Agenda item

To receive a presentation by Grwp Llandrillo Menai.

 The Chair welcomed Mr Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive of Grwp Llandrillo Menai to the meeting.

A brief presentation was afforded to the meeting by Mr Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive of Grwp Llandrillo Menai outlining the work of the undertaken by the college together with the joint working arrangements with the local authority in delivering innovative projects on the Island.  A copy of the presentation was attached to the agenda of this meeting.

Following the presentation the following were points of discussion by the Committee:

·         Reference was made that there is a lack of trade people in the construction industry.  Questions were raised as to the total of young people attending construction courses in the College and whether there are girls’ interested in such courses.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that there has been a decrease in students undertaking construction courses in the College as there is a challenge in attaining apprenticeships for these young people.  He noted that attracting girls to the industry is a challenging. A STEM course was offered alongside a construction course a few years ago with the support of the local authority.  He further noted that he would afford the figures on the people taking construction courses to members in due course.  Further questions were raised as to whether Grwp Llandrillo Menai attend secondary schools to outline the construction course that are available.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that discussions are undertaken with the local authority and the Anglesey and Gwynedd Educational Consortia as regards to 14 to 16 provisions.  He referred to the Vocational Certificate that will be available in 2027 that will afford students to study vocational subjects alongside GCSEs.  He noted that the facilities are available in the College without the secondary schools having to invest in such provision. 

·         Questions were raised as to the vision of Grwp Llandillo Menai to the post-16 education on Anglesey. Mr Jones-Griffith responded that discussions have been ongoing with the local authority to ensure access to vocational, A level and apprenticeship courses available in the College.  He noted that there are different models as regards to post-16 education across the Country with several options available.  Several ‘A’ level courses are available at the Llangefni campus for students with mostly afforded in the Welsh language.  Further questions were raised as to the percentage of young people taking ‘A’ level course at Coleg Menai and whether the College could take over the post-16 education on Anglesey.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that 30 students are studying AS courses and 20 students studying A level course at Coleg Menai this year.   He said that there is availability at Coleg Menai, Llangefni for a post-16 education facility on the campus and Grwp Menai Llandrillo would be willing to discuss any options if there was to be further provisions on the Island.  The College could offer vocational studies alongside A level courses to students.

·         Reference was made to the Wylfa site and the potential for job opportunities if an announcement is made that there will be a nuclear provision on the site.  It was noted that Rolls-Royce, the preferred partner for potential SMR’s on the site, have said that they will be training potential workers in house rather than be trained in the local Colleges.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that discussions have been undertaken with Rolls-Royce emphasising the need for training opportunities to be afforded locally through Bangor University and Grwp Llandillo Menai. 

·         Reference was made that training in the Welsh language for young people for potential future local employment opportunities.  It was noted that this will support local young people to stay on the Island.  Questions were raised as to how long it takes to train people for these potential posts.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that it takes around 3 years to train people and businesses such as Roll-Royce have also got their own training programmes.

·         Questions were raised as to how many students study Marine Engineering and Marine Technology.  Mr Jones-Griffith responded that he would afford the information to the Members in due course.  Further questions were raised as to the transport of students to attend courses across the Grwp Llandrillo Menai campus. Mr Jones-Griffith responded that there is post-16 transport available for students to attend courses.  He noted that Welsh Government have announced that young people between 16 and 21 years of age can travel for £1 per journey across Wales to attend college courses from September 2025.    

The Chair thanked Mr Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive of Grwp Llandrillo Menai  for attending the meeting.

It was RESOLVED to note the content of the comments received during the discussion.