News Archive
College Open Evening, Thursday 17th May
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 tonight, Thursday 17th May.
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 2017, we achieved a 100% 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 2016 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 tonight 4-7pm. We’re looking forward to seeing you.
Read moreVocational Learner of the Year Award for College Merthyr Tydfil Engineering learner
The College Merthyr Tydfil is celebrating today after our Engineering student Brandon Jones was successfully awarded the Vocational Qualification (VQ) Intermediate Learner of the Year Award.
Brandon, who studied on our BTEC Level 3 Engineering provision, impressed judges with his determination to not only do his very best on his vocational qualification but to also help fellow pupils from Cyfarthfa High School to reach the national final of the F1 in Schools Challenge at Silverstone for two years running and inspire them to progress into a career in engineering.
Brandon, who graduated in 2017 with a double distinction star in Engineering, took on the role of team leader as part of his Welsh Baccalaureate Community Challenge. As part of this role, he spent 30 hours working with Year 10 students in Design and Technology lessons at Cyfarthfa High. At the end of this time he impressed the staff so much that they gave him the opportunity to visit on a weekly basis to coach and mentor year 11 engineering and design and technology learners. Brandon seized this opportunity and enrolled both Cyfarthfa High School and Merthyr College in the F1 in Schools Challenge. Initially he led the team to the regional finals and then onto the national finals at Silverstone.
As part of his role as F1 team leader, Brandon delegated roles to the other learners, acted as chief designer and also worked with three divisions within the college to produce a display stand for the national final. He was also instrumental in obtaining Team Sponsorship. It was only fitting that the college and school named the F1 team after him - ‘Brandon’s Hatch’.
Brandon’s legacy has been to establish an ongoing partnership between the college Engineering division and Cyfarthfa High School. As an outcome of this, we entered two joint teams to the regional finals in 2018 and Brandon took time in between studying for his Product Design degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University to come back and help out the team.
Brandon Commented "I am delighted to receive this award. From my first week in college, I really enjoyed the course and aspired to do my very best not just academically but also by participating in as many extra-curriculum activities as possible.”
Tutor Martin Thomas, commented “Not only has Brandon worked his hardest to achieve the best he can academically but he has also been an inspiration to his fellow students. On top of his studies, he continuously volunteered to participate in extra-curricular activities and opportunities. He excelled above our expectations and he thoroughly deserves to win the VQ Intermediate Learner of the Year Award. I wish him the very best of luck with his future career.”
Jonathan Davies, Cyfarthfa High School’s head of technology, noted: “Brandon is a natural leader with an attention to detail. I believe that his exceptional attitude will lead him to have a successful future career and I have no doubt that he will excel in his degree just like he did in his BTEC level 3 Engineering and his GCSEs prior to that.”
Brandon's achievements not only showcases his hard work and determination but it also reaffirms the commitment and passion of our Technology staff who have supported and encouraged him over the last two years.
With over 60 vocational pathways on offer and the highest vocational success rates in Wales, this award is the icing on the cake for the college and endorses our position as the leading provider of vocational awards in Wales.
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Gradd mewn peirianneg yn arwain at fywyd ar garlam
Mae Brandon Jones, sydd wedi graddio mewn peirianneg, wedi helpu myfyrwyr o Ysgol Uwchradd Cyfarthfa i brofi bywyd ar garlam drwy eu harwain i rownd derfynol yr Her F1 Mewn Ysgolion yn Silverstone, a hynny ddwy flynedd yn olynol.
Dechreuodd Brandon arwain y tîm fel rhan o Her Gymunedol Bagloriaeth Cymru ac yntau’n fyfyriwr yn Y Coleg Merthyr Tudful. Graddiodd y llynedd gyda seren rhagoriaeth ddwbl mewn Peirianneg. Eleni, bu’n helpu'r ysgol drachefn wrth astudio Dylunio Cynnyrch ym Mhrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd.
Mae’r Her F1 Mewn Ysgolion yn herio timau o fyfyrwyr i ddefnyddio meddalwedd CAD/CAM i gydweithio, dylunio, dadansoddi, gweithgynhyrchu, profi ac yna rasio modelau bloc sbwng o geir F1 bychain, a’r rheini’n cael eu gyrru gan aer cywasgedig.
