketing — Mon, 01 July 2013 14:30:00

CAERPHILLY students have volunteered to provide free hairdressing to patients at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr hospital.

The Hair and Beauty students, from The College Ystrad Mynach, have given up their time to put their newly learnt skills into practice, while helping those in need.

Providing the free service has also helped students to develop their practical experience in a working environment, and improve their communication skills, when working with customers.

The service has been well received by patients, and Jodie Hill, a 25-year-old student volunteering at the hospital, is undoubtedly proud of her achievement: “It is so uplifting to know that we make the difference to so many people’s lives. Patients are noticeably cheered up when we visit, and it is clear that they value our service.

“We provide companionship, as well as hairdressing, and it is fantastic to see so many smiles across the wards when we visit”

Martine Lewis, level three hairdressing course lecturer at The College Ystrad Mynach, said: “This scheme allows students to boost their practical skills and expertise, while providing a service to patients, who cannot access such amenities.

“I’m incredibly proud of every student that takes part, as they are giving something back to the community and help a great amount of people in need along the way.”

Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, Bryn Davies, said: “I’m delighted that our students have committed their time to help improve the lives of the patients at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr hospital.

“This generous act will not only help patients but will also help to build the students’ own credentials and give them valuable practical experience to help them in their future careers.”

The College Rhymney student named Learner of the year at UHOVI Awards

marketing — Mon, 24 June 2013 14:17:00

UHOVI award winner Thomas Rudge with Real Radio's Jagger and Woody

Thomas Rudge, a student from the Rhymney campus, has been crowned The College Ystrad Mynach UHOVI Learner of the Year 2013.

Thomas was awarded the accolade at the UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) celebratory evening which took place at the General Offices in Ebbw Vale. The hosts of the event were Real Radio’s Jagger and Woody plus special guests included weather presenter Behnaz Akhgar, Richard Parfitt, lead singer of 60 Foot Dolls, and Huw Williams of Pooh Sticks and a key figure in the Welsh music industry.

Thomas was one of eight worthy award winners recognised for their outstanding commitment and achievements. He has been studying the Foundation Degree in Digital Photography at The College Rhymney for the past academic year. Thomas started the course as a shy and quiet learner but his tutor says he has become more confident, researches extensively and is continually gaining knowledge. He consistently meets deadlines and delivers strong bodies of work, successfully combining the course with significant responsibilities at home.

Part of the University of South Wales, UHOVI provides opportunities to study higher education courses at venues across the Valleys region. Working in partnership with further education colleges, businesses, local authorities and work based learning providers, UHOVI is inspiring people to continue or return to education in order to improve their skills or gain a qualification.

University of South Wales Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of UHOVI Graham Rogers said: “UHOVI has gone from strength to strength, providing a first class learning experience for students and working with communities to raise aspirations.

“The award winning students are truly inspirational and it is a privilege to be able to share their stories which demonstrate how learning can make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and their families.”

Alun Davies, AM Blaenau Gwent said: “Higher education should not be something that can only be accessed in our cities; it is something that should be accessible to everyone who wants to learn, irrespective of age and location.

“This is why UHOVI has been such a success. By tapping into a wealth of students in the Valleys area who have shown a commitment to learn and better themselves, UHOVI has helped to unleash a new generation of qualified professionals into the workplace.

“Its students are a shining example of its success and it is an organisation I am proud to support.”

A videos of award winner Thomas Rudge and tutor Peter Britton who nominated him are available online at http://www.youtube.com/user/UhoviVideos

UHOVI award winner Thomas Rudge with BBC weathergirl Behnaz Akhgar

A College Ystrad Mynach apprentice cements first place at Welsh bricklaying competition

marketing — Tue, 04 June 2013 14:10:00

A BEDWAS construction apprentice at The College Ystrad Mynach has won a Welsh bricklaying competition, beating off opposition from finalists across the country.

Dean Jones, an apprentice bricklayer, won the regional final of the Guild of Bricklayers' Junior Annual Contest, held at The College Ystrad Mynach.

He has now qualified for the national final, competing against nine other regional winners across the UK.

Participants were given six hours to showcase their brickwork skills – by interpreting building plans and constructing a wall - before industry professionals judged their work.

The 19 year old has been plying his skills as a bricklayer since his school years, after attending the college for one day a week as part of the School Links course.

Dean then joined The College Ystrad Mynach full-time to study for a qualification in bricklaying, before starting his apprenticeship.

He was carefully selected to take part in the competition, as a result of his exemplary attitude and commitment to the trade during his lessons.

Competition winner, Dean, said:

“It was a great feeling winning the competition.

“We had a very short period of time to interpret the brief and build an attractive piece of brickwork to be presented to the judges, and I’m proud to say I won.”

Martin Watkins, head of the School of Construction at The College Ystrad Mynach, added:

“We’re delighted that Dean has won this competition and moved on to the national finals.

“Dean’s commitment to the trade is second-to-none and he’s passionate about working to the highest standard – that’s why we put him forward.”

Bryn Davies, principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re thrilled that Dean has achieved such a brilliant result at the Guild of Bricklayers' Junior Annual Contest.

“His work is of the highest quality and we wish him the best of luck in the national competition.

“Our tutors strive to ensure that students have the best support and mentoring, and this result underlines that level of commitment put in.”

A College Ystrad Mynach student finishes third in UK-wide table tennis tournament

Marketing — Mon, 03 June 2013 10:13:00

A BARGOED student has finished third in a national British college table tennis tournament.

Alexandra Evans, who studies Public Services at The College Ystrad Mynach, was awarded a bronze medal, at the British Colleges Sports Championships.

Alex has been playing table tennis since she was nine years old, and qualified for the national finals after winning the Welsh Girls’ Championships last October.

The national championships were contested between regions across the UK, and more than 2,000 students and staff from colleges across England, Scotland and Wales competed in 14 different sports.

College athletes taking part were aged 16 to 19 years and each had qualified to represent one of the championship's eleven regional teams.

Bronze medalist, Alexandra, said:

“I was really happy to take home a bronze medal, as the competition was really tough and involved some of the best players in the UK.

“I’ve been out of the game for four years but to come back and finish in the national top three is amazing.

“My next challenge is to come back and win it next year.”

Gemma Hallett, Sport Coordinator at The College Ystrad Mynach, who also captain’s the Welsh Women’s Rugby Team, was clearly delighted with the result:

“I’m very proud of Alexandra as she’s such a committed student.

“The College has never competed at table tennis before so to take a student to the national championships and come away with a medal is a brilliant achievement for us.”

Bryn Davies, principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, commented:

“I am very proud that one of our students has achieved such a splendid result in a national tournament.

“Our students are driven, intelligent and talented individuals and our staff are always committed to supporting them both inside and outside of the classroom, and Alexandra’s sporting success is certainly an example of this.”

The College Ystrad Mynach senior staff scoop prestigious learning awards

Marketing — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:27:00

Left: Principal Bryn Davies. Right: Community Learning Officer Rhos Griffiths

SENIOR staff at The College Ystrad Mynach have won prestigious learning awards.

Principal Bryn Davies celebrated the Services to Lifelong Learning Award at the NIACE Inspire Awards 2013, while Rhos Griffiths, Community Learning Officer at the College, won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr Davies took over as principal of The College in 1997, following the departure of Don Brooks, as part of a career in education that has spanned over 40 years.

During his tenure he has overseen over £7 million invested into community learning, the opening of five new campuses - including Blackwood, Tredomen and Bargoed - and student numbers that have trebled, reaching 13,000 this year.

Mr Davies said:

“Working in education has certainly taught me one thing, you need people around you with a common dream and goal.

“Particularly those that remove the barriers, and inspire you to achieve, and it has been a great privilege to be able to share this with our community learners and to make a real difference.”

Rhos Griffiths, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award, was instrumental in starting the Caerphilly Learning Festival Group and has acted as both Chair and Treasurer over the last six years.

His enthusiasm and passion for adult education has brought together a robust group of educational providers who meet regularly throughout the year.

Mr Griffiths said:

“My career in education has spanned over 40 years starting as an adult education tutor and rising to the Wales Director of a national organisation in the form of NIACE Dysgu Cymru.

“I have decided to retire in July from my role as Community Learning Officer with The College Ystrad Mynach and I am busy taking the lead in succession planning to find adult educators to take forward the work of the Caerphilly Learning Festival Group.”

The College Ystrad Mynach students runners up in ‘Apprentice-style’ business pitch competition

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:04:00

(Left to right) Lewis Clarke, Adam Gapper, Josh Yendle, Andrew Connors and Jonathan James of The College Ystrad Mynach

STUDENTS from The College Ystrad Mynach have finished runners up in a prestigious competition, in which they created a marketing campaign for a live business.

The Big Pitch, supported by The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer, allowed students to create a marketing campaign, for the South Wales Outdoor Activity Provider Group (SWOAPG), the representative organisation for all providers of outdoor activities in the Brecon Beacons National Park and south Wales area.

Their campaign objective, fixed to a budget of £30,000, was to increase awareness of outdoor activities to locals, visitors and tourists in south Wales.

The College Ystrad Mynach students’ campaign was focused on the creation of a new sports festival to promote a range of activities.

The students then contacted a range of companies and public bodies to ask if they would like to take part in the festival and received many positive answers, including the offer of free land to host the festival.

Having produced their marketing campaign - in the final round of the competition - the students had 10 minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, including Lowri Morgan, from BBC Sport and Jonathan Hill, head of ITV Wales.

Jonathan James, a 20 year old electronics student from Bedwas, who formed part of the team, said:

“It was brilliant to take part in the Big Pitch and, as an electronics student, the competition has opened by eyes to a completely different career.

“I finish the course later this year and I’m sure that marketing could be a new avenue for me, as I really enjoyed this challenge.”

Lesley Cottrell, Entrepreneurship Champion at The College was delighted with the result. She said:

“The students’ attitude throughout the competition was fantastic. They showed determination and resilience, and performed very well.

“For such a young group of students, with no prior experience in the field, to produce such an innovative and interesting marketing campaign is remarkable.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, added:

“I’m delighted that the students finished in the top two of this exciting and challenging competition.

“We’re always looking to develop our students’ CVs and prepare them for the world of work beyond their college years and this competition is exactly the kind of challenge our students relish.”

Coleg y Cymoedd Principal Announcement

Marketing — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:13:00

Judith Evans has been named as the Principal and Chief Executive of Coleg y Cymoedd. The College (which means College of the Valleys) will come into being on 1^st August 2013, when The College, Ystrad Mynach and Coleg Morgannwg merge.

Mrs. Evans, an education specialist for more than 30 years, and who has been leading Coleg Morgannwg since 2008, said: “This is an exciting time for the colleges, and we are looking forward to working effectively together for the benefit of learners in the areas of Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

“In a true merger of equals, we will work together to ensure that we implement the best practice to be found in both colleges. We will be much stronger financially which will enable us to shape and influence the future of education in key areas of Wales. Our job now is to ensure that we meet the needs of the learners, business and the communities we serve.”

Bryn Davies who has led The College, Ystrad Mynach for 11 years, said: “I am enormously proud of my staff, and a merger of equals with Coleg Morgannwg will ensure that they continue to deliver a professional and focused service to the learners. I am leaving the college in safe hands and I wish Judith and the management team every success in the future.”

After a consultation involving students, staff and governors, the new branding and logo, for Coleg y Cymoedd was announced today.

The logo was supported by 60% of the 1000+ respondents and based on the design concept of five ‘spires,’ representing the five campuses working alongside each other, that curve into a ‘C’ shape, representing ‘Coleg’ and ‘Cymoedd’.

The logo embodies forward movement with positive and dynamic energy; a symbol of advancement and progression both personal and educational, as individuals and as a group. It was designed by South Wales firm Savage and Gray Design.

The merged College will have more than 20,000 learners, 1,000 staff and a turnover of £42 million.

College students debate for global food justice

Marketing — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:55:00

(Left to Right) Melissa Lewis, Ryan Messer and Connor Campbell of The College Ystrad Mynach

TWO teams from The College Ystrad Mynach have participated in a Model United Nations conference, debating global food justice.

The conference, held at Barry’s Civic Offices, brought together young people from across South Wales and encouraged them to learn about the role of the United Nations.

The college students, representing South Korea and Canada as delegates of the UN, devised statements of position and ideas for international agreements to discuss with other participants.

The debates considered maximum food prices of basic commodities and limits on food waste.

Initiated by the Council for Education in World Citizenship, the annual mock conference encourages students to play the role of UN members and agree on international resolutions.

Paul Davies, Public Services Lecturer at The College Ystrad Mynach, said that the day was a real eye-opener for participating students.

“The event provided our students with an excellent opportunity to see how international institutions operate and the difficulties that they encounter in making decisions.

“More importantly, the event enabled the students to see how decisions made by such institutions impact them and the UK as a whole.

“The students worked incredibly hard preparing for this event and participated fully in all aspects of the day, they are an absolute credit to The College.”

Student Melissa Lewis, who was on the team representing Canada, added:

“The debate taught me a huge amount about the many different countries that comprise the United Nations and I feel I have learnt so much about global issues.”

Josh Dance, who was part of the South Korean mock team, commented:

“I enjoyed negotiating and resolving issues with other countries. For example, we had a lengthy discussion with North Korea and solved many internationally relevant problems.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach said:

“I am delighted that our students took part in such an interesting event.

“It is important to The College that our students can try new experiences that contribute towards their learning.

“We always look to provide students with opportunities that will benefit them in the future and this debate certainly fits into that category.”

