Education

Schools consultation fixed by Welsh Government

Published

9 years ago

February 24, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Schools protest at County Hall last year

EXCLUSIVE

NEW LIGHT has been shed on the role of the Welsh Government’s Education department in the saga of the consultation on the future of post-16 education in Haverfordwest.

After denying that the Welsh Government had ‘a preferred solution’ for sixth form education in the County, an email has emerged which casts doubt not only on that assertion but on the integrity of the whole process of consultation.

Last week, the Welsh Government denied that it had ever expressed any preference for any solution in relation to sixth form education in North and Mid Pembrokeshire.

The issue arose from the content of a letter sent by Pembrokeshire College Principal Sharron Lusher to Council chief Ian Westley in September last year.

In that letter, Ms Lusher referred on a number of occasions to the Welsh Education Department having a preferred option, it appeared for the reorganisation of sixth form education.

After the Welsh Government denied it had any preferred solution for the future of post-16 education, Ms Lusher responded that such views as the Welsh Government had expressed were limited to questions of governance.

Her response rather left the question hanging as to why the Welsh Government would express any preference for the governance arrangements of any institution unless it had a clear idea as to what the outcome of the supposed ‘consultation’ on its future was going to be.

Now, The Herald has been passed an email from the Welsh Government’s Deputy Head of Further Education, Andrew Clarke, to County Education Head Kate Evans Hughes.

That email, dated July last year, says: “Taking everything into account, I would struggle to make an argument for anything other than … to set up a sixth form centre under the governance of Pembrokeshire College.”

That email drives a coach and horses through any supposed role the Welsh Government might have in impartially deciding the outcome of the consultation, which at the time that assertion was made had not even finished.

The email puts in doubt the good faith of the Council in dealing with the Trustees of the Tasker-Milward and Picton charity after that point, especially bearing in mind the flat lie in the briefing document prepared for councillors which alleges those Trustees were insistent on an 11-19 school being sited at the site of Tasker-Milward School.

When The Herald discussed the issue of local determination with Plaid Cymru Education spokesperson and candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, he expressed grave concerns about the role of the Welsh Government’s Education Department and its apparent intervention in the consultation process.

After the Council’s shambolic conduct of the consultation on secondary education, it appears as though all the options supposed to be on offer boil down to Hobson’s choice. That particularly appears to be the case after the most recent seminar for county councillors, on Monday, Feb 22, at which officers detailed the Council’s legal strategy in the event of any challenge to the decision it has not yet made but which Jamie Adams, the IPPG, and officers plainly intend to make, come hell or high water.

Education

College officially opens ‘state-of-the-art’ Energy Transition Skills Hub

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire College is delighted to announce the official opening of its Energy Transition Skills Hub, supported by Shell UK, on the College site in Haverfordwest.

The Energy Transition Skills Hub is one of three being launched that will focus on providing people with the skills and knowledge to find employment in energy projects through an immersive and interactive learning experience.

More than 50 representatives from local industry joined Anthony Harte (Head of Social Impact for Shell UK), Paul Davies (MS), Sam Kurtz (MS), Simon Ames (Managing Director Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy), and College and Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams, as they officially opened the Hub.

During the opening Anthony Harte, Head of Social Impact, Shell UK commented: “We want as many people as possible to benefit from the energy system of the future. And we’ve seen this coming to life in Pembrokeshire with the first new energy transition skills hub. This is part of our ambition to support 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. It is the latest important step to ensure the energy transition is an opportunity for everyone.”

Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy Sam Kurtz added: “The opportunities offered to students by the Energy Transition Skills Hub match the ambitions that Pembrokeshire has in the green and renewable energy sector. This is an exciting investment and a statement of commitment from Shell UK, Dragon Energy and Pembrokeshire College into developing the skilled workforce of today and the future.

“Pembrokeshire College has quickly become a real centre of excellence, and I congratulate everyone for flying the flag proudly for our part of the world.”

Aiming to train 600 individuals by July 2026, providing Pembrokeshire and West Wales with a pool of talent that will have the knowledge and experience of control systems needed for projects such as offshore floating wind farms and the Haven hydrogen power plants. Current Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams brought the learner perspective to the opening: “The past four years of my apprenticeship have been nothing short of amazing. Whilst onsite I have had the privilege of working with some of the most experienced and talented professionals in the industry and spent one day a week in College where the lecturers are just as passionate and inspiring. The blend of practical, hands-on work and theoretical learning through my qualifications has been incredibly rewarding.