Mae Brandon bellach wedi cyrraedd rownd derfynol Gwobrau Cymwysterau Galwedigaethol (VQ) Cymru, sy’n gwobrwyo unigolion a sefydliadau am eu hymroddiad, eu gwaith caled a'r hyn maen nhw wedi'i gyflawni.
Bydd y seremoni wobrwyo yn cael ei chynnal yng Ngwesty’r Exchange, Caerdydd, ar Fai 3, i gyd-fynd â Diwrnod VQ. Llywodraeth Cymru mewn partneriaeth â Ffederasiwn Hyfforddiant Cenedlaethol Cymru, ColegauCymru a Cymwysterau Cymru sy'n trefnu Gwobrau VQ.
Mae Brandon wedi cyrraedd rownd derfynol Gwobr Dysgwr VQ y Flwyddyn – Lefel Canolradd, a hynny ar ôl creu cymaint o argraff wrth dreulio 30 awr yn gweithio gyda myfyrwyr dylunio a thechnoleg blwyddyn 10 Ysgol Uwchradd Cyfarthfa nes y cafodd ei wahodd hefyd i hyfforddi a mentora dysgwyr blwyddyn 11.
Ac yntau wrth ei fodd o fod yn arwain y tîm Her F1 Mewn Ysgolion yn ei gyn-ysgol, dywedodd:
“Mae’r profiad hwn wedi fy helpu i fynd gam ymhellach na dim ond ennill fy nghymhwyster Peirianneg.
“O’r wythnos gyntaf yn y coleg, roeddwn yn gwir fwynhau’r cwrs a cheisiais wneud fy ngorau glas, nid yn unig yn academaidd, ond hefyd drwy gyfrannu at gynifer o weithgareddau allgyrsiol â phosibl.”
Mae Martin Thomas, tiwtor ffiseg safon uwch a BTEC peirianneg yn Y Coleg Merthyr Tudful, yn disgrifio Brandon fel “ysbrydoliaeth i’w gyd-fyfyrwyr”.
Meddai Jonathan Davies, pennaeth technoleg Ysgol Uwchradd Cyfarthfa: “Mae Brandon yn arweinydd naturiol, sy’n rhoi sylw i fanylion. Rwy’n credu y bydd ei agwedd eithriadol yn arwain at yrfa lwyddiannus yn y dyfodol, ac nid oes dwywaith y bydd yn rhagori yn ei radd yn union fel y gwnaeth yn ei BTEC peirianneg lefel 3 a’i gymwysterau TGAU cyn hynny.”
Mae Gwobrau Dysgwr VQ y Flwyddyn yn cydnabod dysgwyr sy’n dangos dilyniant a rhagoriaeth glir mewn dysgu galwedigaethol ac sydd wedi cyflawni’n sylweddol yn eu meysydd.
Yn ogystal â’r seremoni wobrwyo, anogir darparwyr dysgu drwy Gymru i drefnu digwyddiadau lleol ar Ddiwrnod VQ, ac i sicrhau bod dysgwyr o bob oed yn rhan o’r rheini.
Mae cymwysterau galwedigaethol yn bwysig i’r economi, i gwmnïau ac i unigolion, gan eu bod yn darparu’r gweithwyr hyfforddedig a thalentog y mae busnesau mor awyddus i’w cael, a chan eu bod hefyd yn sicrhau bod gan bobl ifanc y sgiliau i lwyddo yn y byd addysg a'r byd gwaith.
Dywedodd Eluned Morgan, Gweinidog y Gymraeg a Dysgu Gydol Oes: “Mae gwobr VQ yn arwydd o ymroddiad i broffesiwn penodol, ac yn dangos i bobl eraill eich bod wedi gwir ymrwymo i ddatblygu yn bersonol ac yn broffesiynol.
“Mae’r gwobrau yn ein helpu i ddathlu cyflogwyr, dysgwyr a hyfforddwyr yng Nghymru sydd eisoes yn cymryd camau ychwanegol i ddatblygu sgiliau a chymwysterau galwedigaethol.”
Llywodraeth Cymru gyda chymorth gan Gronfa Cymdeithasol Ewrop sy’n ariannu’r Rhaglen Brentisiaethau yng Nghymru.
Yn y llun:
Brandon Jones gyda’r ceir a wnaed ar gyfer yr Her F1 Mewn Ysgolion.
