Local college invites employers to address skills development in new course content

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A college in Wales has invited local employers in a new initiative to help tailor degree level courses to their emerging business requirements.

Staff at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru held focus groups over a three-month period with key employers in the region, who had the opportunity to influence the final course content of three new foundation degrees; Hotel and Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism Management, and Business & Management.

Patrick Leonard, Acting Director of Business and Tourism at the college, commented: “The courses are aimed at individuals looking to improve themselves and their career prospects. They are delivered on a flexible basis, catering to the individuals needs, and are highly thought of throughout industry”.

“On completion, students have the option to top-up to a full BA Hons degree with just one year’s extra study”, he continued.

Organisations involved in the consultation process include Conwy County Borough Council, the North Wales NHS Trust, NOVA Mk Ltd (St. Asaph), Conwy Energy Agency and other associated hotels and holiday parks.

Delia Quigley, Business Development Manager at the Conwy Energy Agency, noted: “Looking at the course content, it looks like a well- rounded and comprehensive course”.

A statement released last week by the college explains how the revised courses gives “students the skills employers are demanding along with the opportunity of gaining a degree level qualification”.

George Brookes, Development Manager at Conwy County Borough Council, was equally buoyant about the initiative: “This qualification [Travel & Tourism Management] will go quite some way in meeting the objectives of a number of local, regional and national strategies, in connection with the improvement of quality and training of workers within the tourism industry”.

£4 million funding for local college

And in related news, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru is to invest nearly £4 million worth of funding into Rhyl College.

Having recently secured a £2.6 million grant from the Welsh Assembly Governments Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS), they will match the grant with £1.2 million of college funds.

Huw Evans OBE, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru Principal, said: “In direct response to the needs of the local economy and working closely with local secondary schools, the College will offer new training and development opportunities in the key sectors of construction, automotive and health and care, thereby meeting a considerable skills shortage in the area and supporting the regeneration agenda”.

“We also plan to develop sustainable energy training opportunities, particularly in the context of the construction industry, to provide businesses with the skills they”ll need to utilise sustainability techniques”.

The investment is said to provide a “wealth of opportunities” for the North Wales town and surrounding areas.

Vijay Pattni.

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