People Awards 2024: Coleg y Cymoedd honours its staff for excellence and dedication

19 March 2024

One of the highlights of the year at Coleg y Cymoedd is the People Awards, a special event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of its staff members. The awards honour the hard work and dedication of the team that makes the college a leading provider of education and training in the region.

This year’s ceremony took place on Monday, 18th March, at the Nantgarw campus, where the winners were announced and congratulated by their colleagues and managers. The attendees enjoyed live entertainment, inspiring speeches, and messages of appreciation from the college’s senior leadership team and board of governors.

The occasion was also an opportunity to mark a significant milestone in the college’s history: the tenth anniversary of the merger between College Ystrad Mynach and Coleg Morgannwg, which created Coleg y Cymoedd in 2013. Since then, the college has gone from strength to strength and has become a centre of excellence for vocational and academic learning.

One of the highlights of this year’s ceremony was the introduction of a new award category to commemorate the anniversary. The Greatest Journey Award (10th Anniversary) recognised a staff member who had overcome significant challenges and achieved remarkable success in their career at Coleg y Cymoedd. The winner was Kelly Morgan.

Kelly started off as a Learning Support Assistant and has recently been appointed Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision. Throughout her time at the college Kelly has been kind, compassionate and supportive of those she works with and is a credit to the Learning Support team.

The college’s principal, Jonathan Morgan, honoured the outstanding achievements of his colleagues by handing out a further 16 People Awards. He commended them for their exceptional teaching and innovation skills, which had enabled them to transform the lives of learners across South Wales and prepare them for successful futures.

Coleg y Cymoedd would like to extend their congratulations to them, and to thank all 850 of their employees for their continuing hard work and dedication.

The winners of the People Awards 2024 are:

Best Newcomer Award – Moira Hale

This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate a new colleague who has joined Coleg y Cymoedd since September 2022. The nominee will have already demonstrated a commitment to the college and have had a positive impact on their area.

Moira joined us in September 2022 in a newly created Pastoral Coach role within the School of Catering. Moira has had a phenomenal impact since joining the college, making it her mission to expand her knowledge of college processes and supporting learners to achieve successful outcomes. Moira works across all four campuses and commits every day to make sure the learners are succeeding. Moira is described as passionate, someone who can turn her hand to anything and an asset to the college.

Digital Innovation of the Year Award – Stephen Hunt

This award recognises individuals or teams that have delivered a major digital project or implemented new digital technology within their area. This category is open to all employees, but the project must be a digital or technology-related task that has impacted on the wider college. This can be a bespoke internal system that the college now relies on, an efficiency driven project, or learner focused introduction that has seen incredible results.

During Stephen’s time at the college so far, he has supported the School of Computing in gathering digital and other resources which are used all the time by the team and made incredible inroads into new areas such as eSports. He’s made strong contacts in the industry such as WRU, Alpine F1 team and Williams Motorsports and built a credible relationship with local schools to build the profile of Aberdare Campus and the provision there.

Distinguished Employee Award – Paul Lavanga

This award will recognise an individual colleague who demonstrates long-term outstanding performance and achievement in a Business Support or Academic Area showing initiative, innovation, or commitment.

Paul has been at the college for almost 30 years and is highly respected amongst his close colleagues and the wider college. Paul is described as a high energy, enthusiastic Lecturer in the School of Creative, who has shown loyalty and commitment to both his learners and the college over the last three decades. Paul’s unwavering commitment and reputation led to his nomination in this year’s People Awards.

Distinguished Employee Award – Carl Elliott

Carl has worked for the college for 25 years and is credited as being a Lecturer with excellent pastoral care and high expectations for his learners. For the last two academic years in a row, Carl has supported and challenged learners to such an excellent standard that they’ve achieved 100% completion on a 30 hour-a-week enhanced engineering programme, building the reputation and success of both our Rhondda Campus and the School of Engineering.

Greatest Journey Award (10th Anniversary) – Kelly Morgan

This award recognises a colleague who has made a significant and positive contribution to the college in the last ten years since Coleg y Cymoedd was formed. The winner will be someone with an inspiring story.