Important notice for current students regarding Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Immunisation

Thu, 25 April 2013 11:34:00

For all current students aged 16-25

Dear Student,

You will be aware of the outbreak of measles in the Swansea area. College students in Gwent are potentially susceptible to this highly infectious, serious disease. This is due to the poor uptake of the MMR vaccination in the past and the level of protection from measles is lower in older teenagers than in those of younger children.

A temporary MMR immunisation programme is therefore being arranged in colleges over the next few weeks for students who have not previously received a first or second dose. If you have NOT received two MMR vaccinations, then please attend the vaccination session at your college.

The College Ystrad Mynach– Friday 10th May 11-00am to 3-00pm

Please would you complete the consent form and bring it with you on the day. [Available here]

Further information is available via the following link:

www.publichealthwales.org/measles

If you have attended your GP or an emergency clinic for this immunisation you do not need to be included in the college programme

Yours faithfully

Dr Tom Williams

Consultant Paediatrician Lead for Immunisation

Dr Lika Nehaul

Consultant in Communicable Disease Control

NPHS Wales

Dr Gill Richardson

Executive Director of Public Health

ABHB

Letter and Consent Form from NHS Public Health Wales

The College Ystrad Mynach student win is a piece of cake

marketing — Fri, 19 April 2013 11:57:00

A MERTHYR Tydfil student has baked her way to victory, after winning Gold in a catering competition against professional chefs from across Wales and England.

Eloise Powell, who is studying Level One Professional Cookery at The College Ystrad Mynach, took part in a master-chef style competition by baking 16 cupcakes in limited time at The Welsh International Culinary Championships.

The 22 year old had just 30 minutes to create four different cupcake designs, assessed by judges from the Welsh Culinary Association - a body recognised for promoting excellence in cookery within Wales.

The panel presented Eloise with the Gold Award after recognising excellence in her originality, style of presentation and assembly of products and flavours.

Hosted by Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, the championships are designed to showcase Welsh culinary talent and celebrate skills in developing quality food.

The College Ystrad Mynach has participated in competitions at the Rhos on Sea based institution for nearly a decade, giving students an opportunity to experience challenges in the work place.

Furthermore, Eloise is the second student from The College Ystrad Mynach to receive the ‘best in class award’ at the championships.

An aspiring pâtisserie chef, she commented that her success is due to a mixture of passion, determination and support:

“I am thrilled to win both the gold and best in class awards. I have been baking from the age of six, but recovering from a spine operation three years ago gave me the determination to cook professionally.

“I would not have been able to enter this competition without the support of The College Ystrad Mynach and have applied for my second year at The College.

“Once I gain my qualifications, I plan to move to New Zealand, as I’ve already been offered a job by one of the judges.”

Liz Jones, Head of Service Industries, Hospitality and Catering at The College Ystrad Mynach, said Miss Powell’s aptitude for cookery was recognised at an early stage:

“I am delighted that Eloise has been offered such a fantastic and nationally recognised award. Creating high quality cupcakes in half an hour is very challenging and Eloise’s sheer creativity and passion for baking carried her through the competition.

“As a college, we try to drive students to participate in as many competitions as possible in order to give them a chance to showcase their hard work and abilities.

“We recognised Eloise’s gift for baking very early on and both awards are a testament to her incredible talent.”

Bryn Davies, principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, commented:

“I am very proud that one of our students has achieved such a splendid result.

“Our students are driven, intelligent and talented individuals and Eloise’s accomplishment signifies the professional standard of our students.

“Our staff work incredibly hard to ensure great prospects for each individual and we are thrilled to be partly responsible for Eloise’s bright future.”

College students first in Wales to complete new apprentice scheme

marketing — Thu, 04 April 2013 15:25:00

STUDENTS at The College Ystrad Mynach have become the first in Wales to complete an innovative apprenticeship scheme.

The pilot scheme, completed by students shortly before this week’s National Apprentice Week, was awarded by the Welsh Assembly under its Sector Priority Fund Pilot Programme, and has been specifically designed to support employees in the property sector.

Those taking part in the project have benefited from an increased specialist knowledge in fields such as quantity surveying, building surveying and maintenance, and general practice surveying and valuation, and have received a formal qualification demonstrating their expertise.

Employers carefully selected the apprentices, after they showed the potential to develop and progress further within their organisations.

Employees studying for the apprenticeship course in Surveying, Property and Maintenance (SP&M) spent 18 – 24 months on the course, which consisted of both college attendance to build theory knowledge and then practical assessments within the workplace.

Many participants were also able to evaluate their organisations own quality procedures and make suggestions to their line managers regarding improvements.

An employee benefiting from the course, John Corbett, Assett Surveyer at Valleys to Coast Housing, said:

“Completing this apprenticeship has helped me take a large step in my development in the workplace.

“It has helped me develop towards a managerial role, in which I am producing reports and chairing meetings, something I didn’t feel I was capable of before.

“It has also helped with my confidence, when undertaking these types of more professional tasks.”

Steve Ward, Course Tutor at The College Ystrad Mynach, added:

“The apprenticeship provides employees with more opportunities for promotion and helps them from a traditional trade background into more managerial and supervisory roles.

“When people think of apprenticeships, they tend to focus on school-leavers, but this course focuses on those already in the workplace and develops their existing skills even further.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re delighted to award the first surveying apprentice qualifications in Wales.

“The course has received fantastic feedback from students and employers alike and we’re always looking to boost the skills of employees in the workplace.

“We pride ourselves in providing the best possible training for those already in work and looking to develop their skills further.”

The College Ystrad Mynach students cut and finish in top three of competition

marketing — Thu, 28 March 2013 12:55:00

STUDENTS from The College Ystrad Mynach have bagged the top three places in a prestigious South Wales hairdressing competition.

Lisa Williams, Kristian Reed and Curtis James finished in first, second and third place respectively in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Men’s commercial cut & finish competition.

Students across South Wales competed in the competition, aimed at trainee hairdressers and therapists, and the top three in each category have won a place at the national finals later this year.

The ceremony took place at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Lisa Williams, winner of the competition, and studying for a Level Two BTEC in Hairdressing, said:

“I was absolutely thrilled to win the competition and never expected my name to be read out.

“I cannot wait to compete in the national finals and I think in order to win, I need to step it up a gear to compete at the next level, and I’ve certainly got a few ideas in mind as to how I can do that, such as experimenting with different types of colours and styles.”

Competition Director, David Bassett, added:

“The students gain so much valuable experience from entering a competition like this, as it gives them the chance to compete with their peers across the country.

“I’ve judged many hairdressing competitions in the past and the standard this year has been far higher than I’ve seen before, so I think we’ve got a great chance of picking up some silverware at the finals.”

Commenting on the success of his students, Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re delighted that our students have reached the top three of a competition running across Wales.

“This result demonstrates the talent that our college is consistently producing and also the high-quality of teaching offered from tutors across the college.”

The College Ystrad Mynach launches mobile version of website

marketing — Tue, 26 March 2013 15:34:00

The College Ystrad Mynach has become the first college in Wales to launch a dedicated website optimised for smart phones and tablet devices.

The new mobile site has been designed to capitalise on the increased usage of smart phones and tablets amongst young people.

As users expect quick and easy navigation to relevant information, the new mobile site displays a specially tailored version of the college’s full site.

The college had observed an increased usage of its website from mobile devices, eventually accounting for a quarter of overall visits to the page and recognised the requirement for an update.

In light of the ever increasing statistics concerning smartphone and tablet usage, the optimisation of the website is a significant step forward for the college.

The development allows students to visit the college’s site on the go, and to more easily access important information relating to their courses, wherever they are.

Matt Jarvis, Marketing and Web Officer for The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“This development really will be beneficial to The College. Mobile web access at the touch of a button has seen significant growth recently, mainly due to the enormous rise in smartphone and tablet usage.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“Over the next five years, the amount of people using smartphones to access the internet will overtake those using their desktop, and we as an institution are ready for this development.

“We are constantly evaluating our digital services and seeking the more effective ways to communicate with our students and the public.

“It is imperative that, no matter where they are or when they need access, our students can connect with the college with ease and our new mobile-optimised site will certainly go far to achieve this.”

Eleven-time GB Paralympic gold winner runs college training session

Marketing — Wed, 27 February 2013 08:54:00

Eleven-time British Paralympic gold medal winner David Roberts CBE recently visited Ystrad Mynach College to deliver a motivational training session for students.

David, from Beddau in Rhondda Cynon Taff – who won gold medals at the Sydney, Beijing and Athens Paralympic Games – delivered an hour-long presentation to over 250 students, followed by practical sessions to individual students.

The Paralympic athlete – currently in training for 2016 Paralympic Games – mentored students on his principles for success in life.

Students studying for BTECs in Travel and Tourism, Sport and Public Services benefited from the session, focussed on improving their all-round approach to life during and after college.

As well as a hectic training schedule, David is also a director at Concept Sports Management – a Cardiff-based sports agency, set up to help athletes maximise their earning potential throughout their career.

He believes the values instilled in him from a young age – such as determination, motivation and preparation – are still essential in today’s world.

David said: “By living my life according to the principles of hard work, determination and over preparation, I have achieved a level of success I couldn’t have dreamt about as a child – but it doesn’t come easily.

“Before every race, I pre-pack my bag well in advance and ensure that I get to the venue long before I need to be there – and this level of preparation shouldn’t just apply to athletes.

“Students can apply these principles all over their academic careers, and in their later lives to achieve their dreams and ambitions, as the sky really is the limit – it just requires that extra effort, commitment and dedication.”

Taking part in the training session, student Stephanie Colwill, added: “Working with David has opened my eyes to the level of commitment and motivation required to succeed at the top level.

“I’m studying for a Level Three BTEC in Sport and I’m determined to get into netball club management – so this talk has certainly helped to prepare me for the future.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome such a successful and dedicated athlete to the college to mentor our students.

“David is an inspiration to us all and I hope our students have benefited from a unique experience that I’m sure will inspire them for the rest of their lives.”

Steve Griffin, owner of Concept Sports Management, said: “David’s enthusiasm can rub off on anybody and he is always looking to give something back to the community that has helped him develop into the person he is today.

“David’s commitment to training – and life in general – is a lesson to us all and everybody can learn from him, no matter how successful they have become.”

Name announced for new college

Marketing — Thu, 21 February 2013 08:39:00

South Wales’ newest further education college has been named after consultation with stakeholders.

Coleg Morgannwg and The College Ystrad Mynach will merge to form Coleg Y Cymoedd, meaning College of the Valleys, by August 2013.

The governing bodies from both organisations have been in talks since summer 2011 to bring together the two institutions to form one of the largest colleges in Wales, serving more than 25,000 learners.

The new name has been approved by the governing bodies of both institutions and the Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews.

In a joint statement, the Principal of Coleg Morgannwg, Judith Evans and Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, Bryn Davies, said: “The name of the new college truly reflects the wide area it will serve as well as the long-standing heritage both institutions have across the south Wales Valleys in what is a merger of colleges of equal size, strength and quality”.

“Now that a name has been selected, staff, governors and stakeholders from both colleges will be working together to ensure we offer a truly exceptional educational experience for all students when the doors of Coleg Y Cymoedd open in September.”

All educational provision across the new college’s five campuses will remain available from September 2013, providing one of the widest ranges of subject choices in Wales for learners.

A communication plan is in place to keep Staff, unions and students informed about developments.

The College launches commercial training scheme for Welsh businesses

Marketing — Mon, 18 February 2013 09:05:00

The College Ystrad Mynach has launched a commercial training scheme to boost the skills of employees across the south Wales valleys.

The scheme allows businesses to invest in their staff by providing the opportunity to enrol on to courses that will enhance their skills and expertise in the workplace.

It has already attracted interest from large companies in South Wales, including Daniel Contractors, a construction firm ranked high on the list of the top 100 construction companies in the UK, and Disability Wales, a not-for-profit campaigning organisation championing the rights of disabled people.

The training has been very well received by employers, who have consistently provided positive evaluations.

Available courses include management and customer service, health and safety, IT, care, electrical and/or gas, literacy and numeracy and various NVQs.

Dianne Turner, Commercial Manager for The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We are delighted to launch a scheme aimed at developing businesses across Wales. We’ve had fantastic feedback from all clients involved in the training and we put that down to the professionalism of our staff, their specialist knowledge and the support they provide to clients.”

Rhyan Berrigan, Policy Officer for Access and Transport at Disability Wales, currently studying for an NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Management, said:

“I enrolled on the course to improve my promotion prospects. Studying for the NVQ was fun and I have learned a lot of useful skills, which was very valuable in my role.

“I am managing a project team and the course have given me the chance to reflect on my current performance and provided me with the opportunity to improve my management skills and self-confidence.”

Pam Chase, also studying for an NVQ with The College Ystrad Mynach, from Daniel Contractors, said:

“I’m studying for an NVQ Level Three in Business Administration, and I can already feel the benefits in my work.

“I’m looking to build my CV and this course – along with the other courses I have undertaken – has provided me with the skills to improve in my role.

“I’m consistently working with customers, as the face of the company, and the course has helped me to improve my approach to answering their enquires.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“I’m delighted to announce our new commercial training scheme, underlining our commitment to improving businesses in Wales.

“We pride ourselves in preparing students for the workplace when they leave college, but also providing the best possible training for those already in work and looking to develop their skills further.”

Only Boys Aloud star beats the bullies to sing for Britain’s Got Talent

Marketing — Thu, 31 January 2013 14:09:00

A Rhymney Valley student has told how he beat the bullies to reach the final of Britain’s Got Talent, as a part of Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud.

