College News

Investing in young local talent

Plans are well underway to nurture the skills and talent of local youngsters and boost the local NHS and life sciences workforce.

Over 200 pupils in Year 11 from Bishopston Comprehensive were invited to a recent special careers conference highlighting the variety of jobs in the NHS and life science sector, such as laboratory and scientific testing to help diagnose and treat illnesses.

The first Elevate Conference was held at Swansea University earlier this month and it proved a huge success with the Bishopston pupils.

German exchange visit a huge success

A group of German apprentices recently spent three weeks at Gower College Swansea, during which time they gained an invaluable insight into the electronics and digital technology industry in South Wales.

As part of their visit, the students toured a range of companies with close links to the college such as Elite Aerials, Zeta Alarm Systems, Trojan Electronics, BSC and TongFang Global.

“Inspecting workshops, warehouses and assembly lines, they were able to compare and contrast with how things are done back home in Stuttgart,” says Curriculum Leader Steve Williams.

Students visit World Heritage site

As part of their study of coastal processes and landforms, A Level Geography students from Gower College Swansea were given the exciting opportunity to participate in a recent two-day residential field trip to England’s first natural World Heritage site.

The students - accompanied by lecturers Valeh Warrey, Mark Lethbridge, David Bawden and Yana Austin - visited part of the Jurassic coastline at Dorset and also got to study the awe-inspiring landscapes of Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Poole Harbour Spit and Bournemouth.

A milestone for college’s Diversity Fayre

Staff and students at Gower College Swansea recently celebrated a very colourful milestone – the tenth anniversary of its Diversity Fayre.

Every year since 2005, students, staff and community groups have gathered at the college for a carnival of music and dance.

Among the entertainment on offer this year was African drumming, Brazilian martial arts, and displays of Bollywood, street and Chinese dance. Live music was provided by students from Llwyn y Bryn and Gorseinon as well as the Gower College Swansea choir.

Enterprise students head for Bootcamp

Nine Enterprise students from Gower College Swansea have successfully applied for the Welsh Government’s intensive three-day ‘Bootcamp to Business’ Challenge, which takes place in November.

This follows a recent audition event at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David where the students were coached and mentored by the college’s Enterprise Officer Lucy Turtle.

Lancet editor visits Gorseinon students

Students planning a career in medicine/psychiatry got the chance to meet one of the leading figures in the field recently, when the founding editor of The Lancet Psychiatry visited Gower College Swansea.

Niall Boyce met students at the Gorseinon campus to talk about emerging areas of mental health research.

"Mental health research is in a very exciting phase right now, including some world-class work going on in Wales,” says Niall. “I hope some of the students at Gower College Swansea will consider careers in this area."

Congratulations to our 2015 HE graduates!

Gower College Swansea students have attended a special graduation ceremony at the city’s National Waterfront Museum to celebrate the achievement of their higher education and professional qualifications.

Almost 100 students donned their cap and gowns to collect certificates in a range of disciplines including AAT Accounting, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, IT, Children’s Care, Learning and Development, Business, Sport and Leadership and Management.

Former student returns with globetrotting tales

A former Gower College Swansea Performing Arts student recently returned to the Gorseinon campus to give an inspiring insight into the television and film industry and the globe-trotting opportunities it can provide.

Andrew Price, the business brain behind Dryad Bushcraft, is part of the Welsh Government's Big Ideas Role Model programme, which enables young people to meet up with successful local figures from a range of industries.

Jordan aiming for shooting competition success

A Digital Technology student from Gower College Swansea is getting ready to represent Wales at a four-day CISAAM shooting event at Bisley later this month.

Jordan Thomas, 16, who is following the Level 2 Digital Technology course at the Tycoch campus, has already achieved great success at competitions as part of the Dyfed and Glamorgan AFC.

Jordan has been a member of the Army Cadet Force for three years, progressing from a basic level to being qualified to use a L8582 - or GP - rifle.

Opening up a world of books for students

Local schools were invited to Gower College Swansea recently to celebrate the launch of the HE+ programme for 2015/16.

Gower College Swansea, at the invitation of and in collaboration with, the University of Cambridge, is the “hub” institution in the Swansea HE+ Consortium, working with the seven state sixth-form schools in the area.