News Archive
College Open Evening, Tuesday 13th November 2018
Whether you are a school leaver thinking about your next steps or an adult learner seeking to develop your skills or qualifications further, take the next steps towards your future career goals and come along to our open evening Tuesday 13th November.
We will be opening our doors to showcase the college to all prospective students from 4-7pm, providing a great opportunity for you to come and see first-hand the full range of courses, excellent facilities, learning resources and pastoral support that the college has to offer.
With over 100 courses for you to choose from, we have something for everyone. So whether you are looking to study A Levels, vocational qualifications, Apprenticeships, Diplomas, Degrees or Professional Qualifications, we have a suitable course for you.
Our links with local businesses and the local community, mean that whatever you choose to study we will be able to provide you with the opportunity to enrich your educational experience through work experience, volunteering and enrichment activities, enterprise challenges, sports coaching and much more. From our apprenticeship programme with General Dynamics, our Welding programme with Tenneco Walker through to our sports coaching positions with local community, football and rugby clubs, we will help you to not only achieve your qualification but also develop the skills required to make you stand out from the crowd in your employment or university application form.
Our results and success rates are also second to none; in 2018, we achieved a 99.9% A level pass rate together with 100% pass rates across many of our vocational areas. Our higher education learners also achieve consistently good results and in 2018 we were rated the top college out of all FE colleges in Wales for HE student satisfaction.
Whether you know what you want to study or not, our expert team of admissions advisers and subject tutors will be on hand to help and advise you on course options throughout the evening. We'd love to show you our facilities and give you the opportunity to talk to current students about their experiences of studying with us. Our transport, finance and learner welfare and support teams will also be on hand to give you advice on how we can support you throughout your time with us and help you fund those all important things like travel to college, books and learning resources, learning materials and kits.
Don’t delay, make that next step towards your future goals and come along on Tuesday 13th November between 4-7pm. We’re looking forward to seeing you.
Please note that our Head of College will be providing a presentation on our results and successes throughout the evening. If you require this presentation through the medium of Welsh, please contact Lynwen Harrington on l.harrington@merthyr.ac.uk
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College Principal supports ‘Time to Change Young People’s Pledge’
On 10th October, the college held a well-being event to mark the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Working with Merthyr Tydfil and the Valleys Mind and key local partners, the event provided an opportunity for staff and learners and members of the public to come along and gain advice and guidance on how to enhance their health and well-being.
Opening the event, Head of College, Lisa Thomas also had the privilege of signing the Time To Change Young People's Pledge, showcasing the college’s commitment to supporting learners suffering with mental health issues.
Speaking at the event, Lisa commented, “I am proud to sign this pledge as testament to the college’s commitment and support towards tackling mental health stigma and discrimination. As many of you are all too aware, there are unfortunately growing numbers of people experiencing mental or emotional distress throughout the local authority areas of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. As a college we work hard to promote wellbeing and healthy lifestyles through a whole host of activities, programmes, strategies and initiatives. This event provides an ideal opportunity to work with local organisations to further promote the external opportunities, networks and activities that exist to help raise awareness, offer support and positively enhance not only the health and well-being of our learners and staff but also the health and well-being of the wider community of Merthyr Tydfil.”
The event was very successful attracting in excess of over 500 people throughout the day.
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College Head of Enterprise shortlisted for prestigious NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Award
Shortlist for the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards Announced
It has just been announced that Wales based Christine Bissex has been shortlisted for the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Entrepreneurs Champion of the Year award.
Christine Bissex beat off some tough competition in order to make the regional shortlist, with a record number of businesses and individuals entering the awards nationally across the wide range of categories.
Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane OBE of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and most recently, Hannah and Sophie Pycroft of Spectrum Collections.