Ricki Pullen, a student of The College Ystrad Mynach from Fochriw, was targeted at school for as he didn’t enjoy sports and was more musically minded.

But with support from his tutors, Rikki, 18, ignored the jibes from the bullies and has excelled as a member of Only Boys Aloud.

The former Rhymney Valley Comprehensive student has been singing since he was 11 years old, but also has a passion for helping develop the youth of tomorrow.

Rikki is currently studying CACHE Level 2 Support Work in School – a course which teaches child development, safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, communication and relationships and equality.

Rikki said:

“It’s crazy walking down the street and having people recognise me from the TV, and it’s great that others acknowledge that young people are achieving and not just hanging around on street corners.

“But, I must say that the support from my teachers was so important in shaping the person I am today. When I was being bullied it was a tough time, and it wasn’t a nice thing to go through.

“Although, in a way, I’m glad I went through it because I have come out a stronger person and it wouldn’t have happened if my tutors hadn’t told me to ignore the bullies, carry on singing and be myself.

“Now, I’m looking to give something back and support teachers in developing the next generation, as I find helping others so rewarding.”

Rikki’s tutor at The College Ystrad Mynach, also a singer in her spare time, Emma Baxter, added:

“Rikki is fantastic to teach and is so enthusiastic. He’s extremely supportive of the other students and draws on his experience of his previous work placements in secondary schools.

“He has a really demanding schedule at the moment, with the release of their upcoming albums, but you wouldn’t know it with the standard of his work. In fact, we didn’t know it – he didn’t tell us he was part of Only Boys Aloud for months!”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re delighted to have such a talented student in Rikki, who boasts both a passion for his singing but also a determination to succeed in a career in the teaching profession.

“We also pride ourselves in our teaching staff and the teachers are always here to support every student in every way they can, and our staff will always look to support students in their academic careers and other interests.”

The College Ystrad Mynach students tackle coaching scheme in USA

Marketing — Thu, 31 January 2013 14:08:00

STUDENTS at The College Ystrad Mynach now have the opportunity to develop their budding soccer coaching skills across the pond in the USA.

The coaching scheme – called Challenger Sports – allows students to travel to different areas of America to build on their coaching skills in a variety of soccer camps.

The scheme was introduced to the college by Sport Co-ordinator, Neil Smothers, who coached soccer in the States himself, as a student at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Students will travel to a variety of States across the US, including California, Chicago, Atlanta, Colorado and North Carolina.

Neil said:

“The scheme gives the students an opportunity to boost their coaching skills in a different soccer culture, where the game is played completely differently.

“It will also help them build on their independence and confidence skills, when meeting new people and developing their portfolio of contacts.”

Daniel Morgan, a student taking part in the scheme, added:

“I’ve been playing soccer since I can remember and I find coaching youngsters so rewarding.

“It’s so exciting when you see young people working hard and improving, as I know how important sport is to young people, and I love putting the work in to help them get better.

“I’m excited and a little bit scared to go, as I’ve never been away from home for more than a week and I’m going to be spending the whole summer in Denver – but I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“It’s fantastic that our students now have the opportunity to develop their skill-set by travelling to a different country and experiencing a different culture of sport.

“We pride ourselves on giving our students the best opportunities to progress with their studies and their lives, and this scheme will certainly be of benefit to those taking part.”

The College Ystrad Mynach going green with rent-a-bike scheme

Marketing — Mon, 14 January 2013 09:42:00

THE College Ystrad Mynach has launched a new rent-a-bike scheme, encouraging staff to their swap cars for bicycles, on the journey to work.

The scheme, funded by the South East Wales Travel Alliance (SEWTA),offers staff members the chance to rent a top-quality bike for free, to help the environment and to boost their health.

The selection of bikes – which includes hybrid racing bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and even a tandem – is managed by students of the college.

It gives them the chance to build on their business and communication skills, and also forms the Unit of Cycle module, part of the Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate course.

There are currently 12 students working on the scheme – providing maintenance, cleaning and servicing of the bikes, as well as customer service to staff members.

Adam Payne, a student from Lansbury Park in Caerphilly, who is taking part in the scheme, said:

“The course has given us the opportunity to work together as a team, and hopefully it will help with our employment prospects in the future.”

Bill Hunt, The College Ystrad Mynach’s Project Organiser, added:

“We want to get staff members out of their cars and onto their bikes. It’s good for the environment, their health, and the students are benefiting from the skills they’re learning from the scheme.

“Not only are they learning about servicing the bikes themselves, but they have the opportunity to market the scheme by producing posters and leaflets.

“They also get the opportunity to test the bicycles by going on long rides through the countryside. Although, I’m sure we’ll get far more volunteers for testing in the spring and summer!”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re a progressive college, always looking for ways in which we can improve the environment and ‘get greener’.

“This scheme allows us to fulfil those objectives, while also helping students to build their skill-sets, enhancing their employability prospects after completing their studies at the college.”

Young Caerphilly chef employed at five star Gleneagles resort

Marketing — Mon, 14 January 2013 09:25:00

A young chef, from Bargoed in Caerphilly, is now cooking at the five-star Gleneagles Resort in Scotland.

Michael Coggan, aged 22, who has fine-tuned his culinary skills to focus on deserts and baking, is enjoying his new busy lifestyle in the heart of Scotland.

Interestingly, it is not Michael’s first experience of cooking in a five-star environment, having previously worked at the Hilton Hotel, straight after completing his NVQ Level Two in Professional Cookery at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Michael is no stranger to producing food at the highest standard – in 2009, he entered the Welsh International Culinary Championships, in North Wales, coming away with a bronze medal in the open pasta competition.

He has always had a passion for cooking and baking, and used to cook with his grandmother after finishing school.

Michael, who strangely enjoys baking to let off steam after a day in the kitchen, said:

“I’ve loved cooking since I can remember and have always wanted to be a chef. I was fortunate enough to land a job working at a top hotel straight after finishing college, which is in no small part down to the support I received while I was there.

“The tutors were always there if I needed any help or support and they have always backed me to enter competitions. My tutor was an absolute inspiration.

“Working at the Gleneagles resort is very busy and high pressured, and that is what I enjoy about the job.

“I also have the opportunity to produce deserts and baking of the highest standard, and even though I’m still learning, this is the place to benefit my career further.”

Bryn Davies, principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re delighted that Michael is now cooking at such a prestigious resort. He was a dedicated student and it was clear he was going to achieve great things.

“His success is also a tribute to his teachers, who work tirelessly to ensure that every student receives the best possible teaching and support.”

Student with additional learning needs wins Welsh art competition

Marketing — Fri, 30 November 2012 16:31:00

A CARDIFF student with additional learning needs has won a prestigious art competition and his piece has been chosen as a cover for the 2012 Disability Arts Cymru Christmas card.

Leslie Saunders, aged 21, entered his ‘robin’ piece into the Disability Arts Cymru ‘Go Get Started’ competition, building on his love for painting and craftwork.

The College Ystrad Mynach student was born with a rare condition called Costello Syndrome, meaning that he struggles with speech and the ability to walk long distances.

Leslie, who studies Learning for Life and Leisure – a course focussing on improving basic skills, and promoting self-confidence - worked on the piece tirelessly for a period of months and is extremely proud of his artwork.

As Leslie has severe mobility and communication problems, he mainly uses ‘Signalong’ – a type of sign language - to communicate, and his teachers have consistently praised his enthusiasm and effort.

The budding artist moved into his own flat, with support, earlier this year and hosts some more of his artwork on display for his guests.

Disability Arts Cymru is committed to working with individuals and organisations to celebrate the diversity of disabled and deaf people’s art and culture, and is revenue funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

The competition winner, Leslie, said:

“I’m very happy to have won this award and I’m looking forward to many people receiving the Christmas card, and seeing my artwork.

“I’ve always been interested in art, having started making pictures when I was much younger. Now I’ve moved on to ceramics, painting pictures and making pots. I’ve been awarded lots of certificates for my work as well.

Maggie Hampton, Director of Disability Arts Cymru added:

“Leslie’s piece was brilliant and original, and won the competition amidst fierce competition from over 300 high-quality entries.

“The high standard of entries demonstrates the exciting and valuable contribution made to the arts in Wales by disabled and deaf people and underlines the talent that is on offer.”

His tutor at The College Ystrad Mynach, Gary Humphries, said:

“Leslie has been with us three years now and is an absolute inspiration to others around him. He is a pleasure to have in class, has a great sense of humour and he brings the best out of everybody.

“He’s extremely cheerful and he copes brilliantly with the hand he has been dealt with. His artwork is fantastic and nobody deserves this award more than him.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“We’re delighted that Leslie has won such a great award, contributing to a great cause, and he deserves it for all the effort and commitment he puts in at college every day.

“The award is also a tribute to his teachers, who work tirelessly to ensure that every student receives the best possible teaching and support.”

Wales' colleges develop skills in China

Marketing — Mon, 26 November 2012 10:21:00

Nine vocational students from three of Wales’ colleges are on a trip of a lifetime in Chongqing, China, swapping skills knowledge and glimpsing new horizons in the world’s fastest growing city.

The students, who are studying at Ystrad Mynach College, Coleg Morgannwg and Yale College Wrexham, are being hosted by City Management College in Chongqing for the next two weeks (17 Nov – 1 Dec). They will be participating in skills and cultural workshops relevant to their studies, which span a wide range of vocational areas, including: health & social care, sports science, engineering, information technology, and art & design.

Setting the scene at the grand welcome ceremony this morning, the Welsh group was treated to a special address by Li Shyiu, International Director at Chongqing Education Commission. Her participation demonstrates that this visit, organised by CollegesWales (UK) International, is considered significant and strategic at governmental level in Chongqing.

The five staff members who are accompanying the students have a busy programme of relationship-building activities to manage. Hospitality and catering links are the key focus of the Coleg Powys representative, whilst the representatives from Ystrad Mynach College, Coleg Morgannwg and Yale College Wrexham have a wide remit to cover between them, including: health and social care, business, sport, travel and tourism, hair and beauty, and public services.

Hands-on teaching will add a particularly interesting dimension to the experience of the Welsh staff. Al Koursaros, senior lecturer in management and business at Ystrad Mynach College and who is also the CollegesWales (UK) International’s Group Leader for the duration of the visit, will be teaching Chinese students at City Management College.

Sian Holleran, International Coordinator at CollegesWales (UK) International, said: “CollegesWales (UK) International is keen to ensure that vocational learners from Wales have opportunities to broaden their horizons and consider their place in the global economy. I am delighted that the Wales-Chongqing Further Education Consortium has been able to secure this skills-based experience for Welsh learners as well as to facilitate strategic level discussions with counterparts in Chongqing.

“That the group from Wales has been feted by the International Director at Chongqing Education Commission augurs particularly well, and I am confident that the visit will serve to deepen relationships and develop more opportunities for learners in Wales and Chongqing.”

Rhymney student beats cancer and scoops college award

Marketing — Thu, 01 November 2012 13:08:00

A young Rhymney student who overcame cancer has gone on to win a prestigious learning award.

Craig Bannan, aged 20, won the IT Practitioners Award at an awards ceremony held in Caerphilly Castle that celebrated the achievements of over 50 students of The College Ystrad Mynach.

Craig was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2009. His illness forced him to leave college, having enrolled on the BTEC Level 3 National course in IT, to receive treatment and concentrate on his recovery.

After seemingly overcoming cancer, he re-enrolled at The College Ystrad Mynach a year later.

Having starting his course at the second attempt Craig unfortunately suffered a relapse. However, he decided that he was not going to drop out and was determined to complete the course while receiving treatment.

During the year, Craig underwent an intensive course of treatment and rehabilitation, including two operations and chemotherapy.

(Craig, pictured above, receiving his award from guest speaker at the event, Victoria Winckler, Bevan Foundation)

Despite enduring such gruelling medical treatment, the 20 year-old logged into the college’s online system every day to check for any work to be completed and any outstanding deadlines.

Happily, Craig is now in remission and completed his course without requesting any extensions or revised deadlines.

Craig was nominated for the IT Practitioners Award by his course tutor, Sharon Young, who was impressed with his attitude and contribution to the course. The award celebrates those who have achieved excellence on the course, which specialises in computer programming, maintenance and networking and business administration.

He is now studying for an accountancy qualification and plans to go to university to study chartered accountancy.

Craig said:

“The second time I was diagnosed I thought to myself ‘I’ve got to do this course or it’s my life over. I can’t let this get in the way again.’ I stayed on the course and worked from home. Having the work to do gave me the incentive to battle through my problems and to succeed.

“It was tough working through the time of having treatment but the teachers always supported me with my workload.

“I logged into our college system any time I felt well to check if there was any work to do or deadlines. The tutors always let me know if there were any problems and my girlfriend and family have been a great support.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach, said:

“Craig is an inspiration to us all and is a testament to those battling with adversity. The strength it must have taken to beat cancer, whilst also continuing his studies, is astonishing.

“We also pride ourselves in our teaching staff and the teachers are always here to support every student in every way they can, which is clearly the case here, as we did everything we could to support Craig with his course and also his overall wellbeing.”

Injured army officer chooses The College Ystrad Mynach for latest step of fundraising journey

Marketing — Thu, 11 October 2012 09:07:00

A former army officer who suffered severe injuries while serving in Iraq chose The College Ystrad Mynach as the starting point of the latest stage in his heroic fundraising efforts.

