College News

Celebrating 'Welsh Week'

We had a week full of events to celebrate Welshness in the college around our Patron Saint day - St David’s Day.

The common rooms on every campus were decorated all over with daffodils, yellow and green balloons, Welsh flags and daffodil and leek bunting from pillar to pillar. Of course there was plenty of free Welsh cakes for students as well!

Apprenticeships lead to careers in science

Gower College Swansea is currently supporting four young female apprentices as they take their first steps towards a career in science.

Hazel Hinder, Sally Hughes and Courteney Peart (Tata Steel) and Meghan Maddox (Vale Europe) are studying BTEC Diploma in Applied Science and NVQ Lab Technician at the Tycoch campus.

Apprenticeships are a 'cut above'

The award-winning Hair Lounge Salon (which has premises in Fforestfach and Skewen) looks to its apprentices to assist in the smooth running of the business on a day to day basis.

Senior stylist Adrian took the apprenticeship route and has worked at the Hair Lounge for almost five years.

College / industry collaboration leads to apprenticeship opportunities

Gower College Swansea has developed an exciting collaboration with industrial electronics specialists Kontroltek, who are based in Bridgend, after both organisations saw a potential opportunity to move students seamlessly from the college environment into successful, motivating apprenticeships.

Kontroltek specialise in electronic, electrical and mechanical repairs and supply. They currently have 40 employees but have extensive ambitions to grow their workforce using the ‘next generation’ of electronic engineers.

Caswell Bay dip for fund-raising students

A group of very brave staff and students from Gower College Swansea recently took to the icy waters of Caswell Bay for a very good cause – to raise money for the Kenya Community Education Project (KCEP) charity.

This ‘walrus dip’ was part of a series of endurance events, including the 40 mile Cannock Chase Walk and a Snowdon climb, that the students will attempt in the coming months.

ESOL students walk for Care International

Thanks to everyone who supported the ESOL team's annual 'Walk in her Shoes' sponsored stroll for Care International - staff and students braved the rain to walk from Llwyn y Bryn to Brynmill, then Singleton, the seafront (Oystermouth Rd) and back again.

So far they have raised £351.43 - which is a fantastic achievement.

Gower College Swansea sees double success at PQ Awards

ACCA’s (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Platinum Approved Learning Partner Gower College Swansea achieved wins in two categories at the PQ Magazine Awards 2017 held on 21 February in London.

Paul Sizer, Curriculum Leader for Accountancy and Finance, was named Accountancy Personality of the Year and Jayne Walker, Lecturer and Mentor for Accountancy, picked up the award for Training Manager/Workplace Mentor of the Year.

Refurbishment of Tycoch campus begins

The redevelopment of the front of Gower College Swansea’s Tycoch campus is set to begin, with the old façade to be replaced with new and improved facilities that will benefit all students and staff.

Together with Welsh Government support, the College will be investing over £3.5million in the project which will see contractors TRJ create modern learning and social accommodation.

The ground floor will consist of a brand new reception, space for student support services & student funding, a coffee shop and common room area.

Welsh Language Music Day

Gower College Swansea’s Gorseinon campus was full to the brim last week when it celebrated Welsh Language Music Day – a national day established to celebrate modern Welsh language music.

Menter Iaith Abertawe visited the college to DJ a Welsh language playlist from bands such as Candelas, Sŵnami, Bryn Fôn and Llareggub Brass Band and raise awareness amongst students of the variety of Welsh music.

Minister sees local benefits of Skills for Industry investment

Skills for Industry (SFI) is supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, and aims to increase the skills levels of employed individuals by supporting the delivery of training through a wide range of courses and qualifications.

The project, in the past three years alone, has benefitted over 5700 learners and 1500 employers in the South West Wales region and continues to go from strength to strength.