During Kelly’s time at the college (16 years) she has grown and progressed significantly. Kelly started off as a Learning Support Assistant, and has recently been appointed Deputy Head of Additional Learning Provision. Kelly is described as an extremely hard worker who has built a positive and happy working environment, her passion has inspired those who work with her. Throughout her time at the college Kelly has been kind, compassionate and supportive of those she works with and is a credit to the Learning Support team.

Gwobr Gymraeg/Welsh Award – Rhys Ruggiero

This award will recognise an individual or team who have not only promoted bilingualism but sought to foster a bilingual ethos where the Welsh language and bilingualism is incorporated into core values. Such activity may include investing in and supporting the capacity of staff to deliver Welsh medium/bilingual learning, curriculum initiatives that extend the opportunities for Welsh-medium/bilingual study or strategic planning for the development of a Welsh ethos. In addition, nominations are invited where someone is able to demonstrate the effective embedding of a Welsh dimension into the college’s curriculum and daily life or provide innovative and successful ways of encouraging Welsh medium study.

Rhys is this year’s winner for the Gwobr y Gymraeg/Welsh Award, he was nominated for promoting Welsh Language and culture, chasing collaboration, embracing technology for innovation, providing support, and advocating for bilingual curricula. Rhys’ passion and commitment has been particularly admirable and has made him a worthy winner.

Inclusivity Award – Llinos Morgan

This award is for an individual or team who have demonstrated outstanding inclusivity within the college. The nominees will have made an impact, inspired others and contributed to the college’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Llinos joined the college in August 2023, and has already had an impact in the college’s drive towards a fully inclusive culture. Llinos has recently supported ESOL learners with a coffee morning, going above and beyond her role in Learner and Campus Services. Llinos is also a member of the college’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee, where she adds valuable contribution.

Inspiring Learners Award – Lee Perry

This award is for a person who is recognised by learners as demonstrating exceptional qualities as a Lecturer or member of the non-teaching staff. The nominee will have inspired and motivated learners with their enthusiasm, understanding and friendly manner to enable them to achieve their aspirational goals.

Lee has worked at Coleg y Cymoedd for more than 15 years, he’s won the Inspiring Learners Award this year for his incredible work in the Skills competitions. Lee is a Lecturer in the School of Construction and has encouraged many learners over the past ten years to participate in competitions (which has benefited the learners themselves and the wider college). One of the learners Lee has supported has gone on to represent the UK in the World Skills Competition.

Outstanding Leader Award (Academic) – Simon Jenkins

This award recognises an excellent leader with a proven record of working with their team to achieve outstanding results within their area of responsibility. The nominee should have strong leadership skills and be able to demonstrate a commitment to, and be proactive in, delivering continuous improvement. Key attributes should also include a forward-thinking approach to customer focus and service delivery, visibility, and being responsive to their team. They should be able to inspire, motivate and engage others, treating everyone with fairness and consistency.

Simon has worked tirelessly in recent years to improve the culture and the outcomes of the schools he leads. Simon has been nominated for the way he builds relationships, role models positive behaviours and his professionalism. His approach and influence have been key in standardising the delivery across campuses and ensuring all learners have positive learning experiences here at the college. Simon has been at the college for twenty years, having started as a Learning Support Assistant in 2004, he is now Head of School for the School of Health and Social Care and the School of Care.

Outstanding Leader Award (Business Support) – Rebecca Vaughan

Rebecca was nominated several times for this award, for leading by example and stepping in to support her team wherever she can, she’s described as a kind and thoughtful leader who genuinely cares about her team. Her team say she goes above and beyond every day. The ULP team has seen a

lot of change within the last year, and they credit Rebecca’s leadership for keeping them motivated and happy at work. Rebecca has been at the college for more than 15 years and is currently a ULP Team Leader.

Service Excellence Award – Victoria Williams

This award will celebrate a colleague or team who have demonstrated their extraordinary commitment to continuously providing excellent service. They will have made a significant impact on learners, colleagues and areas of the college. They will have demonstrated open communication and innovative ways of doing things as well as actively promoting a culture within the college which meets the needs of individuals, treating all service users well and seeking continuous improvement.