Phil Packer MBE suffered severe spinal chord injuries while on active service in 2008 and was told he would not be able to walk again. However, he overcame adversity and by December, Phil will have walked the equivalent of 310 marathons in 330 days – and a total of 2,012 miles walked in 2012.

His fundraising efforts to date have raised well over a million pounds, gaining national media attention and several national awards. He has since founded the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) which aims to support young people facing adversity.

With his latest feat, he is aiming to raise £15 million to build the BRIT Centre of Inspiration - a nationwide rehabilitation facility for young people. Phil hopes to meet and inspire young people suffering with physical and mental adversity, deprivation, medical conditions, injury and also young carers as he travels across every county in Wales throughout October.

He started the latest leg of his walk at the Twyn Road campus, cheered on by students and Cllr Vera Jenkins, Mayor of Caerphilly.

Phil said:

“This is about providing a physical legacy for our young people who face their darkest times. I hope that 2,012 businesses will show their support for our young people who face adversity by creating a Centre of Inspiration together. I also hope to involve young people throughout the year and encourage teams to help charities within their communities.”

Bryn Davies, principal of Ystrad Mynach College, said:

“We’re thrilled that Phil Packer MBE chose to continue his incredible fundraising journey here at Ystrad Mynach. He is an inspiration to everybody and we wish him the best of luck in raising money for his charity and the rest of his massive challenge.”

To find out more about how you can support Phil Packer and donate towards the BRIT Centre of Inspiration, please visit: http://www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk/HOME.

Paralympic success for Ystrad Mynach student

Marketing — Thu, 13 September 2012 16:35:00

Picture courtesy of worldwidefeatures.com

A student from The College Ystrad Mynach has returned from the London Paralympics having finished fifth and securing a personal best in the F46 javelin contest.

Hollie Arnold, 18, narrowly missed out on a medal at this year’s Games with a throw of 36.27 metres and now has her sights firmly set on the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she is also hoping to compete in discus as well as javelin.

Hollie, who lives in Hengoed and studied sport development at The College Ystrad Mynach, was the youngest ever thrower when she competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics aged just 14.

Originally from Grimsby in north Lincolnshire, Hollie and her family moved to South Wales just over a year ago to enable her to access coaching and take advantage of the high quality sports development opportunities available in Wales.

The dedicated teenager, who was born with part of her lower right arm missing, trains at Sport Wales National Centre and Cardiff Metropolitan University and was awarded a BTEC in Level 1 Sport from The College Ystrad Mynach in 2011.

Hollie first became interested in javelin at the age of ten after seeing older brother Ashley throw. Determined to have a go herself, she picked up the javelin and discovered she had a talent for the sport.

Her skills and determination, as well as the support of her family, have seen her win an impressive array of awards in the four years she has been throwing professionally.

Hollie, who has also competed in discus and shot putt at junior world level, ranked third in the senior world after winning bronze at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Senior Championships in New Zealand.

Hollie said: “The experience of being in the Paralympics has been absolutely amazing. It’s such a great feeling to go out into the crowd and feel so proud to represent Team GB and know that everyone there is wanting you to do well.

“I’m so grateful to my family for all their support and everything they’ve done to get me where I am today.”

The talented athlete added: “My mum and dad have really influenced and motivated me because of everything that they’ve sacrificed for me. Everyone should know that no matter what disability you’ve got, you have to try your best as you never know how far you’ll get.”

Having worked hard training for the Paralympic Games, Hollie is planning to stay in Wales to train for the upcoming World Championships in France and the Commonwealth Games in 2014. She is also keen to learn to drive, having postponed it to prioritise training for the Paralympics. She is also considering returning to studying sports development.

She said: “Staff at The College Ystrad Mynach were really lovely and extremely supportive and always let me have time off for competitions. They understand that, as an athlete, you have commitments you need to meet.”

First class college teaching delivers a First class result for Tredegar mum

Marketing — Thu, 06 September 2012 09:58:00

A Tredegar mum has been awarded a First class honours degree after successfully completing her education degree course at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Susan Davies, a 41 year old divorced parent, successfully completed the part time evening course while working full time at a local school and caring for her family.

After completing a two-year Foundation degree course, Susan decided to stay on and complete the final year of the BA (Honours) Early Years Care & Education course at The College Ystrad Mynach, franchised from the University of Wales Newport.

Having previously attained Advanced Diploma and Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualifications, Susan was keen to further develop her career, and top up her qualifications. With two children to care for, Susan opted to study for her degree at the Further Education (FE) college. As well as being closer to her home and place of work, she was attracted by the close-knit community and support available.

Susan explained:

“When you have been out of the education system for so long, it can feel quite intimidating going back. Studying at The College really suited my life and fitted with my commitments, and I felt really at ease there. All of the staff are so friendly and supportive, as well as being fantastic teachers.”

Susan added: “I couldn’t have done it without the support around me, from my family as well. My children have been brilliant. I’m so grateful as I never thought I’d see myself with a degree after so long out of the system.”

Tutor Alyson Lewis is thrilled that Susan has gained a First class honours and is pleased that the first-class teaching available at FE colleges is being recognised.

Alyson said:

“I’m so pleased for Susan, she deserves a massive congratulations for all her hard work and dedication over the last three years. Many of our students work full time and juggle home and work commitments and Susan has been a real inspiration.”

Commenting on the high quality of higher education teaching available at many Further education colleges, Alyson added:

“Not only are routes to qualifications more flexible at further education colleges when compared to universities, the locality of colleges to students’ workplaces and homes can make it easier to juggle studying and other commitments. Also, the cost of attaining a degree at an FE college is considerably less than through a university.”

The College Ystrad Mynach offers a range of Higher Education courses at its site in Ystrad Mynach, including HNC/D and Foundation Degree courses in variety of areas. Courses are franchised from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and the University of Wales, Newport, offering well-recognised higher qualifications delivered by a local college.

Brynley Davies, Principal of The College Ystrad Mynach commented:

“Many students at The College are experienced professionals in their field looking to upskill, and improve their knowledge and personal development. We are keen to encourage more professionals to explore further education routes to higher education, and to continue to deliver first -lass teaching in FE institutions. Congratulations to Susan on her achievement. I am sure she will inspire more mature students to realise their potential.”

Bright Spark Lewis Reaches National Skills Contest Final

Marketing — Wed, 05 September 2012 11:46:00

A YOUNG electronics student is getting set to showcase his talents in the finals of a prestigious UK skills competition.

Lewis Clarke, 19, a student at The College Ystrad Mynach, has won a place in the final of the World Skills UK competition to be held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Lewis, from Penallta, Caerphilly, has just started the second year of his two year extended national diploma in electronic and electrical engineering at The College Ystrad Mynach.

And his talent working with circuits and capacitors has won him a place in the industrial electronics competition final at the World Skills event.

The contest is part of the Skills Show, the UK’s biggest skills and careers event held annually to inspire the fashion designers, web developers and engineers of tomorrow with exciting opportunities in further education, skills and apprenticeships.

The event, being held this year from November 15 to 17, also aims to highlight the importance of skills to economic growth in the UK and will feature a range of competitions, awards and activities.

To reach the finals, Lewis competed at a regional heat in Swansea where he completed a number of challenges which involved building and testing circuits for the judges.

Lewis said: “I’m really looking forward to going to the final. For the competition, we’ll be doing programming and designing circuit boards as well.”

Lewis’ interest in electronics was first sparked when he was a pupil at St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly.

“I first got interested in it at school and I really enjoyed doing the work. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now,” said Lewis, whose full time college course sees him swapping between practical and theory and text books and tool kits.

“There is lots of maths and theoretical work to study as well as practical work,” added Lewis, who enjoys playing squash and meeting up with friends in his spare time.

Once he completes his college course, Lewis hopes to go to university to continue his studies in electronics and eventually find a job in the field.

And it seems Lewis’ interest in all things electrical runs in the family as his brother Jordan, 17, is due to start on the same course at Ystrad Mynach in September. He also has a younger brother Nathan, five.

Course tutor Corinne Hey said: “Lewis has worked really hard all year on his practical skills and theory which were a great combination to get into the final.

“He deserves every success and we wish him all the best for the final and for his university studies and beyond.”

College Principal Bryn Davies said: “We are delighted that Lewis has got through to the national final of the World Skills UK competition. He has worked extremely hard in his first year and a place in the final is the icing on the cake.

“It is also testament to his tutors who have taught him so well as it is no mean feat to make it through to the finals of this prestigious competition

Childcare student Anthony aiming to be top of the class

Marketing — Thu, 12 July 2012 10:27:00

ANTHONY Toye is all set for success in a profession dominated by women.

The College Ystrad Mynach childcare student is the only male in a class of 18 females and is now in the running for a national childcare student of the year award.

Anthony, 20, from Caerphilly, is on a shortlist of just four to win the prestigious award run by education company Pearson and Nursery World magazine.

The award is given to a student who performs brilliantly on their childcare course and who shows the potential to be a great childcare professional.

It was while growing up in a house with four younger brothers and a sister that former Bedwas High School pupil Anthony first discovered his love of working with children.

And when he returned to his primary school Plas-y-Felin Primary School in Caerphilly to do a work placement while studying for his GCSEs, he realised teaching was what he wanted to do for a career.

“When I was looking after my brothers and sister, I thought I might enjoy doing it as a job. I then did a work placement at my old primary school and after just a week, I thought this is the job for me,” said Cardiff City fan Anthony.

After completing his A-Levels at Bedwas High School, Anthony enrolled on the two-year Cache Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education course at The College Ystrad Mynach in 2010.

As well as studying in the classroom at college, Anthony has been able to put theory into practice at school placements two days each week.

“Studying was a lot of hard work but it was really great because once you learn something new at college, you can put it into practice when you go to the placements,” said Anthony, who also enjoys playing five-a-side football.

During his two year course, hard-working Anthony has been on placements at St Helen’s RC Primary School in Lansbury Park, Caerphilly, and Acorns Day Nursery in Llanishen, Cardiff.

He has spent most of his time at Hendredenny Primary School in Hendredenny, Caerphilly, and even though he has just finished his college course, he is still going there every day until the school breaks up for the summer holidays.

“I’ve got so much out of the placements and it’s really rewarding helping children to develop their education, even if it’s just the smallest thing,” said Anthony.

And he said being the only man in a class full of women had really helped his studies.

“I thought it was a bit unusual being with a big group of girls at first but they have different viewpoints to me and I have different viewpoints to them.

“When we had a discussion in class, we could help each other with different points of view. It’s good to hear alternative views and different ways of doing things.”

Having now just completed the course, Anthony is getting ready to head to university in September to do an early childhood studies degree before hopefully going on and taking up his dream job as a primary school teacher.

He is also now waiting to see if he has won the much-coveted national childcare award after spending a day in Oxford being interviewed by the judges.

“I’m delighted to be on the shortlist for the award. And I feel very honoured because I’m the first person to have ever been nominated from the college. To be a man in an industry dominated by women, I’m extremely pleased.”

Ann Parker, Cache coordinator at The College Ystrad Mynach, said Anthony had been a joy to teach and had shown a real talent for working with children.

She said: “Anthony has been such a pleasure to teach and his passion for childcare and teaching is evident for everyone to see.

“Anthony is a first class student and his work both in class and on his placements has been superb. He’s a really talented and committed young man and has got a very bright future ahead of him. Everyone at the college is delighted that he has been shortlisted for this prestigious award and we wish him every success in the future.”

The childcare student award will be presented at the glamorous annual Nursery World awards ceremony in London in September.

College goes for gold in healthy workplace award scheme

Marketing — Thu, 12 July 2012 10:24:00

THE College Ystrad Mynach has struck gold in its bid to be a healthy place to work.

The college has earned a gold award in the Welsh Government’s Corporate Health Standard scheme, a national mark of quality for health and well-being in the workplace.

The award recognises the college’s commitment to providing its staff with a healthier place to work at all its centres across Caerphilly County.

The scheme encourages organisations to bring in and develop policies and practices which will benefit their workforce physically, mentally and emotionally.

The College Ystrad Mynach won the scheme’s bronze award last year and then went straight for the gold this year.

To win gold, the college has increased and improved its healthy schemes in and around its many campuses.

But as Anthony Matthews, the college’s human resources project manager, explained, the biggest change has been the extra input from college staff.

He said: “The main thing we have done in going for the gold award is to get more people involved and to try to embed health and well-being into the culture of the organisation.

“More staff are now coming up with ideas and doing things themselves rather than the schemes being led by the management.”

Anthony said staff from throughout the college were now coming forward with ideas to develop health and well-being.

“Staff have set up their own Zumba classes and others have formed a choir,” he said.

A cycle to work scheme has been introduced as well as a chance for staff to buy bicycles at discounted rates.

And more formal health screening is being brought in which will look at blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring for staff.

Anthony, who chairs a steering committee to manage the college’s Corporate Health Standard work, added: “We are trying to encourage a culture of health and well-being. We are getting ideas from all over the college - business support staff, lecturers and managers have all got different viewpoints and we get different views on what to do.”

For the bronze award, the college introduced a number of healthy food options in the refectory and has since been working hard to offer even more choice on the menu.

Anthony said: “We have improved a lot in what we are doing on the catering side with much more healthy eating, by asking staff and students what they want.”

He added: “We are really pleased to have been awarded the gold standard. Liz James, the chairman of governors, was very supportive of the initiative and was extremely pleased that we have achieved it.”