“Today, having toured this incredible new process control simulator, and experimented with the software, I can’t help but feel excited about the future. This facility is truly state-of-the-art, and it’s going to further elevate an already outstanding programme in the energy sector. I can’t wait to make the most of this space as I continue to learn and grow in my field.

“The suite will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineers, equipping us with the skills needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

College Principal, Dr Barry Walters added: “This cutting-edge Skills Hub will enable training in control systems for a wide range of sectors including: Offshore Floating Wind; Hydrogen Plant; Solar PV; Tidal/Marine and gas power stations and comes at an important time for the energy sector.

“We would like to thank Shell UK, Dragon LNG, the Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Fund and City and Guilds along with industry partners and local Members of the Senedd, Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz for supporting this important facility which will not only train college learners and industry professionals but will also support the local community and schools by giving them the opportunity to understand more about how energy transition will impact the way we live and work in the future.”

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens added: “I’m delighted that UK Government funding, via the Swansea Bay City Deal, is being used for such a great facility. Pembrokeshire has an important part to play in achieving our mission for clean energy by 2030.

“This training facility will mean that local people will be able to gain the skills they need to access the good jobs of the future.”

Education

‘State-of-the-art’ energy transition skills hub opened by Pembrokeshire College

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Madeline Knox

Opening on the college site in Haverfordwest, the Energy Transition Skills Hubs is one of three being launched. It will focus on providing people with the skills and knowledge to find employment in energy projects through an immersive and interactive learning experience.

“Pembrokeshire College has quickly become a real centre of excellence, and I congratulate everyone for flying the flag proudly for our part of the world.”

The aim is to train 600 people by July 2026, this will supply Pembrokeshire with an expanse of talent that will have the knowledge and experience of control systems needed for projects such as offshore floating wind farms and the Haven hydrogen power plants.

Current Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams brought the learner perspective to the opening: “The past four years of my apprenticeship have been nothing short of amazing. Whilst on site I have had the privilege of working with some of the most experienced and talented professionals in the industry and spent one day a week in College where the lecturers are just as passionate and inspiring. The blend of practical, hands-on work and theoretical learning through my qualifications has been incredibly rewarding.”

“The suite will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineers, equipping us with the skills needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

“This training facility will mean that local people will be able to gain the skills they need to access the good jobs of the future.”

#PoweringProgress

Education

Pupils across west Wales benefit from Welsh Water education programmes

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WELSH WATER has marked a ground-breaking year for its Education Programme, reaching 14,000 learners in west Wales between September 2023 and July 2024.

The education programme, which has grown since the launch of the strategy in 1998, offers a broad range of free and practical learning opportunities within classrooms. Led by the National Curriculum for Wales and tackling several topics, the not-for-profit company has expanded its provision across schools in the region – providing widespread access to teaching and learning resources.

The assembly and workshop provision, which targets formal education settings, encourages future generations to consider how much water they use, builds awareness of Dŵr Cymru’s role in the water cycle, and highlights the impact of disposing of items such as cotton-wool buds, wet-wipes and fat, into sewers. The provision also inspires an early interest is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), an interest in the water industry and demonstrates the breadth of career opportunities available.

The Education Team at Welsh Water has dedicated 155 hours to teaching pupils in west Wales through 96 school visits and 195 sessions, employing an industry-unique approach of annually seconding teachers for a professional development opportunity with the company for one year. The programme has continued to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from schools, who have praised the efforts to broaden pupils’ experiences, knowledge, and skills. All sessions are aligned with the four purposes underpinning the National Curriculum for Wales and are offered free of charge, ensuring a valuable and accessible educational experience.

Templeton C.P. School, said of their visit in March: “Fantastic workshop, children were engaged throughout. Fantastic delivery and excellent practical activities, allowing children to solve the problem independently and encouraged teamwork.”

Ysgol Croesgoch, said of their visit in March: “Interesting and informative. Great use of numeracy skills. Fun, interactive workshop that really illustrated how much water we use in a day.”

Claire Roberts, Head of Community Engagement, said: “We are thrilled to witness the remarkable reach of our Education Programme this year. Engaging with over 90,000 learners across Wales and Hereford is a testament to our commitment to educating the younger generation about water efficiency and the environment. Our innovative approach, including the secondment of teachers, has been instrumental in delivering a rich educational experience that resonates with both pupils and teachers alike.”

Welsh Water’s commitment to educating the younger generation about the value of water has led to a long-standing reputation within schools across Wales and Hereford. Since the launch of its education strategy, the company has worked with more than 800,000 pupils. The education program continues to deliver to tens of thousands of pupils every year, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills required to protect our most precious resource.