Chris Bissex stated “I am extremely proud and honoured to be listed as a finalist in these prestigious awards. It is great to be recognised for the work I have been doing at The College Merthyr Tydfil for the past 18 years helping young people start businesses and become more entrepreneurial”
Creator of the Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has yet again seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”
“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them, and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”
Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at NatWest said: "Following another record-breaking year, I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered and congratulate those who have been shortlisted, I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”
“Entrepreneurial spirit is still clearly alive and well, and NatWest is thrilled to be able to continue to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate entrepreneurship across a number of categories at 5 gala finals across the UK, including; Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester & London. You can find more information about the awards and the ceremonies here: www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.
The College Merthyr Tydfil
Contact: Leanne Jones – Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: l.jones3@merthyr.ac.uk
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards:
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain.
Press Contacts:
For Great British Entrepreneur Awards information, contact 0845 5000 328.
Read moreCollege Head of Enterprise shortlisted for prestigious NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Award
Shortlist for the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards Announced
It has just been announced that Wales based Christine Bissex has been shortlisted for the 2018 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Entrepreneurs Champion of the Year award.
Christine Bissex beat off some tough competition in order to make the regional shortlist, with a record number of businesses and individuals entering the awards nationally across the wide range of categories.
Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane OBE of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and most recently, Hannah and Sophie Pycroft of Spectrum Collections.
Chris Bissex stated “I am extremely proud and honoured to be listed as a finalist in these prestigious awards. It is great to be recognised for the work I have been doing at The College Merthyr Tydfil for the past 18 years helping young people start businesses and become more entrepreneurial”
Creator of the Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has yet again seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”
“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them, and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”
Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at NatWest said: "Following another record-breaking year, I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered and congratulate those who have been shortlisted, I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”
“Entrepreneurial spirit is still clearly alive and well, and NatWest is thrilled to be able to continue to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate entrepreneurship across a number of categories at 5 gala finals across the UK, including; Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester & London. You can find more information about the awards and the ceremonies here: www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.
The College Merthyr Tydfil
Contact: Leanne Jones – Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: l.jones3@merthyr.ac.uk
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards:
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain.
Press Contacts:
For Great British Entrepreneur Awards information, contact 0845 5000 328.
Read moreCollege Merthyr Tydfil and Tydfil training Consortium join forces to provide enhanced traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities in Merthyr Tydfil
The College Merthyr Tydfil Work Based Learning provision and Tydfil Training Consortium have, today, announced that they are joining together to provide an integrated traineeship and apprenticeship programme, offering a range of opportunities for learners from the age of 14 through to adults seeking help and support with their employability skills.
Working in partnership will enable both organisations to provide not only traineeships and apprenticeship opportunities but also a broader range of employability and enterprise initiatives and support, further enhancing and complementing the priorities and objectives arising from the Welsh Government’s apprenticeship strategy, employability and regional skills plans.
Speaking at the launch event, Lisa Thomas, new Head of College Merthyr Tydfil, commented “Today marks the beginning of an exciting future for the College and Tydfil Training Consortium, joining together to provide a comprehensive range of work based learning traineeships and apprenticeships for the benefit of learners, employers and the wider community of Merthyr Tydfil.”
Paul Gray, Chief Executive, Tydfil Training Consortium further commented “Working together will enable us to promote skills growth, educational attainment and contribute positively to the economy of Merthyr Tydfil, the Heads of the Valleys and Cardiff City region. We already work closely in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and our collaboration will enable us to enhance this work even further.”
Our ambition is to become a beacon for a new approach to education that raises skills, qualifications and engagement levels for all.”
As part of the new partnership, both entities will continue to operate as they do and existing contacts, assessors and employment liaison officers will remain the same. Across the next few months, the college’s Work Based Learning provision will merge with Tydfil Training – providing a one stop shop for all learners and employers wishing to engage in a traineeship, apprenticeship or employability programme.
Employers or learners seeking to find out more about the traineeships, apprenticeships and employability and enterprise support programmes, should contact Tydfil Training consortium on 01685 371747 or The College Merthyr Tydfil on 01685 726130.
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