College Principal Bryn Davies said: “I am delighted that the college has been awarded the gold Corporate Health Standard. It is wonderful to see the enthusiastic way staff from all over the college have got on board and had real input into the scheme.

“Having a healthy and happy workforce is vital for The College Ystrad Mynach as it will be a huge benefit to both staff and students alike.”

The next level in the scheme is the platinum award which looks at corporate responsibility and sustainable development and is something the college will consider working towards in the coming months.

College students and staff rewarded for hard work at annual prize-giving

Marketing — Thu, 12 July 2012 09:21:00

THE College Rhymney held its annual prize-giving ceremony to honour the hard work of its students and staff.

Guests gathered at the Oasis Christian Centre in Blackwood where awards were presented by the Mayor of Caerphilly Gaynor Oliver in a host of categories, rewarding winners for their achievements over the last 12 months.

Jenny Clements, 36, a married mum-of-two, from Argoed, won the College’s Overcoming Adversity Award for her determination in her studies after being diagnosed with dyslexia.

Before enrolling at the main campus in Rhymney last year, Jenny was part of The College @ Large scheme where she studied at the Tab Life Centre in Pontllanfraith. It was there that her tutor suspected she may be dyslexic.

“I knew there was something not right. I struggled really badly at school. I went to college in the community before going to the main college and the tutor suspected I might be dyslexic,” said the former Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil, who is married to Carle.

She added: “They asked if I wanted to do a test for dyslexia which confirmed it. I also have Irlen Syndrome which is linked to the dyslexia. I can’t see things like other people can.”

But it didn’t put Jenny off from continuing her studies. In fact, it had the opposite effect.

After working as a sewing machinist at the now-closed Gossard’s factory in Pontllanfraith, and with her children growing up, Jenny decided she wanted to work again so went back to the classroom to gain some qualifications.

“It was a weight off my shoulders to be honest when the dyslexia was confirmed. And I was then even more eager to go to college,” said Jenny, who is mum to Luke, 15, and eight-year-old Grace.

Jenny, who also volunteers as an assistant at her daughter’s school, Markham Primary, is now in the second year of studying a business and finance course at Rhymney.

And she said the college and her tutors had made sure her dyslexia was no barrier to her succeeding in her studies.

“With the condition, different colours suit different people and they found out my colour was yellow so my computer is yellow and all my work is done on yellow paper and it helps so much. My spelling and punctuation is now so much better.

“The tutors are wonderful. I really love going to college and I always look forward to it,” said Jenny, who hopes to work in an office or as a teacher’s assistant when she completes her studies.

Canteen cook Sarah Deacon, 41, from Trethomas, won the Business Support Recognition Award after being nominated by the Rhymney Learner Council, a body made up of students on the campus.

In fact, the students were so keen to see Sarah rewarded that they asked the college to introduce the award so they could nominate the popular cook.

Sarah started work in the canteen on the Rhymney campus last October and as the only member of staff there, does everything from coming up with the menus, preparing, cooking and serving the food, taking the money and doing the washing up.

She serves dozens of students and staff each day with a choice of hot meals, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, burgers, vegetarian and healthy options and fresh fruit.

(Jenny Clement pictured left and Sarah Deacon pictured right receiving their awards from the Mayor of Caerphilly Council)

Cooking has always been a huge passion for Sarah, who, after leaving school, studied at catering college. She has been in the hospitality trade all her working life, managing a hotel, restaurant, pub and nightclub.

“I was highly honoured to be nominated. I really enjoy working here and I love what I do. It’s great to speak to the students and talk about the food and healthy eating,” said Sarah, who is married to fellow chef Ashley, who works at the Crossways pub in Caerphilly.

The culinary couple have a five-year-old son Connor, who was with Sarah as she picked up her award at the ceremony in Blackwood.

Guests were welcomed by Carolyn Donegan, Head of The College Rhymney, who introduced Deputy Principal Paul Martin and guest speaker Annette Roche, the community-based Learning Development Officer for The University of Wales, Newport.

Paying tribute to all the winners, Mrs Donegan said: “The college and the community work with 1,500 learners a year with the UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) project enabling us to provide education opportunities from entry to degree level. It was wonderful to be able to see some of those 1,500 learners receive recognition for their outstanding achievements over the last year.

“As well as our students, I am delighted that members of staff were also honoured for the work they do in and around the campus. It is their hard work, professionalism and skill that helps make The College Rhymney such a wonderful place to study and work.”

During the evening, Olympic torch bearer Chloe Lewis, 21, who is studying the UHOVI Foundation Degree in Community Sports with The College Rhymney, spoke about her experience carrying the flame through her home town of Merthyr Tydfil.

Learners from Rhymney Comprehensive School provided the music for the ceremony.

(Hairdressing Level 2 Class students Amy Eynon, Peyton Davis, Holie Pearce and Samantha Preece are presented with their Advocate of the Year awards by Mayor Gaynor Oliver. Also pictured is Deputy Principal Paul Martin)

Award winners were:

Outstanding Academic Achievement -Rhymney, Peyton Davis; Community, Carol Beddis.

Greatest Academic Progress -Community, Jennifer Jordan; Rhymney, William Morris.

Greatest Academic Progress -City & Guilds -Motor Vehicle Level 2 class.

Academic Progress -Rhymney, Hairdressing Level 1 class.

Best Role Model -Rhymney, Phoebe Edwards; Community, Eileen Moss.

Best Attendance - Rhymney, Jack Ashton; Community, Oakdale Class; Community, Robert Quelch; Rhymney, William Morris; Basic Skills, Phillip Thompson.

Highly Recommended Attendance -Rhymney, Jake Harding.

Outstanding Quality of Work -Rhymney, Pottery class; Community, Sandra Brewer.

Overcoming Adversity -Community, John Jones; Rhymney, Jenny Clements.

Artistic Endeavour -Rhymney, Proteus Group.

Learning Advocate of the Year - VTCT -Hairdressing Level 2 class.

Learning Advocate of the Year -Community, Clive Hollyfield.

Learner of the Year Rhymney -Shane Cox.

Learner of the Year Community -Robert Quelch.

Learner of the Year School Links -David Connor.

ESOL Learner of the Year -Bupha Harley.

@Centre Learners of the Year -William Lewis, Abervalley; Melissa Christopher, Bargoed; Portia Hampton, Blackwood.

Learner of the Year Active Pathways - VTCT -Hannah Osborne.

Enterprise Champion -Rhymney, Motor Vehicle Level 1 class.

Wendy Harcombe Award -Rhymney, Gareth Roberts.

Rhymney Learner Council - Tutor Recognition Award -Kelly Smith.

Rhymney Learner Council - Business Support Recognition Award - Sarah Deacon.

New initiative to get students racing towards learning

Marketing — Thu, 12 July 2012 08:51:00

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach and Helen Marshall, UHOVI Director with the cars secured for the new motorsport courses

Students will have the opportunity to gain experience building and maintaining real race cars, thanks to a joint initiative between UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) and The College Ystrad Mynach.

Three cars have been secured – a Subaru Impreza and two Volkswagen Lupos - enabling the College to provide courses in motorsport engineering at its Rhymney campus. Students will be modifying the cars as they learn how to prepare, inspect and repair motorsport vehicles.

The introduction of a range of motorsport courses will help boost skills of local people and will complement other developments in the region. This follows the confirmation of an enterprise zone in Ebbw Vale with a focus on the automotive sector. Alongside this is the ambitious plan for a motor racing circuit earmarked for the region. If successful, the £200m scheme would include state-of-the-art research and development facilities, together with an international standard motor-racing circuit.

Helen Marshall, UHOVI Director said: “UHOVI helps local people to gain relevant skills for existing and growing industries in the region. We’re working with our partners to develop an education offer that is both appealing to students and which provides relevant skills to give individuals the best career opportunities for the future.”

Bryn Davies, Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach commented: “These cars will provide students with a rare opportunity to learn using real race cars. It is an exciting development and we’re delighted to be working with UHOVI to offer motorsport courses at our Rhymney campus.”

The first course will be Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance & Repair, available from September 2012. This Level 2 full-time course is suited to those with ambitions of a career in the motorsport industry. The course offers the chance to learn valuable skills for those at entry level or anyone with experience looking to re-train. Higher Education courses will be developed by 2013, to allow progression to further study. It is anticipated that a suite of motorsport courses would include bite-sized modules and subjects such as marshalling and event management, in the future.

For more information, visit the open day at The College Rhymney on Thursday 23^rd August 10am – 7pm or contact 01443 810054.

Local students celebrate success

Marketing — Thu, 05 July 2012 13:58:00

From left to right: Jeff Cuthbert (Deputy Minister for Skills), Rachel Williams (UHOVI Learner of the Year), Chris Corcoran (comedian)

A local student has been crowned as The College Ystrad Mynach UHOVI Learner of the Year 2012.

Rachel Williams, from Abertysswg, received the award at the first Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) celebration evening at Theatre Soar in Merthyr Tydfil. Awards were presented by Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert along with well-known Welsh comedian Chris Corcoran.

Rachel is studying for a foundation degree in Information Communication Technology with UHOVI at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Rachel’s tutors commented on her excellent academic performance and contribution to the college. She has achieved distinctions in four of the five modules she has studied this year, and is predicted to achieve success at the end of the course.

Rachel says “It means a lot to win this award. I hope to go on to complete a BA (Hons) Degree and to eventually become a web designer. I enjoy the practical tasks of the course and I like the convenience of studying locally.”

Launched in 2010, UHOVI is a unique partnership between the University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport and opens up Higher Education opportunities for learners in the Valleys region.

University of Glamorgan Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of UHOVI Helen Marshall said, “UHOVI is all about improving skills and qualifications by making learning accessible to people in their own locality. This celebration event shows just how far we have come since launching and how many people are already benefiting from UHOVI courses.

“UHOVI is making a real difference to businesses in regenerating the valleys. Behind the statistics are stories of individual success with over 1500 students whose lives are being changed by their UHOVI study.”

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “I am delighted to be able to celebrate some of the success stories of the Welsh Government’s investment in education in the Heads of the Valleys.

“Over the last two years, the Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute has been delivering ambitious foundation and high-level work-related learning provision for all. It has provided an access route to Higher Education for learners who previously felt excluded or unable to participate in such opportunities.

“I would also like to congratulate the learners for their hard work and ambition that has led to the excellent results being recognised at this event.”

Tutor named Learner of the Year

Tue, 12 June 2012 08:43:00

An inspirational mature student from Cardiff has won a top learning award.

Sheila Lillywhite won the Caerphilly Learner of the Year 2012 award which was announced at the launch of the recent Caerphilly Learning Festival.

The week-long Festival is held in venues across Caerphilly and is a local celebration of the national Adult Learners’ Week, which aims to encourage more people to take the first step back into learning.

Sheila was nominated in the Employee in Learning category after achieving a Certificate in Education and then a First Class BA (Hons) PcET degree as a student at The College Ystrad Mynach, while also working full time.

She decided she wanted to go back to the classroom to make sure she had the qualifications and tools she needed to progress in her career.

Sheila, 51, from Cardiff, works as a tutor at Working Links in Castle Street, Caerphilly, where she teaches small groups of unemployed people the essential life skills they need to get back into the world of work, such as confidence, attitude, decision-making and problem solving.

Sheila completed her Certificate in Education at The College Ystrad Mynach before going onto to gain her Degree in Education and Training at the age of 50. And she did all this while working full time with Working Links.

“It’s lovely to win this award,” said married Sheila, who enjoys spending time in her garden and walking in the great outdoors.

“I didn’t have the chance to do a degree after school. For me to go back to learning at 48 was quite an achievement and to be able to do it more affordably and do it locally was a real asset.”

Sheila had to juggle full time work and her studies at The College.

“The Certificate of Education lectures went from 2pm to 8pm so I was able to arrange with work for me to make up my hours at another time. The degree course was over two years and was very intense. It was great to be able to do it at The College Ystrad Mynach because it was close to work.”

And Sheila found her studying also had a positive effect on her tutor work.

She said: “We teach life skills like motivation, attitude, team-working and confidence as a way of encouraging people to believe in themselves and make progress towards work.

“I found that the learning was crucial and has changed the way I train and structure things at work. It allowed me to be a better tutor and more professional in what I do.”

Principal at The College Ystrad Mynach Bryn Davies, who presented Sheila with her award, said: “Everyone at The College was delighted that Sheila won this award.

“Going back to the classroom later in life can be daunting and Sheila not only gained two very impressive qualifications, but did it all while working full time as well. That shows real determination and a terrific will to succeed. We are really pleased The College was able to play a part in helping Sheila to succeed.”

Sheila was a joint winner of the award along with Raymond James, 41, from Risca, who after being unemployed for 20 years due to a disease of the spine, spent a year learning computer, reading and writing skills before landing a job.

The awards were presented by Anthony Sullivan, chief executive of Caerphilly CBC, Dr Francis Cowe, deputy director (curriculum), Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute, Richard Spear, director, Niace Dysgu Cymru, and Bryn Davies, principal at The College Ystrad Mynach.

The Learning Festival, now in its sixth year, saw representatives from Caerphilly County Borough Council (Community Education and Libraries, Community Focused Schools, Genesis 2, Bridges into Work, and Working Skills for Adults), Chwarae Teg, Coleg Gwent, Communities First, Niace Dygsu Cymru, QWEST, SOLAS-Cymru, The College Ystrad Mynach, University of Wales Newport, WEA and Welsh for Adults put on a host of exciting events.

They included family learning events, money advice sessions, online language learning lessons, art and craft sessions, college information evenings, family history sessions, IT skills lessons and Nordic walking, gardening and beauty treatment sessions.