Victoria has been at the college for 18 years, having started as HR Administrative Assistant she’s now People and Culture Manager. Victoria was nominated for her support of the Learning Support department, who described her unwavering dedication to creating a positive and inclusive work environment which has contributed to the performance and success of the Learning Support team. The team say she’s responsive and knowledgeable, always going the extra mile.

Supporting Learner Wellbeing Award – Carolyn Owen

This award recognises a team or School who has demonstrated exceptional effort in supporting the pastoral care of learners. This award is for those who have gone above and beyond their duties to make a real difference to the learners’ lives during their time in the college.

Carolyn is a Wellbeing Officer and has been at the college for two years, she was nominated more than once for this award. Carolyn was described as a fundamental part of ensuring learners on the Rhondda campus received support which is proactive and compassionate. Carolyn is calm, kind and understanding, always looking for opportunities to develop connections that will help our learners.

Supporting Learner Wellbeing Award – Paul Sutton

Paul has also been at the college for two years. He’s described as continually doing whatever he can for each learner he works with. His dedication to making a difference to individual learners is described as second to none and his nominators said it’s an honour to work with him. The role of Wellbeing Officer can be extremely difficult at times, given what they deal with, Paul is described as undertaking this role with a smile on his face and a positive attitude.

Teaching and Learning Award – David Hills

This award will recognise a colleague who creates a climate for teaching and learning in the classroom which is characterised by enthusiasm for learning, high expectations, and outstanding results. They will show a commitment to teach every learner, including challenging learners, to aim high and support them in pursuit of their aspirations. They will actively monitor the experience and progress of each class and adjust their approach to take account of the needs of individual learners and the class. They will engage others in supporting learners’ learning and development, including colleagues, parents, learning support and other professionals. They will show a continuing commitment to their own professional personal development.

David has been at the college for 13 years, he’s currently both a Lecturer and a Teaching and Learning Coach. David has been nominated for always making time to mentor, guide and support those he works with, being at the forefront of digital development and pushing boundaries to constantly improve teaching and learning. David contributes his valuable insight to many working groups across the college which have had a significant impact on practice.

Team Achievement Award (Academic) – Nathan Thomas, Liam Richards and Alistair Aston

This award will commend a team whose efforts and achievements have made an outstanding contribution to the college and its various partners, be that colleagues, learners or other stakeholder.

This specially created team (Nathan and Liam are Apprentice Lecturers in the School of Engineering, Alistair is a Lecturer in the School of Creative). The team created the amazing 65th Celebratory Nos Galan Torch for Rhondda Cynon Taff Council. The team worked together, using cutting edge technology to design and create a torch for the mystery runners of the Nos Galan.

Team Achievement Award (Business Support) – Curriculum and Quality Administrators

This award will commend a team whose efforts and achievements have made an outstanding contribution to the college and its various partners, be that colleagues, learners or other stakeholder.

The Curriculum and Quality Administrators have recently been brought together as one team, having previously worked within their curriculum areas, and have gone from strength to strength since. They’ve won this award for their clear communication and diligence following significant changes in their roles, and their commitment to working together to improve quality across the college.

Principal’s Award – Alun Skym

The principal award this year acknowledges an individual who has shown exceptional leadership, dedication, and contributions to the college community. This recognition celebrates their remarkable achievements, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their role. The recipient has exemplified high standards of professionalism, collaboration, and service, serving as a role model and creating significant positive impacts within the college environment.

Archie has dedicated over 35 years to the college, overseeing Technicians in the Schools of Construction and Engineering. Throughout his tenure, Archie has consistently demonstrated a commitment to developing and mentoring his team, working across all four campuses and multiple trades and disciplines. Within this time, Archie has overseen significant change and managed the team effectively throughout, bringing people together and leading with kindness.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the People Awards 2024!

The college also thanked its sponsors, partners, and stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration, and expressed its hope and optimism for the future of further education in Wales.