Coleg y Cymoedd has achieved record-breaking success at this year’s World Skills UK awards, bringing home seven medals – the highest the college has ever attained at the competition.

A partnership between employers, education providers and governments, World Skills UK is an independent charity that supports young people across the country to develop and showcase their skills via competitions-based training, assessment, and benchmarking.

The variety of competitions available champion the talents of learners in a range of fields, with entrants also having the opportunity to apply to represent the UK at the global World Skills ‘skills Olympics’ where they will compete against national teams from over 80 countries around the world.

This year’s awards saw 13 Coleg y Cymoedd learners compete in the nationwide competition with more than half securing medals.

Matthew Watts, Enterprise, Skills and Employability Coordinator at Coleg y Cymoedd said: “World Skills UK is an exciting opportunity for our learners to enhance their skills and become more employable. A lot of work and extra training is put into preparing for the awards by both the tutors and learners which is reflected by the brilliant success we achieved at this year’s competition.

“Each learner that has been involved in the competition has shown a dedication to their field, excellence in their work and a determined attitude to excel within each of the stages of the competition. The results speak for themselves.”

This year, two Coleg y Cymoedd learners, Ruben Duggan and Cole Peters, brought home gold medals at the awards in the plumbing and Network System Administrator communication technology categories respectively. Four silver medals were won by Lewis Hart in communication technology as well as by GE Aviation apprentices, Megan Christie, Pawel Abramowicz and Jamie Williams who were each awarded in the Manufacturing Team Challenge Aviation category.

 A further bronze medal for Network System Administrator communication technology went to Coleg y Cymoedd learner Zack Morris, while Caerdav apprentice and Coleg y Cymoedd learner Kaleb Szymanski received a highly commended award in the  Aircraft Maintenance competition.

 The World Skills competitions, which run at regional, UK wide and international levels, are an opportunity for learners to finesse their skills and training in their chosen field, access great higher education opportunities, and increase their employability.Each skills competition is judged by an expert panel within the industry through a range of practical and scenario-based tasks, with the best performing participants progressing in the competition.

Coleg y Cymoedd has worked with industry partners such as GE Aviation and Caerdav to provide the essential additional training and practical experience needed for learners to excel throughout each stage of the competition.

Matthew added: “Alongside the dedication of our learners and tutors, we’re also grateful to our industry partners who have given up their time and facilities to support learners’ training. It’s been a group effort by all, and it’s great to see that effort rewarded.

“We’re continually working on ways to improve learners’ industry and enterprise skills – it’s something we’re always developing and aiming to embed throughout curriculum areas at Coleg y Cymoedd. We’re looking forward to congratulating the learners who took part in the World Skills UK competition in the new year, alongside announcing the new international squad for 2023.”

A group of Coleg y Cymoedd staff recently helped save a key element of one of the UK’s most famous road running races, Nos Galan.

The Nos Galan road race committee approached Coleg y Cymoedd to assist in the urgent repair of the torch used at the event after it received significant water damage during flooding in 2019 (prior to COVID-19).

The innovative brains of Engineering, Construction and Creative staff at Coleg y Cymoedd worked extensively over several months to restore the torch to it’s original glory and fit for use.

David Howells, Head of School Engineering said “The team have done a superb job in restoring the torch.  It was in a really bad way when we received it, not working and arrived in multiple parts.  After some planning, the team have developed a brand new torch containing 3D printed parts, an ignition key, branded RCT logo and a wooden storage box for use for many years to come”

Ann Crimmings Chair of the Nos Galan Committee said “A huge thanks to Coleg y Cymoedd for their assistance and saving one of the main elements of the event”

Nos Galan, is one of the UK’s most famous road races, attracting on average nearly 1000 entrants each year from all of the UK. Founded in 1958,at it’s height  it even attracted live BBC coverage as part of it’s new year’s eve celebrations.

Each year, a mystery runner runs the 5k route with a torch (now restored) which takes in the streets of Mountain Ash.

Although Wales’ journey in the World Cup championship has come to an end, the whole of Wales has enjoyed the team’s successes and enjoyed seeing their country compete on an international stage for the first time since 1958. All over Wales, there were countless celebrations during the team’s time in the championship, and Coleg y Cymoedd was certainly a part it. This was a unique opportunity for learners and staff of the college to celebrate their Welshness and be proud of their country’s achievements.

There were incredible efforts on each campus to celebrate during the week and the community area of ​​each campus was turned into a Fan Zone.