Students show support for Lesotho children

Marketing — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:26:00

Eight students from the college Ystrad Mynach have returned from a successful trip to Lesotho, Africa, where they helped educate young third world children.

Accompanied by three lecturers from The College, the group flew out to Lesotho for two weeks.

The students, who are all studying either childcare or health and social care, encouraged disadvantaged children to learn through fun and creative play activities designed to help stimulate the development of English as a spoken language. The group also visited a range of pre-schools with the Ministry of Education which provided a valuable insight into the education system in Lesotho.

Before the trip, each student had to raise £800 individually to fund the project, which they did through organising ironing sessions, selling recipe books and drumming up local community support for their bake sales and car washes.

Alyson Lewis, Early Years lecturer at The College Ystrad Mynach and one of the lecturers on the trip, said:

“The students were able to develop their team work and problem solving skills whilst experiencing another culture. It showed them how fortunate they are to be living in Wales where there are ample opportunities for them to learn.

“It also provided them with the opportunity to use the knowledge they have gained from their courses and to put these skills into practice in a real life situation. As a college, we hope to continue to strengthen our links with Lesotho in the future.”

The College’s link to Lesotho was first forged when its former head of care Lesley Cox visited the African country through her church in Penarth and set up a connection with the College on her return. This was the third year that a group from the College has visited Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa. Despite retiring in December 2011, Mrs Cox was also part of the trip.

One of the students who visited Lesotho was Amy Jones, aged 19, from Nelson. She said:

“It was an incredible experience. The children are so grateful and attentive as they really want to learn. It was extremely saddening to see the neglect some children face. However, we had great fun working with them and watching them learn. I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with such deserving children and it’s left a big impression on me.”

Rugby Captain aiming to convert training into bright nursing career

Marketing — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:05:00

A professional female rugby player is proving that she has brains and brawn in equal measure, by combining nursing studies at The College Ystrad Mynach with the hectic lifestyle of an international rugby player.

And during Adult Learners’ Week (12 - 18 May), the captain of the Welsh women’s rugby team is proof that a good education is just as vital to a professional sportsperson.

Rhian Bowden, 26, from Caerphilly, is studying Access to Nursing at The College - a popular course choice for people looking for a pathway into the medical professions.

As Captain of the Welsh women’s rugby team and having played for Wales in the 2010 World Cup and Six Nations Tournaments, Rhian has an intensive training regime, which is why the three-day a week course at The College is perfect for her.

Alongside her rugby career, Rhian gained a degree in Sport and PE at UWIC University in 2007. She then went on to complete a Personal Trainer and Sports Massage course and started working for Fitness First. However, due to the time clashes with her rugby training, Rhian left Fitness First and started working for an Insurance Company.

After two years, Rhian - who plays club rugby for Crosskeys - decided that she wanted a more active and challenging career and enrolled on the Access to Nursing course at The College Ystrad Mynach.

The year-long course gives students an understanding of the sciences and the theory of nursing. Most students will then use the skills learnt on the course in a medical University degree.

Rhian said: “I really wanted to branch into a career where I could help and interact with different people and be faced with different challenges every day. Although I love playing rugby it does take up a significant amount of my time which is one of the reasons I was attracted to the course, because it offers flexibility.

“When I have important rugby games, the staff at The College are always extremely supportive and understanding which has been a huge benefit since it makes juggling priorities easier.”

Currently studying for her final assessments, Rhian is hoping to achieve an Access to HE Diploma in Nursing in July 2012. Following this, she plans to attend Glamorgan University where she will study a three-year nursing degree.

Rhian continued: “I really enjoy studying and it’s something which stands out in the rugby team as I’m the only one who’s learning to become a nurse. Who knows, it may even come in handy on the pitch one day! It’s great to know I have a career to fall back on.

“During Adult Learners Week, it’s a great opportunity to show other people that it’s never too late to change path and pursue a new career, and adult education is a great way of getting on the right path.”

Gail Franklin, Access to Nursing Lecturer at The College, said:

“Rhian is an exemplary student who always works extremely hard despite having such a busy schedule. We are delighted that she has received offers to study at the University of Glamorgan and Cardiff where we know she will excel.

“She is a highly committed individual and is an excellent role model for adult learners everywhere.”

Heat is on for The College Ystrad Mynach cookery students

Marketing — Wed, 21 March 2012 14:25:00

FOUR aspiring young chefs showed they had the right ingredients for success when they took part in a national culinary competition.

Talented Ystrad Mynach Pathway to Apprenticeship Professional Cookery students Charlie Prosser and Cheryl Prosser (no relation), from Aberbargoed, Emma Bilkey, from Bargoed, and Daniel Jones, from Merthyr Tydfil, competed against budding chefs from across Wales at the annual Welsh International Culinary Championships.

The culinary skills of the 17-year-old students were as sharp as their kitchen knives as they competed in the prestigious competition at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru in Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, and returned with a host of medals and certificates.

The four are all fulfilling their passion for food on the college’s professional cookery course and developing their skills and techniques in the state-of-the-art kitchen and restaurant on the Ystrad Mynach campus.

Charlie won a bronze medal in the knife skills cutting of vegetables section, and a certificate of merit in both the knife skills cutting of fruit and piping creamed mashed potatoes categories.

Cheryl won a certificate of merit in both the piping mashed potatoes and open bistro sandwich sections.

And Emma scooped bronze medals in the cutting of vegetables, cutting of fruit and the open bistro sandwich categories.

Catering lecturer and the students’ tutor Carol Jones said she was extremely proud of their achievements at the competition which is organised annually by the Welsh Culinary Association.

She said: “It was a great experience for them and they did really well. We are proud for the college and for the students.”

Emma, whose ambition is to work in the food industry abroad or on a cruise ship when she qualifies, said she was delighted to return home with three bronze medals.

She added: “We did a series of competitions throughout the day when we were given a set amount of time to accomplish each task. We put into practice what we have been learning at college.

“The judges were walking back and forth so it was a bit nerve-wracking.”

Emma first got interested in joining the cookery course after being inspired by dad Mark, who is a keen amateur cook at home.

“My dad likes cooking as a hobby and I thought I’d try it. I started it at college and really got into it,” said Emma. And she said dad Mark and mum Linda were proud of what she had achieved in the competition.

“They were chuffed to bits for me,” she said.

As well as honing their cookery skills in the classroom, the talented culinary quartet also spend one day a week working in the kitchens of hotels in Cardiff as part of their course.

College Ystrad Mynach student is top of the crops

Marketing — Wed, 21 March 2012 14:17:00

A TALENTED budding hairdresser is proving she is a cut above the rest thanks to her studies at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Rachel Hickling, 15, is studying hairdressing under the Learning Pathways scheme, which enables youngsters who may not necessarily flourish in school to learn practical skills and encourages them go on and succeed.

The Welsh Government scheme allows students to take an alternative route in their education as opposed to a more traditional school-based curriculum.

Rachel, from Machen, is learning practical, hands-on hairdressing skills four days a week at the Ystrad Mynach campus and then studies more traditional subjects like maths and English one day a week at Basseleg School in Newport.

And young Rachel, who is studying for the Diploma VRQ Level 1 Hairdressing qualification, is proving to be top of the crops after winning two first places at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists annual competition in Blackpool.

Rachel won first prizes in both the evening style (hair up) and trendy blow-dry sections.

Rachel’s course takes one academic year and sees her in the college salon learning essential hairdressing skills and techniques as well as doing competition and client sessions and picking up customer services skills.

Martin Jones, the college’s 14-19 co-ordinator, said the Learning Pathways scheme was absolutely vital and without it, many more youngsters would fall into the NEET category – a person who is not in education, employment or training:

“To illustrate how important it is, you need to look at the numbers of students who join us, complete the courses and then stay with us to continue their studies or go to study elsewhere. That rate is around 75% which is very high. Without this sort of course, a lot would fall by the wayside.

“The staff work extremely hard to keep the youngsters engaged and the scheme is absolutely vital.”

Rachel’s course coordinator Jo Harris said: “Rachel is on Learning Pathways because she was not engaging with traditional education. I think the biggest benefit she has got from the scheme is that it has shown her she has a real talent for hairdressing.

“Winning first places in Blackpool has given her the confidence that she could actually be a hairdresser and she is beginning to believe in herself, which is lovely to see.”

Rachel, who was up against budding hairdressers from 40 colleges around the UK at Blackpool, said: “When they said I was the winner of the hair up section, I was so shocked. Then when they said I was first in the blow-dry as well, I started crying.”

Rachel, who is planning to continue at college next year and progress to the Level Two Hairdressing course, hopes to one day open her own salon.

She added: “I get excited when we get to do practical work in the college salon and work on each other’s hair. I really love hairdressing.”

Rachel was not the only student from The College Ystrad Mynach to come back from the Blackpool championships with a prize. There were first and third places in the face painting category for fellow students Jade Bishop and Chloe Brindle respectively.

Caring students from the College Ystrad Mynach head to Africa

Marketing — Wed, 21 March 2012 13:37:00

A CARING group of students from The College Ystrad Mynach are heading to Africa this month (March) to teach young third world children

Eight teenagers will fly to Lesotho on Sunday, March 18, and spend two weeks at a junior school where they will help the under-privileged young children develop their English language skills through play and fun activities.

The all-female group, who are studying either childcare or health and social care, have been hard at work with activities to raise the £800 they each need to fund the once-in-a-lifetime trip

Early years lecturer Alyson Lewis, one of three supervisors on the trip, explained what the students will be doing when they arrive in landlocked Lesotho, where around 40% of the two million population live below the poverty line.

“To help the children there, our students will be playing games and makingcrafts, organising basic stimulation activities and teaching English through nursery rhymes and songs,” she said.

Alyson, who also went on the trip last year, said the Ystrad students would discover a vast difference between their lives in South Wales and those of the Lesotho children, a number of whom are orphans.

She added: “The school has very limited resources and the classrooms are literally like shells. The floors are dusty and all they have is a chalkboard.”

As well as helping the young Lesotho children with their education, Alyson said the college students will benefit hugely from their experience.

Alyson added: “It will help to develop a cultural link for our students who will be able to see how a third world country is so different to their own.

“It makes the students grateful for what they have here in Wales and as the girls will need to think on their feet and work as a team, they will each be developing individually as a person.”

Student Amy Jones, 19, from Nelson, said they had been holding ironing sessions and selling recipe books and raffle tickets to raise funds for the trip.

Amy, who hopes to go on to study at Lancaster University, said: “I’m going to learn to live without luxury and how to cope in different situations and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure I’ll never forget it.”

It is the third year a group from the college has visited Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa.

The link with Lesotho was forged by the college’s former Head of Care Lesley Cox, who made her first trip to the African country through her church in Penarth and then set up the link with the college.

Lesley, who retired in December, is also going on the trip in March.

Pontypool trainee wins through to all-Wales Hairdressing final

Marketing — Wed, 07 March 2012 13:48:00

A trainee from Pontypool has won through to the final of the competition to find Wales’ best up and coming Hairdresser.

17-year-old Heather Keeble from Pontypool, a Level 2 Hairdressing student at The College Ystrad Mynach, came out top in the South & West Wales heat of the Skills Competition Wales Hairdressing event held at The College Ystrad Mynach.

She will now go forward to the all-wales final which will be held at Coleg Powys on 25 March 2012.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund,Skills Competition Walespromotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce.

Stylists had to complete two hairstyles within a set time frame. The first style was a ladies military precision cut on a mannequin head followed by a strictly hair up style on a live model. Competitors were judged on their cut, finish and colour techniques whilst the hair up heat was judged on the overall finish and ornamentation used within the style.

Skills Competition Walesaims to find Wales’ most talented trainees across a wide range of skills, including fields such as hairdressing, automotive engineering, aerospace, construction skills, catering, accountancy, media, and information technology.

It involves colleges, Sector Skills Councils and training providers running competitions across Wales.

Skills Competition Walesoffers learners a chance to test, benchmark and raise their skills levels and provides valuable competition experience for those who enter and progress onto WorldSkills UK competitions. The next World Skills event takes place in Leipzig in July 2013. For employers, competitions not only help drive up the quality in apprenticeships and vocational education, but also motivate employees to achieve success.

WorldSkills UK competitions are the feeder route for competitors to go forward and represent their Country at the biennial International 'WorldSkills' competition – the world’s largest skills competition.

The Welsh Government is encouraging businesses and skills providers in Wales to get involved, promote and support Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills competitions.

For more information about Skills Competitions Wales and WorldSkills UK please visit www.worldskillsuk.org/wales

Penarth trainee wins through to all-Wales Nail Enhancement final

Marketing — Wed, 07 March 2012 13:46:00

A trainee from Penarth has won through to the final of the competition to find Wales’ best up and coming Nail Technician.

18-year-old Charlotte Burley from Penarth, a Nail Services student at The College Ystrad Mynach, came out top in the South & West Wales heat of the Skills Competition Wales Nail Enhancement event held at The College Ystrad Mynach.

She will now go forward to the all-wales final which will be held at Coleg Morgannwg on 25 March.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund,Skills Competition Walespromotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce.

Contestants had to paint two hands to the theme of Golden Burlesque within a set time frame. Competitors were judged on the nail application, finished result and their application of Health & Safety.

Skills Competition Walesaims to find Wales’ most talented trainees across a wide range of skills, including fields such as nail enhancement, automotive engineering, aerospace, construction skills, catering, accountancy, media, and information technology.

