Coleg Cambria is working with employers to deliver bespoke training on staff health and wellbeing, covering areas including mental health, stress management, menopause awareness, suicide awareness and prevention, and workplace wellbeing.
The programmes are delivered through Cambria for Business. Organisations to have accessed the training include Tata Steel, Fibrax, Proctorseal, ICA Group, Reacta Healthcare, Woodlands Ltd, P&A Group, Redbrook, Kronospan, Theatr Clwyd, Toyota and Kingspan.
Courses include Mental Health First Aider Wales, NEBOSH Managing Stress at Work and Understanding Menopause in the Workplace, and bespoke programmes can also be developed around the individual needs of an organisation.
Cambria offers mental health programmes ranging from workplace-awareness courses to in-depth qualifications, alongside flexible and part-time learning options.
Gari Thomas, Employer Engagement Manager at Coleg Cambria, said: “We are here to listen to employers, understand what they need and then work with our curriculum teams to put together training which delivers for their organisation and their people.”
He added: “We can deliver at an employer’s premises, or at our sites including Yale, Deeside and Northop, and at Llysfasi, whichever is most convenient.”
Claire Williams, Curriculum Director for Health, Social Care and Childcare, said: “The workplace has changed enormously in recent years and employers increasingly recognise that supporting health and wellbeing is an important part of developing and retaining a strong workforce.”
One organisation to have used the training is Fibrax Ltd, a Wrexham-based manufacturer of polymeric components, whose staff have taken part in a menopause awareness course.
Manufacturing Director Kevin Rimmer said: “While we have worked with Coleg Cambria for many years for ‘traditional’ occupational qualifications like apprenticeships and management training, we approached the college last year for help in improving our employee welfare provision and their response was truly excellent.”
The college has also worked with Wrexham-based Woodlands Ltd, which provides specialist care, education and therapeutic support for young people.
Craig Williams, Training and Development Lead, said: “Our experience with Coleg Cambria has been overwhelmingly positive. All our staff, including myself, feel well supported whenever we engage with the college.”
Further opportunities are available through the Supporting Employability and Skills in Wrexham project, backed by the Local Growth Fund, which gives eligible employers access to subsidised workforce training.
The programme is open to businesses of all sizes, with Cambria’s Employer Engagement team helping to identify skills gaps and suitable training. Eligible businesses can access up to 100% subsidised training, subject to criteria.