On the Aberdare Campus, there were many different activities to celebrate the World Cup and to celebrate Wales. The Welsh DJ Roughion came to the campus to play a Welsh set for students during their lunchtime on Wednesday, with a wide variety of music, from dance to pop. The students also had the opportunity to take part in a Welsh arts and crafts activity, a World Cup quiz and a special “Pin the bun on Bale” game.

On the Nantgarw Campus, there was a long list of activities throughout the week. There were live acoustic sets in Welsh; a folk dancing workshop; mocktails and Welsh food prepared and served by the students of the Catering Department; a VR soccer competition; a Welsh graffiti workshop and a prestigious ‘Keepie-uppie’ competition between the principals of the College and the students!

At the Rhondda Campus, there were fun competitions throughout the week such as ‘guess the name of the dragon’ and a sweep stake. Red white and green cakes were available to buy and students and staff joined in the fun.

At the Ystrad Mynach Campus, there was a selfie booth for everyone to take a picture with Gareth Bale and other famous faces from the Welsh football team, and a ‘sweep stake’ competition.

It was also an opportunity to strengthen external partnerships with organisations that promote the Welsh language locally. There were sporting activities with the Urdd on the Nantgarw Campus and the College took part in the ‘Gorau Canu Cydganu’ project with Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf. With the special booklet published by the mentrau iaith, Rhys Ruggiero, Facilitator of the Welsh Language for Sport and Public Services, held ‘Codi Canu’ workshops with the students of the Sports Department in order to learn the words to ‘Yma O Hyd’ – the Welsh football s infamous anthem. That meant they were all ready to cheer and sing before the big game!

The culmination of all the week’s celebrations was the Wales match against Iran on Friday 25 November. Everyone on every campus was encouraged to wear red for Wales and to watch the game live. Half time everyone had the opportunity to enjoy hot dogs, pizzas, burgers in order to keep up their energy levels!

With staff and students coming together over the week there was a real feeling of pride for our little country with everyone working together to celebrate Wales. Lois Roberts, Coleg y Cymoedd’s Welsh Language Manager, said, “It’s been amazing! The atmosphere on each campus has been electric. The College is always thinking of new ways to celebrate our proud heritage and this was a golden opportunity to celebrate who we are, where we come from and where we are going. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to organize the countless events; the staff an learners on all campuses have been amazing.”

Coleg y Cymoedd are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our community sends sincere condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family.

This week, in line with official guidance for education, all teaching and learning will continue as usual, providing all students with the most supportive and welcoming start to their academic year.

We will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022, as a Bank Holiday, to mark the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

We are delighted to announce that we are the first FE college in Wales to have achieved the Talented Athlete Scholars Scheme (TASS) Dual Career Accreditation.

This scheme reflects the commitment to ensure that student athletes achieve academic and sporting aspirations without comprising either.

Available to current and incoming learners who perform in any sport, at county, regional, academy, national or international level.

The scheme will provide:-

• Academic adaptability and flexibility, 
• Access to a leading qualified and experienced personal development in sport practitioner
• 1-1 lifestyle and personal development, well-being and welfare support, transition guidance and advice
• Progression planning
• Access to facilities and support staff as well as referral where necessary
• Link building with other local sporting institutions.

For further information about this scheme, contact Alun Davies, Dual Career Coordinator on Alun.davies2@cymoedd.ac.uk

Check out our Success Page for Results Week 2022

After two years of learners receiving their grades at home, Coleg y Cymoedd has welcomed back the return of results day on campus with a bang, rolling out the red carpet for hundreds of learners to arrive on site to celebrate their achievements with classmates and tutors.

The college, which serves learners across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly, has reported high grades across both its academic and vocational courses, with its Nantgarw-based A-level Centre achieving a 99.6% per cent overall pass rate for 2022. There was a 100% pass rate in 20 out of 22 subjects including all STEM subjects, English, History and Geography.

The number of learners achieving A*-C grades is up 28% compared to 2019 – the last time results were based on external exams rather than centre determined grades, as they were during the pandemic. The number of learners attaining the top A* and A grades at A2 has also increased by 22%.

The college has also seen an impressive performance from its vocational learners with over 1,200 learners completing qualifications. While full vocational results have not yet been confirmed, initial indications are that Coleg y Cymoedd will match its usual high levels of attainment for vocational provisions, based on the preliminary results received at the time of writing. 

Success stories from results day include 18-year-old Brooke Pothecary, from Porth, who achieved an impressive three A* grades in English, Drama and Religious Studies alongside an A in the Welsh Baccalaureate, securing her place to study Italian and Japanese at Cardiff University. The A* learner, who is passionate about exploring new places, has developed a love of languages during her travels over the years and dreams of becoming an Italian language teacher in Australia, where Italian speaking staff are in demand.