It involves colleges, Sector Skills Councils and training providers running competitions across Wales.

Skills Competition Walesoffers learners a chance to test, benchmark and raise their skills levels and provides valuable competition experience for those who enter and progress onto WorldSkills UK competitions. The next World Skills event takes place in Leipzig in July 2013. For employers, competitions not only help drive up the quality in apprenticeships and vocational education, but also motivate employees to achieve success.

The Welsh Government is encouraging businesses and skills providers in Wales to get involved, promote and support Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills competitions.

For more information about Skills Competitions Wales and WorldSkills UK please visit www.worldskillsuk.org/wales

Sky's the limit for Air Cabin Crew student

Marketing — Mon, 13 February 2012 16:45:00

A Caerphilly man has become a real high flier, embarking on a jet set career with one of the world’s leading airlines thanks to a vocational course on offer at The College Ystrad Mynach.

Stuart Williams, aged 21, from Caerphilly has seen his career really take off since he completed a Level 2 Air Cabin Crew and Passenger Handling Certificate at the College Ystrad Mynach.

After attending a recruitment fair at Cardiff airport, he applied for a Cabin Crew position with Thomas Cook, who were impressed enough to snap him up before making him an official Cabin Crew member on his 18^th birthday. He said:

"I was still 17 and under the legal age to be recruited as Cabin Crew at the time I applied for the position, but the company liked me enough to hire me in advance.”

Stuart now works for British Airways and his goal is to become a Pilot. Between flying around the world he is also studying for my NVQ level 3 and 4 in Travel and Tourism at the College Ystrad Mynach with a view to applying for British Airways Pilot training sponsorship in the future.

He said:

“I feel so lucky to have a career that I am really passionate about. I get to work with new people on every flight and visit fantastic destinations on a regular basis, which is a great perk.”

Gabriella Anderson, one of the Air Cabin Crew course lecturers at The College Ystrad Mynach said:

"Many students who undertake the course go on to become successful Air Cabin Crew for well-known airlines and success stories like Stuart’s are what make the course so rewarding to teach. It's so valuable to deliver a course that prepares students specifically for their chosen careers.”

The 12-month course, delivered at the College Ystrad Mynach is available to school-leavers interested in working in the air travel industry. Through theory and practical sessions – many of which are taught in a purpose built mock aeroplane cabin - students are trained how to deal effectively with the health, safety and security of passengers and how to respond correctly to emergency situations. The intensive training includes community first aid, fire fighting, slide evacuation and foreign language skills.

Stuart, a former Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni pupil, said:

"Thanks to signing up for the course I am now enjoying every second of a really rewarding career, and I’m so glad I did it. I would definitely recommend the course to other young people as a route to a job that combines customer service with fantastic travelling opportunities.”

Gabriella Anderson said:

"The practical nature of the course through role play and mock aircraft flights makes it really enjoyable for the students and really prepares them for the real thing. More importantly, it provides the school leavers with an array of confidence and exceptional customer service skills that they can take on to any career.

“It’s great to see Stuart doing so well and he is a great example of what possibilities this course can open up for students.”

Welsh motor course driving students to success

Marketing — Mon, 16 January 2012 15:50:00

A vocational motor vehicle course delivered through the medium of Welsh is gearing pupils towards a career where they can use Welsh as a working language.

The 10-week course, offered at The College Rhymney is available to year 10 pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw as part of the College’s response to the Welsh Government Learning Pathways, which encourages the provision of opportunities for young people to learn through the medium of Welsh.

The College decided to offer its popular vocational motor vehicle course in Welsh and now each term learners from the collaborating schools attend the college to learn about basic vehicle maintenance.

Daniel Jones, the course tutor at The College Rhymney, said:

“It is unusual to meet a 15 year old who knows exactly what they want to do. This course helps students see what kind of practical courses College can offer them in the future, while learning in the language they are used to being taught in.

“It is great to see pupils learning through Welsh because there is a clear advantage of being bilingual in the labour market and it shows them that using Welsh doesn’t stop at the school gate.”

Fourteen-year-old Joe Daniels from Caerphilly has just completed the course. He said:

“The course has given me a real taste for college and has opened my eyes to the options open to me after I leave school. It’s also great to be able to learn a new skill in the language I am most comfortable with”.

Under the guidance of Mr Jones, the pupils undertake basic vehicle maintenance modules including Health and Safety in a motor vehicle workshop, an introduction to checking car engine levels and an introduction to checking car lights. Upon successful completion they are awarded an OCN certificate.

Joe, who has always been interested in cars and is considering returning to The College Rhymney to take a further course in motor vehicle maintenance, said:

“The practical element of the course was particularly enjoyable. Learning how to examine engines, assess tyre pressures, change tyres and service vehicles taught me skills that will come in handy in the future.

“It’s a relief to know I won’t be leaving the Welsh language behind when I leave school. With more people speaking Welsh, customers now expect a bilingual service so knowing all of the important terms will hopefully improve my chances of getting a job.”

Carolyn Donegan, Head of The College Rhymney, said:

“It is important that we increase our Welsh medium provision and we are delighted to be working with local schools to provide this option. We are even more pleased that the Welsh motor vehicle course has been such a success and we are looking forward to extending this method of teaching to more vocational courses in the future.”

College achieves top health accreditation

Marketing — Fri, 16 December 2011 14:52:00

The College Ystrad Mynach is setting the standard when it comes to being a healthy place to work.

The College has been presented with a bronze award in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Corporate Health Standard scheme, the quality mark promotinghealth and wellbeing in the workplace.

The award recognises the college’s commitment to providing its staff with a healthier place to work at all its centres across Caerphilly County Borough.

Delivered by Public Health Wales, the scheme encourages organisations to introduce policies and practices which will benefit staff physically, mentally and emotionally.

In order to achieve the accreditation, the college was subject to an intensive assessment which looked at its policies, communication and health and safety.

At The College Ystrad Mynach, healthy schemes which helped the team to secure their award include holding pedometer challenges for staff, a lunchtime walking group and the introduction of cycle to work and car sharing initiatives.

Healthy eating was also a central part of the College’s wellbeing drive, with healthier options introduced to the refectory menu, nutritional advice made available on the intranet and a ‘Fruity Friday’ event held in conjunction with Cancer Research.

Anthony Matthews, the College’s human resources project manager, said work towards the award began 18 months ago when a steering committee was set up.

Under his chairmanship, the committee, whose members included lecturers and business support staff, met on a regular basis to come up with ideas and policies for a portfolio which was scrutinised by an independent assessor.

Mr Matthews said the College, which has centres in Ystrad Mynach, Rhymney, Bargoed, Blackwood, Aber Valley, Caerphilly and Tredomen, previously had a number of healthy schemes running for their staff, but working towards the Corporate Health Standard helped to put them into focus.

“Striving for the Corporate Health Standard gave us a framework to promote healthier living in the college. We had lots of ideas from staff who showed a real enthusiasm and we kept our 550-strong workforce informed of all of the new initiatives we introduced on the college’s intranet.

“Promoting healthy living to staff benefits everyone, as it improves quality of life for employees and we also benefit from reduced absenteeism.

”College Principal Bryn Davies said: “The health of our workforce is extremely important to us. Having a healthy and happy workforce is vital for a thriving educational establishment, and has obvious benefits for our students.

“This award is testament to our commitment to healthy living and the hard work of our staff who have really bought into everything we are trying to achieve.

”The College is not resting on its laurels and is already planning to bypass the silver award and go for the gold standard in January 2012.

The College plans £20m leisure and teaching centre for students and community

Marketing — Mon, 14 November 2011 10:41:00

The College Ystrad Mynach has unveiled plans to build a brand new £20m leisure and teaching centre for both students and the local community.

The state-of-the-art centre will provide a huge range of leisure and teaching facilities including a full-sized sports hall, an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, a learner pool, a gymnasium, beauty spa and café.

The upper floors of the centre at the top of the college site off Twyn Road will house teaching and learning spaces for the college, including art and photography studios.

In the centre’s atrium, an aeroplane fuselage will be suspended from the roof which will be used by air cabin crew students, and accessed from the upper floor.

It is hoped the centre will be open in time for the college’s September intake in 2013.

The development is still in its early stages and an open day is being held at the college on Wednesday, November 23, from 2pm to 7pm, when residents can look at the plans, see what facilities are being proposed and ask questions about the leisure centre.

Paul Martin, the College Deputy Principal responsible for planning and finance, said the centre would be of benefit to both students and people living nearby.

“We are looking to accommodate everyone. In the day, the pool will be open for local schools to use for their lessons and then in the evening, the majority of the sports facilities will be available for the public,” said Mr Martin.

The new modern sports facilities will replace the College’s out-of-date gymnasium.

Mr Martin added: “Our sports programmes at the college have been growing for a number of years and the facilities we have for the students are simply out of date. And we also have inadequate facilities for our art and photography students so they will all be upgraded as part of this exciting development.”

College Principal Bryn Davies said: “This new leisure centre will be a fabulous addition to the resources on offer at the College. It will not only benefit our students but also the wider community who will be able to use the state-of-the-art facilities.”

Some of the funding for the ambitious scheme will come from the College and it is hoped further contributions will be secured from the Welsh Government, in addition to grants from Europe and the Sports Lottery.

The college hopes to put in an application for planning permission to Caerphilly County Borough Council in December.

Designed by Bristol architects AWW, the proposed new leisure centre will replace the old S block which is currently used for general education studies.

While the new centre is being built, those studies will be housed in temporary accommodation and then brought in to the main college building.

Student from The College Ystrad Mynach bids for Apprentice of the Year award

Marketing — Fri, 04 November 2011 10:39:00

A hard-working student from The College Ystrad Mynach is in the running to become Apprentice of the Year in a Wales-wide award scheme.

Rhys West, 20, from Penpedairheol, is a finalist in the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru which celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers and learning providers.

The awards, which are split into eight different categories, are organised by the Welsh Government together with the National Training Federation Wales.

Rhys has been invited to an awards ceremony at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House on November 16 where he will find out if he has won the top prize in the Apprentice of the Year category.

After gaining a handful of low-grade GCSEs at Lewis School in Pengam in 2007, Rhys decided to give plumbing a go and began a four-year apprenticeship with Brecongate Projects Ltd in Treforest. While gaining hands-on experience four days a week with the firm, Rhys was also in the classroom once a week.

For the last two years, he has been studying under the expert tutors at The College Ystrad Mynach and has successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 in mechanical engineering (plumbing).

Rhys has also added to his skills with gas and electrical qualifications by going to evening classes at the college. He said the apprenticeship not only helped him to learn a host of practical skills but also boosted his confidence.

He said: “The apprenticeship has given me the inspiration and confidence to continue to gain new skills to further develop my career. My self confidence has been boosted having to deal with so many varied situations over the past four years. I also learned a lot about myself and my capabilities.

”When he first started at Brecongate, he was doing small tasks under supervision but very quickly found himself being given a lot more responsibility and, by the end of the second year, was regularly working on his own.

Rhys, who enjoys going to the gym in his spare time, said: “Training with the college and the support of the tutors and the engineers at Brecongate has been absolutely priceless.”As well as setting him on the road to success, Rhys’ hard work has had other benefits.

He has inspired his father Paul to re-train as a mechanical engineer at The College Ystrad Mynach after 30 years as a full time welder/fabricator.Paul has also been taken on by Brecongate and father and son often work as a team together.

College Principal Bryn Davies said: “Rhys is a shining example of what hard work and determination can achieve. He has worked extremely hard during his apprenticeship and we wish him all the best for the awards and in his future career.”

Achievement rewarded at The College Ystrad Mynach Annual Awards"

Marketing — Mon, 31 October 2011 10:36:00

Learners have been rewarded for their achievements in the college classroom.

The College Ystrad Mynach held its annual awards presentation evening at Caerphilly Castle where 60 learners were honoured for their hard work over the last 12 months.

Students were presented with awards in a number of different areas including care, technology, carpentry, plumbing, sport and hairdressing.

Anna Gordine, 22 from Bedwas, won the College Basic Skills Award. Anna had been in a special needs class in school, with little opportunity for academic work. Both Anna and her family fought for her to participate in mainstream secondary education and she was finally allowed to take three GCSEs, but not English or Mathematics.

After leaving school, Anna set out to gain the qualifications and learning experience she felt she had been denied, attending a basic skills class in 2008 to enable her access a Child Care course at The College Ystrad Mynach.

She was accepted onto the course and enjoyed a rewarding year, passing all of her exams.

Her tutor Tina Huish said: “Anna is an inspiration. By looking to the future and taking control of her life she has been able to progress in her career, gain independence and has also been able to benefit from the joy of learning.”

Anna is currently studying towards her Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning & Development and also continues to study basic skills at the college.

Anna, whose parents Kerry and Douglas were there to cheer her on at the ceremony, said: “I really didn’t think I had won. I was really, really chuffed though and it’s nice that my hard work has been recognised.”

She works part time at the nursery at Ty’n-Y-Wern Primary School in Trethomas where she is able to put her child care skills to great use. She also has a Saturday job at John Lewis in Cardiff.Anna, who has a twin brother Christian and an older sister Natalie, hopes to become a teaching assistant when she completes her studies.

Conna Johnson, 19, from Trethomas, was presented with the CACHE Level 2 Full Time Care Award. He was the only male in a group of 19.

His tutor Angela Jones said: “Conna has consistently achieved a high standard in placement and course work and always gives his all to his work. A day never passed without Conna making people feel good with his continuous smiling face.”

