College News

Employment Hub reopens – confirming commitment to tackling unemployment

Mark Jones, Principal of Gower College Swansea, explains how the College is planning to help people get the support they need to secure and retain employment.

Of all of the challenges we have faced in recent months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and possibly the greatest one that still lies in front of us, is the projections that around 7.6 million jobs or around 24% of the UK workforce could be at risk because of the lockdown period.

Updated message from Principal, Mark Jones (16 July)

The announcement last week by the Minister for Education Kirsty Williams effectively means that we have now been given approval to put together a second plan for September based on 16–18 year old College students being physically present on campus.

Health and Wellbeing Day 2020 – the year it went virtual!

Gower College Swansea recently held its third annual Health and Wellbeing Day – its first ever virtual one!

Over 400 members of staff enjoyed the wellbeing sessions which were a blend of live and pre-recorded video sessions on YouTube and live webinars on Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

The sessions included

Award nomination for paper-saving process

Gower College Swansea has been shortlisted in the Public Sector Paperless Awards 2020.

The College has been shortlisted in the Processes category for its work in reducing the paperwork involved in its student health disclosures and care plans procedures.

Historically, at the start of every academic year, all students were asked to complete a paper based medical form on which they inform the College of any medical or health conditions that may affect them whilst studying.

Students produce a virtual fashion showcase

This years’ FDA Fashion and Textiles Design showcase was very different to usual. With lockdown measures meaning students couldn’t put on a physical show, they instead showcased their work through a dedicated Instagram page.

Special lockdown project for College jazz band

Members of Gower College Swansea’s Jazz Band, past and present, have collaborated on a special project during lockdown.

The Locked Down Chicken project is a performance of The Chicken, a well-known track by American musician Jaco Pastorius.

Gower College Swansea Virtual Annual Student Awards 2020

It's been a strange year for everyone but one thing hasn't changed - and that's the brilliance of our learners and clients.

After what has been a very unusual and challenging academic year, Gower College Swansea was delighted to hold its first Virtual Annual Student Awards ceremony.

The Virtual Awards took the form of a video hosted on the College website and featured contributions from regular MC Kev Johns MBE and the College’s Lockdown Choir, who sang a moving rendition of the classic Lean on Me.

Join us at Wales’ Virtual Open Days

Due to Covid-19 many planned events, like open days, that had been scheduled have now been cancelled.

We know how important open days can be in helping you to make up your mind about your next steps, so we’re working with the Welsh Government to bring our open day to you.

An updated message from Principal, Mark Jones: July

It is now three weeks since I last updated students, parents and guardians about how the College is preparing – initially for our return from lockdown and then for September – and a lot has happened during that time.

Firstly I‘m delighted to report that the College has now reopened albeit initially for around just 300 vocational students. This is to allow them to undertake any outstanding vocational assessments and, in doing so, to complete their course and support their progression.

Further education sector responds to Covid-19 crisis with fully subsidised training for employers

In response to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the economic wellbeing of Wales, colleges across the further education sector have come together with WEFO (Welsh European Funding Office) to develop a package of support to help and assist businesses during this time.

With the support of ESF (European Social Fund) funding, further education colleges in Wales will now be offering local businesses accredited training and development qualifications for their staff, ranging from Levels 1 to 6 that are 100% subsidised through three regional projects.