Author: Rhys Gregory

Organisations and businesses from across Wales have been shortlisted for their high-quality HR and people development practices in The CIPD Awards in Wales 2024. The CIPD, the professional body for HR and the people development, will celebrate the most prestigious individuals and organisations in the HR and people profession across the country at its annual awards ceremony. This year’s gala dinner will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday the 15th of March. With more entries this year than ever before, 80 businesses, teams and individuals have been shortlisted across nine categories. The shortlist showcases a range of…

MORE than 70 organisations from across Wales and the North West will join forces to showcase employment opportunities at a returning careers event. In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and supported by Creating Enterprise, Conwy Business Support, and Working Wales, which is delivered by Careers Wales, the popular Conwy Job Expo will be held on Thursday February 22 from 1pm to 5pm at The Barn, Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn Bay. Ahead of the big day, which is expected to attract more than 500 people of all ages, there will be a live workshop with mentors and trainers at…

An acrobatastic event awaits this February half term at Mermaid Quay which promises fun for the entire family. Featuring jaw-dropping skills, spectacular costumes, and family-friendly workshops this half term event will provide all the entertainment needed for your little ones. Taking place on Saturday 10th February and Saturday 17th February from 12:00 to 5:00pm this completely free event is the perfect half term day out. After all of the excitement you can refuel at the many venues at Mermaid Quay who have special kid-friendly menus on offer. Choose from Nandos, Pizza Express, Hub Box, and Zizzi, there’s something for everyone!

Aberdulais Tinworks and Waterfall in the heart of the Neath Valley reopened this week, and entry will be free of charge for everyone. The reopening also marks the beginning of a new partnership with St Giles Cymru, who will use the historic location for a Green Community Training, Heritage & Wellbeing Hub for people facing the greatest adversity. Aberdulais is one of Britain’s earliest industrial sites, and from February all visitors are welcomed back to explore over 400 years of history. Cared for by National Trust Cymru the waterfall, waterwheel and tinworks will be open to the public 10.30am to…

Hot on the heels of being crowned the UK’s Tree of the Year at the end of last year, a 480-year old Sweet Chestnut tree in Wrexham’s Acton Park is in the running to be crowned European Tree of the Year – with public votes open from today. The stately tree is well loved by locals for its history, value and beauty – and is often used as the centrepiece of picnics and local tree parties. It previously secured 17% of the overall votes for the Woodland Trust’s 2023 UK ‘Tree of the Year’ competition, which focused on celebrating ancient…

Producers from across the Welsh beer and spirits sectors have gathered to launch their respective strategies to improve sector collaboration and drive growth moving forward. Held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, the Welsh Beer Strategy and Welsh Spirits Strategy will help the drinks industry meet current challenges, including the cost of living crisis and spiralling energy, supply chain and raw material costs. The drinks industry remains integral to the Welsh economy, with a turnover last year of just over £820m. Beer and cider accounted for £212m of this, with spirits being £241m. This makes drinks the fourth biggest…

Hay Festival Foundation Ltd Chair Caroline Michel has this week announced the appointment of seven new members to the charity’s Board of Trustees following an open recruitment process. Based in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Hay Festival is one of the world’s best-known arts charities, running events and projects that widen access to culture in eight countries across three continents. Joining the Board are farmer, ceramicist and film producer Corisande Albert; economist Nick Butler; arts leader and digital specialist Tony Followell; tech investor Suhair Khan; historian, writer and broadcaster David Olusoga; business leader Ed Shedd; and digital content specialist Shakia Stewart. Each new…

North Wales is the place to develop low carbon energy skills – this is the clear message this week as the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) launches a new toolkit for employers. At a time marked with increasing environmental challenges and a global shift towards greener practices, the RSP is keen to redefine how employers and education providers collaborate to develop skills. The new toolkit focuses on low carbon energy, which includes a prospectus and a film highlighting success stories across the region to provide insight into the opportunities available in North Wales. Universities and Colleges in the region…

Valleys college Coleg y Cymoedd is celebrating a string of Oxbridge offers. The college, which serves learners from across Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, has seen three learners secure offers from the University of Oxford.  Eighteen-year-old Seth Olner from Pontyclun, who is currently studying A levels in History, English Literature, and Government and Politics at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, is one of the learners to have been offered a place. After achieving 5As in his History, English Lit, Law, French and Politics AS levels, and being predicted top grades in his current studies, Seth is on track to study…

Wales senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face Scotland at a sold out Principality Stadium in the opening round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations on Saturday 3 February (KO 4.45pm live on BBC and S4C). Cameron Winnett will win his first senior international cap for Wales having been named at full-back. Rio Dyer and Josh Adams are selected on the wings. At 21 years and 60 days old on Saturday, Dafydd Jenkins will become the second youngest man to captain Wales after Sir Gareth Edwards. Adam Beard partners Jenkins in the second row. Owen…