Author: Rhys Gregory

A new £5m Innovation Fund is to be established to support Further Education (FE) colleges look at new ways to support learners, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles has announced. The fund will invest in projects which aim to support learners in key areas including skill development, wellbeing and resilience and adaptability while helping FE colleges work together. Supporting creative solutions is at the heart of the fund; encouraging colleges to explore new ways of working and continuing to ensure Wales is a place where people of all ages receive a high-quality education. Colleges have already implemented…

An internationally recognised research chemist, Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS, has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser. As the new Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Professor Badyal will provide science advice to the First Minister and Welsh Ministers. He will also be responsible for developing the Welsh Government’s science capability and supporting the growth of a strong and dynamic science and research base in Wales. Professor Badyal is currently Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. He is renowned for his pioneering research on the functionalisation of solid surfaces and deposition of functional nanolayers for…

More than 100 Swansea school pupils have been trained to encourage classmates to get active – and improve their health. They were mentored by Swansea Council sport and health officers and now have the title young ambassador for sport in their schools. The scheme has been run by the council for more than a decade and inspires young people aged nine to 14. The young leaders can deliver sports activities, games and physical literacy sessions in schools and local sports clubs Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “I’m delighted that high numbers of young people across Swansea are taking on…

IT’S game on for a cutting-edge college course that has moved through the levels since being launched a year ago. The popular Esports programme at Coleg Cambria has grown in popularity and is attracting learners from across the region to a bespoke, state-of-the-art facility in Deeside. As well as completing modules in areas such as Games Design, Live-Streamed Broadcasting, Producing an Esports Brand, and Video Production as part of the Level 2 Diploma, a further Level 3 Diploma in Esports – Digital Marketing and Enterprise has been developed. Esports is a booming multi-billion dollar sector, and with their squad the…

Wales Air Ambulance Charity is flying high after being chosen as the charity of the year by Swansea Bay Business Club for 2023. The Charity, which provides vital 24/7 emergency air cover for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries across Wales, will benefit from all funds raised by the networking group as its President’s Chosen Charity this year. Fundraising collections will take place at all Swansea Bay Business Club celebration events, which bring together hundreds of leading businesspeople from across south and west Wales. The networking group will also support Wales Air Ambulance by encouraging its members to engage…

Local school children have created eye-catching artwork to decorate the hoardings of Cardiff’s newest care home. Students from St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School were invited by Care UK to get creative with a piece of artwork around the theme of ‘who do you care about?’ to decorate the hoardings surrounding the new Llys Herbert care home, on Ty-Draw Road. The purpose-built care home – which is expected to welcome the first residents in July 2023 – will provide full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 75 older people, with facilities including its own cinema, hair salon, café…

As part of its annual promotion round, leading Cardiff law firm Geldards has announced a raft of promotions including three new partners across different disciplines. The new partner promotions recognise contribution to the ongoing success and growth of the firm and came into effect from 1st January, bringing total number of partners at the firm to 62. Senior Associates promoted to Partner include: Clare Hardy – Public Sector Laura Alliss – Probate Litigation Kevin McManamon, Education In the Public Sector team Clare Hardy has been promoted to Partner, where she will continue to advise on a range of public law…

Last week, University of South Wales (USW) hosted a major international security event in Newport, held at ICC Wales and USW Newport campus. In its 32nd year, EuroSim is an annual, interuniversity, simulation of the European Union (EU). It provides students with a simulation of a major EU issue. The simulations themselves are held over a period of four days, with the venue alternating between the U.S. and Europe annually. Supported by Newport City Council, EuroSim was hosted in the UK for the first time. It was attended by over 150 students from across North America, the UK, and Europe.…

Corris Railway is appealing for votes after being shortlisted for a national award in recognition of two projects to revive the Mid Wales line. Steam Railway magazine and the Heritage Railway Association are inviting their readers and members to vote at www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards/ for the most impressive projects carried forward or completed in the last year. The pair of Corris projects that have earned the railway its place on the shortlist are  the ongoing redevelopment of Corris station and the first steaming of its new steam locomotive. Corris station has a new platform and a revised track layout which includes a traverser…

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has opened entries for its highly anticipated Wales Business Awards 2023. The awards provide SME businesses across the country with the opportunity to compete for Wales’ most prestigious accolades. This year will be particularly special as the Wales Business Awards celebrates 20 years. Over the past two decades, hundreds of Welsh businesses have been honoured by the awards for their innovation, resilience and creativity. The application process is now open and will close on 17 February, with finalists set to be announced at the end of March. Entrants can submit their nominations…