The College Ystrad Mynach News

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.