College News

Students prepare for Forensics skills competition

Two Applied Science students from Gower College Swansea are preparing for a regional competition that will put their powers of forensic investigation to the test.

Erin Doek and Leon Harris, who are studying the BTEC Level 3 course at the Tycoch Campus, are the first students from the College to participate in the SkillsCompetitionWales Forensic Science event, which takes place at Coleg Gwent on 31 January.

On the day, Erin and Leon will be up against four other teams faced with a realistic crime scenario to analyse and investigate.

Five students enter the WorldSkills Talent Programme

Five students from Gower College Swansea have won places in the WorldSkills Long Squad after coming top in their fields in the National Finals in November.

Liam Hughes, Ben Lewis, Rhys Watts and Nathan Evans were four of the five winners in the Industrial Electronics category, while Paulina Skoczek won a place for Restaurant Services.

Advancing into Further Education and beyond

Former Engineering Technology student Joe Snelling has successfully progressed onto an apprenticeship with OEM Engineering in Llansamlet.

Joe started at Gower College Swansea on the Bridge Programme, where he stood out for his talent, strong work ethic and mature attitude towards college and his future career.

The Bridge Programme, now known as Advance into Further Education, is aimed at school leavers who are undecided about their future career path.

College shortlisted for four TES FE awards

Gower College Swansea has been shortlisted in four categories at the prestigious TES FE Awards 2020.

The TES FE Awards celebrate the dedication and expertise of the people and teams who make a significant contribution to improving the skills levels of young people and adult learners.

Gower College Swansea has been shortlisted in the following categories:

Maths competition success for students

Gower College Swansea recently entered a group of A Level students for the UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge, a 90-minute multiple-choice competition aimed at learners from across the UK.

The Challenge encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.

The students brought home an impressive medals haul - eight achieved Gold, 16 brought home Silver and a further 11 won Bronze.

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.