The awards were presented by Jeff Cuthbert, AM for Caerphilly, who was also governor of the college until May this year.As the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Skills, he is responsible for identifying the skills needs of employers, learners and learning providers across Wales.

Mr Cuthbert told the students and their proud families and friends: “All of you here are shining examples of where combined action has achieved a common goal. We have scores of awards being celebrated and every one is very well deserved.“Only by working together will we do our best to tackle the Welsh economy’s short-term challenges head-on, but also plan for the current recovery and the future by building our long-term skills base. All of the learners here tonight will be at the heart of that journey.”

College Principal Bryn Davies said the last year had been a very busy and very successful one for the college, with students and staff working tremendously hard to achieve their goals.And he said how hugely proud he was of the award winners.

“Congratulations to you all. Each and every one of you should be proud of yourselves, for everything you have achieved over the last year,” he added.

Catering at the ceremony on Tuesday, October 18, was provided by the College’s school of catering and hospitality and the evening ended with a performance by Caerphilly Male Voice Choir.Prize sponsors included Caerphilly Rotary Club, Amazing Glazing, Beauty Express, BIIAB, Caerphilly Social Club, CR, Dry Wall Systems, Howells Coaches, Keith’s Fruit and Veg, Latham Properties, Mainline Travel, Morgan Cole, OCR, Rabart Decorators Merchants, Cottage Loaf Bakery, Thomas Morgan and Associates, UWIC and USL Audio Visual.

Hairdressing students show they are a cut above the rest

Marketing — Fri, 30 September 2011 10:31:00

Thirty hairdressing students from The College Ystrad Mynach are heading to London next week to show off their talents to the world.

The NVQ level 3 hairdressing students are appearing at WorldSkills London 2011, the world's largest international skills showcase.

The students were invited to take part in the event at the ExCel exhibition centre after impressing the organisers with a fund-raising show they did for teenage cancer at the college in Ystrad Mynach in April.

Salon manager and lecturer Dave Bassett explained:

“The organisers put out a call for people to put on a display of t heir skills. We did a show here in April, where we showed the organisers what our talented hairdressing students are capable of, and we were delighted when they chose us to go to London.”

The hairdressing students will spend next Friday morning (October 7) creating their designs on stage at the venue in London’s Royal Docks. They will then have half an hour on the catwalk later in the day to show them off.

Mr Bassett added: “It is an excellent advert for their work and brilliant for the students to be able to put something like this on their CVs.”

The themes the hairdressers have chosen come from the Welsh Assembly’s Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship programme which encourages students to think about links between society, economy and the environment and between their lives and those of people throughout the world.

One of the young hairdressers taking part is 18-year-old Emma Hardcastle, from Blackwood.

Emma, a former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School pupil who is now in her third year at the college, has only had three weeks to prepare for the show.

“I was a model at the show we did in April but when someone dropped out of the London show three weeks ago, I was asked to do the actual styling,” said full-time student Emma, who will be using Sabrina Dimampro to model her striking hairstyle.

Emma’s style is called “tornado” and is based on the theme of climate change. It involves pinning a wig around a polystyrene cone which is then attached to Sabrina’s head to form the body of the “tornado.”

A wispy cloud will be placed on top of the tornado to create a show-stopping visual effect at the event, which has been created from real hair Emma and her fellow students collected after a practical session in the college salon.

Emma, who hopes to go into hairdressing full time when she completes college, said: “I am really excited about taking part in the event as it’s going to be such a great experience for me and I’ll be able to learn a lot from the other hairdressers and their work.”

The WorldSkills event is held in different countries every other year and around 150,000 visitors are expected to visit the London showcase where 1,000 competitors from more than 50 countries will be demonstrating 46 different skills from hairdressing to bricklaying over four days from October 5 to 8.

The College Ystrad Mynach has centres in Ystrad Mynach, Rhymney, Bargoed, Blackwood, Aber Valley, Caerphilly and Tredomen.

The stars are looking down on Wales

Marketing — Fri, 16 September 2011 10:28:00

Do you want to know about the planets and constellations? Do you want to know more about the night sky? Do you want to learn how to use a telescope? If so, an innovative astronomy course offered by UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) may be just what you are looking for!

The course is delivered by the University of Glamorgan and aims to introduce anyone with an interest in the night sky to the wonders of the universe, no matter how great or how little their experience. Through a combination of practical observations and discussions, students will learn the constellations, observe the moon, sun and planets and will learn how to take photos of the night sky, use telescopes and binoculars and view the night sky at arranged sessions in addition to using the Faulkes telescopes in Hawaii and Australia.

The course includes such themes as constellatons, myths and magic: astrophotography; finding your way around the sky; coloured stars and star clusters; galaxies and how to find them and many more.

University of Glamorgan astronomer Martin Griffiths states: 'This course is a unique opportunity for anyone to get to know a little more of our fantastic universe and to enjoy the heritage of the night sky.'

The course will run weeky at The College Rhymney, Whitbread Centre, Rhymney walk, Rhymney, NP22 5XE on Fridays 2-4pm from 7th October 2011.

Students living or working in Blaenau Gwent, caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf or Torfaen may qualify for the UHOVI Bursary Scheme, meaning this course would be free.

If you wish to enrol on this exciting course, or require further details, then please contact: Martin Griffiths on 01443 483329, email mgriffi8@glam.ac.uk or call UHOVI on 0800 1223 220 email enquiries@uhovi.ac.uk

Learndirect hits 50k courses at Ystrad Mynach

Marketing — Tue, 09 August 2011 10:25:00

The College Ystrad Mynach has reached a new landmark, being the first College in Wales to enrol onto its 50,000^th Learndirect course.

Learndirect was set up in 2000 to provide e-learning opportunities online. Now a pivotal part of the college curriculum, Learndirect is used to support college learners courses, in the community and to local business who appreciate the flexibility of the provision.

Jeff Greenidge, Head of UFI Cymru said of The College’s achievement ‘The College has an extensive track record of ensuring that it reaches into the very depths of the local community and beyond. Reaching its 50,000^th course through Learndirect is a tremendous feat and is the first college in Wales to achieve this’.

Stephanie Price, a generalist advisor at Caerphilly Citizens Advice Bureau was the learner who enrolled on the 50,000^th course. Stephanie enrolled on the ECDL in March 2011 through the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and she feels that the course is very useful in terms of using various computer programs properly. “I would definitely do another learndirect course, the flexibility of when you choose to do topics is excellent, it fits with my personal lifestyle perfectly.”

Bryn Davies, Principal of The College and a supporter of Learndirect since it was launched in 2001, said “staff at the College have embraced the flexibility of Learndirect for the benefit of our learners. Learndirect has become an integral part of our curriculum and has been used to help enrich full time learners knowledge of a subject and has also given learners in the community with family and work commitments the opportunity to learn around their commitments.”

Hengoed girl sets sail for US Navy

Marketing — Mon, 18 July 2011 10:18:00

A past learner from The College Ystrad Mynach has been accepted into the US Navy Nuclear Power Propulsion Programme within 2 years of completing her AS Levels!

Stephanie Greig from Hengoed enrolled on AS Levels in Law, English, Maths, Biology and Chemistry at The College after completing her GCSEs at Lewis Girls School. A great profile of grades in these subjects were enough to gain Stephanie admission to the US Navy. In her assessment for the Navy Stephanie achieved a spectacular 90% for her to be accepted for the Nuclear Power Programme.

After being accepted Stephanie spent 8 weeks at the Great Lakes US Navy training facility in Illinois before transferring to Charleston to undertake 18 months of training in Nuclear power. Out of the class of 600, Stephanie graduated 100th in her class as a Petty Officer this June and will now put her extensive training into practice learning and operating on a live nuclear reactor in either New York or South Carolina. The next step will see Stephanie joining a nuclear aircraft carrier in the pacific, as one of only a few women, that will ensure the Nuclear Propulsion Systems aboard are kept running and safe.

Alison Roberts, Head of School for General Education said of Stephanie; ‘Steph is a conscientious, likeable young woman. At the time we thought she was mad to choose not to complete her A Levels but to leave at the end of AS year so that she could join the US Navy. It was certainly an unusual decision for one of our learners, although we never had any doubt that Stephanie would achieve anything she set her mind to. How wonderful to see her recent success and we wish her many more in the future’.

Ystrad Mynach Learners Care for Lesotho

Marketing — Fri, 01 April 2011 09:39:00

Care learners are taking their studies International this week, travelling to Lesotho to experience teaching and learning in the country.

The group of 11 learners and 3 lecturers will travel to Lesotho spending two weeks visiting primary schools, nurseries, reception classes and running after school play activities for the children. The group will observe teaching practice of the Lesotho teachers whilst gaining an understanding of the cultural differences between the two countries and the challenges facing teachers in Lesotho. They will also spend time with the Ministry of Education visiting pre-school projects. The findings of their trip will form a valuable part of the courses they are following back at Ystrad Mynach giving an extra dimension to their studies.

Over £2000 has been raised by the learners since September to help make and buy toys and games for the schools and children they will be visiting. Learners have taken part in ironing challenges, sponsored walks, selling recipe books containing Basothan meals, collecting 5p pieces and numerous raffles and naming competitions. Also, college staff, learners and family and the parish of Penarth have knitted over 100 teddy bears that will travel with the learners as gifts for the children.

Learners have also developed a range of educational toys for the school children that will help develop their English Languages skills, learning English as a second language.

Tasha Jones, 18 and Kate Morgan, 17 spoke excitedly about the impending trip. “We would never be able to experience something like this without this opportunity the college has given us’ said Tasha, ‘Not only will we be seeing what education is like on the other side of the world but also we’ll be going on safari!’ Kate added ‘The difference in the environments will be vastly different to what we are used to in Wales, already we can see the advantages that we as future childcare staff and welsh children benefit from and I hope that I will learn lots that I will be able to take with me into my future career’.

The College has a strong link with Lesotho. Head of School for Care, Lesley Cox has made regular trips to the country since 2002, initially through the Parish of All Saints, Penarth and more recently the British Council. Lesotho does have a formal link with Wales and return trips have also happened with teachers and ministry staff from Lesotho visiting The College.

Lesotho is a landlocked country, entirely surrounded by South Africa. Currently education is not compulsory, although the Government of Lesotho is currently implementing a programme of free primary education. An estimated 85% of the population aged 15 and over are literate. AIDS also constitutes an alarming threat in Lesotho, where nearly a quarter of the adult population is estimated to be HIV positive – the third highest HIV prevalence in the world. A whole generation is being affected with many parents losing their lives to HIV leaving children orphaned at a very young age.

Paint Brushes at the Ready as Dulux Decorator Centres Searches for its 'Apprentice of the Year'

Marketing — Wed, 23 March 2011 09:35:00

It’s that time of year again. Dulux Decorator Centres is calling all apprentices to come forward with their overalls and artistic flair, as the much anticipated, national Apprentice of the Year 2011 competition launches and heads to The College Ystrad Mynach on 29^th March.

The hugely successful competition, which is now in its fourth year, will see Dulux Decorator Centres search high and low across the UK for the most talented painters and decorators of the future.

The competition, which will comprise of nine heats around the UK, will test the skills and creativity of apprentices, to see who can paint their way to victory and be in with a chance of winning a place in the grand final which takes place at Bridgend College on 9^th June 2011.

The Dulux Decorator Centres’ Apprentice of the Year 2011 competition is open to all apprentices between the ages of 17 and 24 years, who are on a recognised painting and decorating course, studying an NVQ or SVQ level two or three, alongside working in the industry.

Jason Stokes assistant store manager of the Cardiff Dulux Decorator Centre on Colchester Avenue, commented: “Dulux Decorator Centres’ is committed to supporting colleges and painters and decorators, and the Apprentice of the Year competition is going to be bigger and better in 2011. The accolade that comes with winning this prize is fantastic and it is a highly respected reward across the painting and decorating industry.

“It is a great chance for colleges to put forward their best apprentices and to receive recognition for the high standard of skilled teaching on offer to aspiring young talent. The prizes on offer also reflect the prestige this competition holds and will go some way to help start the winner’s career.”

The competition aims to cover elements of painting and decorating, and each student will be tasked with a series of applications. Wallpapering, stencilling, waterborne glosses, and special effects, will all be included in the practical heats and the overall winner will be selected for showcasing skills across the board.

The winner of the Ystrad Mynach College heat will go on to compete against eight other regional winners in the national final, which will take place at Bridgend College on 9^th June, where the overall winner will be presented with the title of ‘Dulux Decorator Centres’ Apprentice of the Year 2011’ at an awards ceremony.

The winner will receive £1,000 cash and a variety of other prizes, including £200 worth of Dulux Decorator Centres’ branded work wear, a Red Letter Day, Nectar points, Dulux training and a host of prizes for their college for all painting and decorating students to use. There will also be runners up prizes of £500 and £250, plus £100 worth of Dulux Decorator Centres’ vouchers each, for those finishing in overall second and third place. Individual regional heat winners will win £100 each, a certificate and a Dulux Decorator Centre goody bag packed with fantastic products donated by the company’s suppliers.

Peter Doyle, technical training consultant at Dulux Decorator Centres, comments: “We are always on the lookout for exceptional talent in the painting and decorating industry and this year we are once again searching for our apprentice of the year. The recognition that comes with winning this competition can really help to start a career for any up and coming painter and decorator, and the prize on offer is a great reason to enter.”

For further information visit www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk or for regular updates join the Facebook group - Dulux Decorator Centres or follow on Twitter at DuluxDecCentre.