COLEG CAMBRIA has launched a suite of new higher education qualifications designed to equip the next generation of agricultural leaders in Wales.

The state-of-the-art land-based college, which has campuses in Wrexham, Deeside, Northop and Llysfasi, has unveiled Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes aimed at future farm managers, shepherds, farmers, and rural business professionals.

The new courses will be delivered at the college’s Llysfasi campus near Ruthin, where a £10 million Innovation Hub – Hwb Arloesi – was recently opened. Plans have also been submitted for a 50-bedroom student accommodation block to support the growing demand for agricultural education in the region.

Modules on offer include Business and Business Environment, Managing a Successful Project, Principles of Livestock Production, Animal Health and Welfare, Land-based Machinery and Technology, and Rural Business Administration and Accounting.

Emma Hurst, Dean of Access and Higher Education at Coleg Cambria, said the new qualifications are designed to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

“These programmes provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge, advanced technical skills, and the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers across the land-based industries,” she said.

“In addition to access to expert lecturers and guest speakers, students on the HNC and HND programmes benefit from hands-on experience at Llysfasi’s commercial 1,000-acre farm, which includes dairy, suckler, and sheep enterprises.

“With developments in precision agriculture, smart farming technologies and new environmental challenges, there’s never been a more exciting time to enter the sector – and no better place to learn than Coleg Cambria.”

The Hwb Arloesi development, backed by more than £5.9 million from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, spans 1,095 square metres across two carbon-neutral storeys. Built by Wrexham-based Read Construction, the facility includes classrooms, laboratories, a library, coffee shop, climbing wall, meeting spaces, atrium, Higher Education centre, and a wellbeing hub.

Elin Roberts, Head of Llysfasi, praised the impact the new building has already had.

“The hub is incredible – the equipment, teaching and learning spaces, and overall environment are unmatched in this region,” she said.

“It’s a huge boost for both students and staff. Those enrolling on our FE and HE agriculture programmes now have access to cutting-edge facilities in a welcoming, innovative learning environment.

“This is the perfect time to choose Coleg Cambria as the next step in your agricultural career.”

For more information on the new agriculture courses at Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk, email he@cambria.ac.uk, or call 01978 515477. Follow Coleg Cambria on social media for updates.

Over 7,000 jobs and £914 million in spending underline Wales’ role in national security

WALES is set to benefit significantly from a major increase in UK Government spending on defence, with the country already a key player in the sector through cutting-edge technology and innovation.

New figures reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) spends £290 per person in Wales and directly supports over 7,700 jobs. In 2023–24, the MOD spent £914 million with industry and commerce in Wales – an increase of £86 million on the previous year.

The country’s contribution to defence was highlighted during a ministerial visit to North Wales on Thursday (Apr 3), where Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith visited Teledyne Qioptiq Ltd in St Asaph. The company develops advanced electro-optic technology used in defence programmes such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Challenger 2 tanks. It also provides essential support to infantry forces through the STAS contract.

Dame Nia Griffith said:
“The defence industry is a cornerstone of our national security and economic prosperity.

“All of the MOD’s top five suppliers have a footprint in Wales, which puts us in a strong position to benefit from increased defence spending.

“Companies like Qioptiq are not only driving innovation, but also providing high-quality jobs and contributing significantly to our local and national economy.

“The UK Government’s top priority is kickstarting economic growth. By investing in the defence sector, we safeguard national security, create new jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Peter White, Managing Director of Qioptiq, added:
“It is a privilege to continue playing our part in keeping our troops and society safe.”

Across Wales, the defence sector includes over 160 companies employing more than 20,000 people. The industry’s importance is set to grow further following the Prime Minister’s recent pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

As part of that investment, the Chancellor confirmed in the Autumn Budget that £975 million will be allocated to the UK aerospace sector over the next five years – with £49 million already earmarked for projects in Wales.

While in North Wales, Dame Nia also visited Wagtail UK in Mostyn – an award-winning company that provides detection dogs and training services to clients including the UK Border Force, HMRC, Police, Trading Standards, and the Armed Forces.

Wales could benefit from £3bn growth annually if indoor mobile dead zones were eliminated, survey finds.

RESEARCH from Freshwave, a connectivity infrastructure provider, highlights how improving indoor mobile coverage could significantly enhance productivity across Wales. According to the 2025 Freshwave Mobile Connectivity ROI Index, poor indoor mobile signal currently costs Welsh organisations an estimated £4bn every year, with businesses, hospitals, and public buildings suffering from inefficiencies caused by mobile blackspots.

The index reveals that 82% of Welsh organisations experience daily connectivity issues, which have a direct impact on both employee productivity and customer satisfaction. Survey respondents believe that resolving these connectivity problems could lead to a substantial 2.1% increase in Wales’ GDP—surpassing the UK-wide average of 1.6%.

In light of these findings, the Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy for Wales aims to use technology to improve lives and enhance productivity across the nation. This is particularly timely, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made economic productivity a key priority amid discussions of avoiding further tax increases.

Impact on Welsh businesses and public sector

Organisations with more than 100 employees are reporting that indoor mobile connectivity problems cost them an average of £143m annually, which translates to a collective £4bn loss across the Welsh economy. Respondents believe that improving mobile coverage—whether through 4G or 5G—would address these productivity barriers and contribute to significant efficiency gains. Many also anticipate higher budgets for mobile connectivity improvements, with 68% planning to increase their investments over the next two years.

CEO comments on the need for action

Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, explained: “The Welsh economy simply cannot afford to lose billions every year. Investments in digital infrastructure over the past decade have set the stage for progress. Now, we need to ensure that seamless mobile connectivity is available where it’s needed most. This could result in a £3bn boost to Welsh organisations.”

Frumkin added, “By working alongside mobile network operators, we can unlock the full economic potential of 4G and 5G connectivity, driving innovation and efficiency across all sectors.”

National context: Public sector hit hardest

Across the UK, the public sector is the most affected by indoor mobile connectivity issues, with losses of £46bn annually and missed opportunities worth £33bn. The professional and financial services sector also faces significant losses, amounting to £24bn annually, with potential gains of £17bn.

Notes to Editors
Research methodology: A survey of 900 senior IT decision-makers from medium and large organisations across the UK was conducted in December 2024. Participants represented sectors including government, healthcare, professional services, and more, with all respondents from organisations with over 100 employees and revenues exceeding £50 million.

About Freshwave: Freshwave is a connectivity infrastructure provider that simplifies digital infrastructure. Backed by DigitalBridge, Freshwave collaborates with mobile operators, governments, and real estate providers to ensure reliable connectivity across the UK. Visit www.freshwavegroup.com for more information.