Brooke said: “I’m really passionate about languages because I travel quite a lot and know people struggle with the English language. It’s widely expected that everyone knows it globally but that is not always the case, so I try to learn some of the local language whenever I visit somewhere.

“The course at Cardiff University offers me the option to learn more than one language at degree level, and I’m really keen to learn as many as I can, so today’s results might be the first step towards the life of travel I’ve dreamed of.”

Also securing top marks today is history buff, Sam Wiener, 18, from Cardiff, who is set to study history at Warwick – ranked one of the top 10 universities in the UK to study the subject according to the 2022 Times Higher Education tables – after landing 3A*s and a B in his History, English literature, Drama and Psychology A levels.

Sam said: “I’m not sure what I’ll do career wise after university, but I think that’s okay. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to know exactly what you want to do and to have your career planned out early, but that’s not always realistic. I’m looking forward to studying and developing my knowledge in something I’m truly passionate about.  The rest I can figure out along the way – I find that really exciting.”

Flying the flag for Cymoedd’s vocational learners is Maia Thomas, 19, from Methyr Tydfill, who is heading to the prestigious Italia Conti Academy to complete a Cert HE in musical theatre performance after securing a distinction* in her Level 3 in performing arts.

Maia, who has been passionate about performing from a young age, hopes that the one year-full time course, which provides singing, dancing and acting training, will be the first step towards a professional career as a performer within the industry. After completing the certificate, she aims to go on to study a degree at the academy.

Maia said: “I have been performing since I was four and have always known that theatre was something I wanted to pursue a career in. The whole industry inspires me and, after doing my GCSE in drama, I knew I wanted to continue my education in performance.

“I’m really excited to head to Italia Conti, which I chose as it is known for nurturing each person, giving them the space to improve themselves. This is something that is important to me as it will let me stay true to myself while learning there.”

Also celebrating today is Megan James, 18, from Treharris, who is similarly on the path to an exciting career in theatre and film after becoming the first Coleg y Cymoedd learner to get a place at the London College of Fashion. After bagging a distinction in her Hair, Makeup, and Special Effects Extended Diploma, Megan has secured a spot to study Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics for Performance at the world-renowned fashion college, whose alumni includes famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo.  

Looking ahead, Megan’s dream is to work on the costume design for period shows and West end stage productions. She said: “Although I would love to work in all parts of the industry and wouldn’t want to limit myself at this stage, I’ve really enjoyed wig making and dressing over the last year, which is another reason why I chose to study in London as I’d love to work on wigs in the big performances on the West End”.

Coleg y Cymoedd has joined over 30 organisations in Wales that are engaging with Age at Work, a partnership with Business in the Community Cymru (BITC). The partnership supports employers to put practices in place that create age-inclusive, multigenerational workplaces that pro-actively support people over 50 to remain in or return to work.

Wales’ workforce is getting older with one in three workers aged over 50, so recruiting, retaining and retraining people over 50 is essential for business and the wider economy. Coleg y Cymoedd is working with Business in the Community and Age Cymru to take action now that prevents employee early exit from the workplace, to support later-life working, and to value older workers as part of a diverse, inclusive and dynamic workplace.

Through Age at Work, employers have access to a range of free toolkits, networks, and support to help inform the action they take to create a workplace that is better for mature employees and will benefit employees of all ages.

Jill Salter, Age at Work Programme Manager, BITC said, “We’re all living longer, which means the majority of us will be working for longer too and, with an ageing demographic across Wales and the UK, employers need to prepare for this and make the most of the experience and expertise of older employees.

“Age at Work” helps businesses to understand the business and social benefits of recruiting, retraining and retaining individuals aged 50+.

Mature workers are skilled and bring experience, knowledge and a different perspective to the workplace. Businesses like Coleg y Cymoedd have recognised that it’s crucial to continue to invest in the development of staff over 50, and ensure recruitment practices don’t alienate this cohort, provide training opportunities and, in some circumstances, make reasonable adjustments to support older staff with caring responsibilities and health issues, so that they can retain knowledgeable, valuable colleagues.”

Jonathan Morgan, Deputy Principal at Coleg y Cymoedd added “We are delighted to be to be working with Age at Work, Business in the Community Cymru to ensure that all our employees aged over 50 are helped and encouraged to be able to live the fullest life possible, in both a work and personal setting. Coleg y Cymoedd recognises the benefits of having older staff members within our team. Their experience, knowledge, diligence and positive approach to work is often hard to beat. Creating an environment where individual are happy in their work and feel supported to give their best is of vital importance to us.