Learners from across the college attended an inspirational talk from Cymoedd Alumnus Lee Williams.

Lee, 27 from the Rhondda attended the former Coleg Morgannwg and has always been keen to share his experience with current learners at the college, now Coleg y Cymoedd.

His career path was set out from an early age, with his talent for taking things apart, but not always being able to put them back together.

Lee enjoyed electronics at school and looking to further his interest in the subject, progressed on to the National Award in Avionic Engineering at the Nantgarw campus.

Equipped with the qualification and the ambition Lee joined the RAF as an engineer. During the six years that he has served as an airman he has gained further engineering qualifications and experiences ‘that have changed his life’.

Lee ended his presentation thanking his tutors who had inspired him and supported his learning journey – enrolling at the college was a crucial stepping stone in his trade training.

Coleg y Cymoedd is delighted to record the success of one of its support services at the college, with Abbieleigh Daniels being the first employment outcome for ‘Futures’ Employment Bureau.

 ‘Futures’ was set up to support learners at the college and help prepare them for employment in their chosen sector. The team also work with employers offering them the opportunity of sharing their skills to learners interested in their particular industry.

Earlier this year the two aspects of the service led to a successful result when learner Abbieleigh Daniels applied for a vacancy as an Assistant Chef with Chartwells at the Nantgarw campus.

Twenty year old Abbieleigh from Trealaw, Rhondda was studying on the Level 3 Food and Beverage Supervision course at the college when she contacted the ‘Futures’ team for help with her CV.

Mark Cox, Contracts Manager for Chartwell’s Group at Coleg y Cymoedd said, “Chartwells are delighted to offer employment to a Cymoedd learner, helping them on their career path.

When a vacancy arose for an Assistant Chef at the Nantgarw campus, I contacted the Futures team and they introduced to Abbieleigh.

Abbieleigh completed a work trial as part of the selection process, the feedback was very good and three weeks later, we were able to offer her the position. I hope she is happy working for Chartwells and we can support Abbieleigh’s career aspirations with progression opportunities that could become available through Compass Group”.

Abbieleigh said “I would like to say a massive thank you to the Futures @Cymoedd team for providing me with support, which has enabled me to secure my first ever job. During one of my meetings with the team, I had mentioned that I would like to work within Hospitality, in a front of house role organising and managing events, when the vacancy arose they contacted me to see if I would be interested.

I am enjoying my new role and will be forever grateful for their help. I have studied at Coleg y Cymoedd for 3 years and it’s great to be working at the Nantgarw campus, it feels like I never left the college”!

Congratulating Abbieleigh, Michelle Harris Cocker of the Futures Team said” We are so proud of how well Abbieleigh has settled into her role, her commitment is immense; she travels from her home each day to arrive for work by 7:30 a.m.

She is a real inspiration such an enthusiastic young woman; it has been a real pleasure to support her. Abbieleigh is proof that with the right support, you can fulfil your potential.

Abbieleigh is the first employment outcome for ‘Futures’ Futures@Cymoedd and we will continue to support her whilst in employment, providing support and access to work based learning to assist her career progression.

I would urge all our learners who are thinking about their careers and next steps to finding employment to consider contacting the Futures Team to access the free support available”.

Two Cardiff based companies have struck gold at the regional heats of a major national manufacturing awards programme organised by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation.

The awards which recognise excellence among manufacturing companies in six categories, as well as two Apprentice categories, were presented at the Wales annual dinner of Make UK which was sponsored by Japanese IT solutions provider Hulft and Sony TEC.

Celsa Manufacturing UK was crowned regional winner in the Sustainability category with St. Mellons based Olympus, a medical manufacturer winning the Developing Future Talent award.

Celsa, the largest steel recycling company and producer of reinforced steel in the UK and who employ over 800 people in South Wales now go on to represent the region in the UK wide awards next month. Commenting on CELSA, the sustainability award winners, judges said “We were impressed with the commendable objectives the organisation have set. Judges said “Taking practical actions across the business is the dominant approach taken to date, which is seen to involve everyone and hopes to engage their competence and subject knowledge to enthuse future co-operative activity.”

Olympus, the winners in the Developing Future Talent award were chosen for specific praise by the judges who said “Olympus have demonstrated a clear goal driven purpose for in house capabilities for automation. By focusing on the skill development of existing employees they achieved both technical as well as operational impacts. Overall the advances in capability and competencies were excellent.”

Max Rochefort-Shugar, aged 22 from Sony UK TEC won the Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Rising Star Award at the Wales-wide category. Max, who has been working at Sony UK TEC for three years, is the first candidate to take part in the company’s recently established Software and Electronic Apprenticeship. Judges said “Max’s work in the growth of a brand new department that is at the forefront of new technologies is fantastic. He has helped with new ideas being introduced throughout the company using various computer languages and electronics”. Also recognised at the awards was Kiran Alias, a first year Coleg y Cymoedd apprentice from British Airways Maintenance team who was runner up in the Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Rising Star category.

Gerald Kelly, Director of Professional Services at Sony UK TEC, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Make UK Wales dinner particularly with the Apprentice Awards celebrating their 70th Anniversary in Wales. Apprentices play a huge role in our industry and we are proud to recognise the next generation who will drive forward our sector towards a bright future. We would like to congratulate all of the winners for their well-deserved achievements and dedication to the profession.”

Commenting Russell Kirby, Senior Director, Business Development EMEA, at Hulft the sponsor of the dinner said.

“Britain is one of the world’s biggest manufacturing nations, and it is a great privilege to be working with Make UK to help support and champion UK manufacturing. The sector is facing significant change, as a result of what is being referred to as the 4th industrial revolution, and it is important that businesses are given the right opportunities to properly position themselves for the future. We are looking forward to getting out to meet Make UK’s members and being part of such an important and credible awards programme.”

All the winners will now go forward to the national finals to be judged in London in December.