Brandon Jones gyda Martin Thomas, tiwtor peirianneg yn Y Coleg Merthyr Tudful.
Read moreEngineering graduate experiences life in fast lane
Engineering graduate Brandon Jones has helped students from Cyfarthfa High School in Merthyr Tydfil experience life in the fast lane by leading them to the national final of the F1 in Schools Challenge at Silverstone for two years running.
Brandon took on the role of team leader as part of his Welsh Baccalaureate Community Challenge whilst a student at The College Merthyr Tydfil and graduated last year with a double distinction star in Engineering. This year, he has helped the school again whilst studying Product Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
The F1 in Schools Challenge challenges teams of students to deploy CAD/CAM software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test and then race miniature compressed air powered foam model block F1 cars.
Now Brandon has been named a finalist in this year’s Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards in Wales, which are designed to reward individuals and organisations for their commitment, hard work and achievements.
The awards ceremony will be held at The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff on May 3 to coincide with VQ Day. The awards are organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), ColegauCymru / CollegesWales and Qualifications Wales.
A VQ Learner of the Year - Intermediate finalist, Brandon made such an impact when spending 30 hours working with Cyfarthfa High School’s year 10 design and technology students that he was invited to also coach and mentor year 11 learners.
Thrilled to be the F1 in Schools Challenge team leader at his former school, he said: “This experience helped me to go above and beyond just gaining my Engineering qualification.
“From my first week in college, I really enjoyed the course and aspired to do my very best not just academically but also by participating in as many extra-curriculum activities as possible.”
Martin Thomas, A level physics and BTEC Engineering tutor at The College Merthyr Tydfil, described Brandon as an “inspiration to his fellow students”.
Jonathan Davies, Cyfarthfa High School’s head of technology, said: “Brandon is a natural leader with an attention to detail. I believe that his exceptional attitude will lead him to have a successful future career and I have no doubt that he will excel in his degree just like he did in his BTEC level 3 Engineering and his GCSEs prior to that.”
The VQ Learner Awards recognise learners who clearly demonstrate progression and excellence in vocational studies and have made considerable achievements in their field.
In addition to the award ceremony, learning providers across Wales are being encouraged to organise regional events that engage with learners of all ages on VQ Day.
Vocational qualifications are important to the economy, companies and individuals, as they deliver the trained, talented employees that businesses are crying out for and ensure young people have the skills needed to succeed in education and work.
Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Eluned Morgan said: “A VQ award is a symbol of dedication towards a chosen profession, demonstrating to others a real commitment towards personal and professional development.
“The awards help us to celebrate those Welsh employers, learners and trainers who are already going that extra mile when it comes to developing vocational skills and qualifications.”
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Picture caption:
Brandon Jones with cars made for the F1 in Schools Challenge.
Brandon Jones with Martin Thomas, an engineering tutor at The College Merthyr Tydfil.
Ends
For more information please contact Claire Roberts, CollegesWales, on Tel: 029 2052 2500 or 07534 859426, or Duncan Foulkes, public relations consultant, on 01686 650818 or 07779 785451.
Read morePerforming Arts learners get ready for star performance of 'Want'
Performing Arts learners are busy preparing for their star performance of 'Want' by Barney Norris. WANT, which tells the stories of a constellation of young people through a series of charged, longing exchanges will be performed by BTEC Performing Arts students as part of the National Theatre Connections season.This production will be performed by second year BTEC Performing Arts students who themselves are facing the same life-changing decisions as the characters. This is the first time the college has performed as part of National Theatre Connections but it certainly won’t be the last…
Barney Norris, commented "How does a young person measure their self-worth? How do we stop a fear of the future and the anxiety of self-limiting themselves? If only we could have a Life User’s Manual…This play is about finding LOVE amongst the rubble of an ordinary life.
"I wrote this play to give voice to the landscape of life among young people where I come from, in semi-rural Wiltshire, where possibility is caged by the bus timetable and the work available, and time passes in the search for something to put at the centre of your life."
The National Theatre commissions established playwrights to write their next new play; the only proviso is that teenagers will be performing them. Whether through comedy, tragedy or thriller, physical theatre, verbatim or musical, these plays inspire debate and stimulate teenage minds.
The play, which will be performed in Redhouse on Wednesday 21st March, will then be performed again in The Sherman Theatre over Easter.
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