College News

Festive performance rounds off successful year for students

Performing Arts and Theatre Production Arts students at Gower College Swansea have rounded off another successful year with a wonderfully festive performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Over nine days, the students performed 20 shows to an audience of almost 2000 people. These included three public performances (which completely sold out) plus special matinees for eight local primary schools, two comprehensive schools and a staff Christmas party.

College event ‘highly commended’ at national awards ceremony

Gower College Swansea’s Annual Student Awards event, which is organised by the in-house Marketing team, has been highly commended in the prestigious College Marketing Network/FE First Awards for Marketing Excellence.

The Annual Awards, which caters for over 200 people and takes place every June at the Liberty Stadium, was shortlisted in the Events Management category.

Impressive WorldSkills medal haul for Gower College Swansea

The UK’s best young apprentices and vocational students have been crowned the nations’ No.1 in a glittering ceremony in Birmingham.

WorldSkills UK LIVE, which attracted more than 80,000 young people to the NEC, was the backdrop for the National Finals of WorldSkills UK’s Competitions and saw more than 500 young people compete in over 70 different disciplines. 

Taking part in WorldSkills UK Competitions equips young people with the world-class skills needed to help UK businesses better compete globally.  

Care home residents enjoy singing workshops

Residents of a Swansea care home have enjoyed a series of bilingual singing workshops due to a collaboration between Ffa-la-la and Gower College Swansea.

Thanks to funding support from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the College arranged for three sessions to take place at Hengoed Park Care Home in Winch Wen where residents and staff were encouraged to take some time out of their busy day and sing together in Welsh.

College’s Rainbow Week celebrates inclusivity of LGBTQ+ individuals

Staff and students at Gower College Swansea have launched their first ever Rainbow Week with Welsh international rugby union referee Nigel Owens, MBE.

GCS Rainbow Week is dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and celebrating inclusivity and the safe and supportive environment of the College.

The week started by signing up to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme and an address and Q&A by Nigel Owens, MBE. Nigel talked about his struggles with his own sexuality and mental health, highlighting the importance of being true to yourself.

Oxford college expands outreach initiative to Swansea

Students at Gower College Swansea have taken part in a brand new initiative that aims to attract more young people from state schools to the University of Oxford.

Around 80 A Level students attended the recent Step Up workshop at the Gorseinon Campus which was led by Head of Outreach at New College, Oxford - and former student of Gower College Swansea - Daniel Powell.

It’s graduation time for College’s HE learners!

Over 100 Higher Education students from Gower College Swansea have attended a special graduation event at the Brangwyn Hall.

The students donned their caps and gowns to celebrate their achievement in higher level courses such as accountancy, business, science, engineering, childcare, holistics, housing and management.

College enhances employer development focus with appointment of former Dragons Rugby CEO, Stuart Davies

Gower College Swansea has announced Stuart Davies as its new Business Development Consultant.

Having grown up only a stone’s throw away from the College’s Hill House estate in Tycoch, Stuart spent 14 years at the highest level of rugby, as a regular for both Swansea RFC and Wales, before amassing an extensive depth of knowledge across a wide range of sectors and specialisms within business.

Employability programme celebrates second birthday

Gower College Swansea’s employability programme - Better Jobs, Better Futures - is celebrating a second highly successful year of delivery.

Since it launched, the programme has supported over 1500 individuals seeking new or better employment - individuals like Dave, who was underemployed in seasonal roles and struggling with anxiety after a traumatic life event forced him to give up his previous career in London.

Gower College Swansea commended by AoC

Gower College Swansea has been commended for its best practice and innovation in three separate categories in the 2019/2020 Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards.

The Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK Colleges. They are awarded every year by AoC to provide recognition for excellence while acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels. They highlight the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.

Gower College Swansea’s commendations are for: