Author name: G Evans

Coleg Gwent takes centre stage at WorldSkills UK final as Wales hosts competition for first time ever Coleg Gwent was selected as one of only five locations across South Wales to play host to the WorldSkills UK finals last week (26/27 November) — as the competition took place in Wales for the first time in the country’s history. Six talented students from Coleg Gwent were selected from hundreds of entrants to compete in the competition final — in recognition of their skills across a range of disciplines. They competed in everything from hairdressing and beauty to 3D Game Art — successfully bringing home one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Nicola Gamlin, Coleg Gwent’s Principal said: “We’re incredibly proud of our students competing at the WorldSkills UK Finals. Their achievements reflect the high-quality skills, teaching and resources available at Coleg Gwent.” She added: “These competitions give young people invaluable experiences — opening their eyes to new possibilities, building their confidence and showcasing the exceptional potential within our region.” The silver medal was awarded to 18-year-old Shakaya Powell, a trainee beauty therapist from Newport. Shakaya has always had a passion for creativity and is so dedicated to perfecting her craft, that she frequently went into college on her days off to refine routines and perfect her skills.   While studying her course at Coleg Gwent, Shakaya was also supporting a close friend through her battle with cancer — a battle her friend sadly lost. The experience was heartbreaking for Shakaya, but it strengthened her determination to succeed.  In her first year competing in the beauty category, Shakaya said: “My best friend passed away on the day I found out I was a World Skills UK Finalist — which was devastating but at the same time I believe it was a sign from her telling me to carry on and compete for her. Balancing my studies with grief was tough at times, but I’ve realised that if you are determined and you set your mind on something, anything is possible.  “Being in the competition has been an incredible experience. It has not only opened the door to new opportunities, but it has also helped me to develop my skills, while giving me the chance to form some amazing friendships along the way”.  Coleg Gwent student, Phoebe Miller, brought home a gold medal for her achievements in hairdressing. The 19-year-old from Newport competed in the Welsh Skills competition last year and won a silver medal — but Phoebe returned this year and grasped her hard-earned gold medal after spending extra time perfecting her craft. Gold winner, Phoebe said: “When they announced I’d won, I cried. All the hard work had finally paid off. I never imagined I’d get this far — being part of WorldSkills has shown me what’s possible if you just keep trying.” In addition to hosting the World Skills Final, Coleg Gwent held a skills showcase event for local secondary schools from across the region. The event was designed to offer young learners the chance to explore the breadth of opportunities available at the college, while also having the chance to acquire a new skill. Pupils from Newport High School, St Julian’s School, Bedwas High School and Llanwern High School attended the event where they took part in a range of hands-on skills demonstrations and explored a freshers’-fair-style employers’ exhibition. Richard Wheeler, Skills Competition Manager said: “Having WorldSkills UK Finals hosted at Coleg Gwent has given our students and the local school children an incredible opportunity to see high-level skills in action.” WorldSkills UK is a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments — which works to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education to help transform the UK into a ‘skills economy’. In support of this, the annual WorldSkills UK competition seeks to recognise and celebrate the exceptional work and skills being showcased at local colleges, training providers, workplaces and online education platforms across the country. Coleg Gwent is a Further Education college with five campuses, Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, City of Newport, Crosskeys, Torfaen Learning Zone and Usk.    For more information on learning opportunities at Coleg Gwent, please telephone 01495 333777, email hello@coleggwent.ac.uk, or visit www.coleggwent.ac.uk    

Tonypandy Business Improvement District given green light, supporting investment and development. Businesses in Tonypandy have voted to develop a Business Improvement District (BID) in the historic town to support future investment and development.The decision comes as the town also prepares to undertake extensive business and public consultation on the exciting Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy. Importantly, the work of the Tonypandy BID will be driven by the input of local businesses and organisations, following successful models already implemented by Your Pontypridd, Our Aberdare and Love Treorchy. Both Pontypridd and Treorchy have secured UK-wide success in the Great British High Street Awards, winning the “Wales’ Best High Street” and “Best Independent UK High Street” categories respectively in recent years. Proposals to develop a BID for Tonypandy were approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet in early July 2024, with approval secured from Welsh Government, via the Transforming Towns fund, to complete the process. All eligible businesses and organisations were invited to have their say via a vote. Twenty five businesses voted, with 17 in favour and eight against. Of those who voted, 68% voted in favour of the BID. A BID is an area where traders, linked to their business rates, pay into a levy that acts as a shared fund to be used for projects in the local town centre – while also drawing on other funding avenues to support this activity. There are 14 BIDs in Wales, including the three mentioned above. Tonypandy is an historic town centre with deep roots in the County Borough’s proud industrial legacy. While it faces its challenges, it has potential for a sustainable future with the right partnerships, support and investment. Located alongside the Rhondda river and served by major roads and the main Valleys train line from Cardiff, it’s a place that could be enjoyed by those looking for a welcoming high street with a range of places to eat, drink, shop and relax. The significant history and heritage of the area, as well as the stunning landscape in which it stands, with country parks, mountain walks and wildlife, is also a further draw to the town centre for visitors and residents. Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “Business Improvement Districts bring local businesses together with the aim of improving retail areas and enhancing their sustainability. “The power of their success is working together to identify opportunities and improvements – from improving bus services to organising events to bring people into the town. We have seen how effective they can be across the three BIDs currently operating within Rhondda Cynon Taf. “Tonypandy has a growing and active Chamber of Trade that has ambitions for more financing and funding and a BID will help establish a model for that future investment, development and growth. “We are pleased the process of developing a Tonypandy BID is now agreed and we look forward to sharing with businesses, residents and visitors alike the next stages and news in this process. “This is an important time for Tonypandy as local businesses begin the creation of their BID and prepare for the significant final consultation on the Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy.” A feasibility study for a Tonypandy BID took place in late 2023, with interviews across 56 businesses in the core retail area. In total, 68% of the participants believed the proposal should progress to the ballot stage, while 22% said they would be interested in taking on a leadership role in the BID. The businesses put forward suggestions for what a potential BID programme could focus on – from enhancing the CCTV provision to implementing a street warden service, lobbying of bus services, and expanding the town’s events programme. Welsh Government has also recognised the positive contribution that BIDs can make to establishing vibrant town centres, and has invited funding applications to its Transforming Towns Fund for initial development stages. Any successful bid to the Transforming Towns Fund would require 25% match funding from the Council – this would be met using existing resources. Source: RCT CBC