A PLANNED extraordinary general meeting of the Welsh Rugby Union could now be called off after the district that pushed for it said its main objectives had been achieved following two high-profile departures from the game’s leadership.

Central Glamorgan Rugby Union had secured enough backing from clubs to force the WRU into holding the meeting on Monday, April 13. The district had tabled three motions, including votes of no confidence in WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall.

But the district has now written to clubs saying it intends to withdraw all three motions, arguing there is no longer a need for the EGM in its current form. That follows confirmation that Collier-Keywood will step down on July 16 after deciding not to seek a second term, while Wall left his role in March at the end of his tenure.

In its letter, Central Glamorgan said the exits of both men, together with the prospect of fresh talks with the WRU board over governance reform, meant the campaign had already achieved its key aims. The district said it now wanted constructive engagement with the WRU over future governance changes, including the way council representatives are elected to the board.

A WRU spokesperson said the union was aware of the letter sent to member clubs and was awaiting direct correspondence from Central Glamorgan.

The row had developed against the backdrop of deepening unrest in Welsh rugby over the WRU’s controversial proposal to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three by June 2027. Those plans have triggered fierce criticism, protests and legal action, particularly over fears for the future of the Ospreys.

While the latest letter did not directly settle that issue, Central Glamorgan urged the WRU to pause its plans for the professional game and publish all the evidence behind any decision before moving forward. The district also called on the union to engage with an alternative proposal aimed at preserving all four professional sides.

Central Glamorgan thanked clubs across Wales for their support, saying they had come together to safeguard the future of the game. The district added that Welsh rugby remained at a critical moment, but said it hoped the latest developments would lead to greater openness, respect and transparency between the WRU and its member clubs.

I can also give you a sharper Herald-style headline and subheadline for this.

THE WELSH brewing industry is set for a major boost after funding was secured to roll out a new Level 4 Brewing Diploma across Wales.

The Welsh Government Drinks Cluster, working in partnership with FDQ and Medr Cymru, has backed the advanced qualification, which is aimed at developing highly skilled brewers and strengthening the industry’s long-term competitiveness.

Welcoming the move, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said the qualification would help secure the future of the sector.

He said: “The brewing sector forms an important part of Wales’ food and drink landscape, contributing to local economies, skills and innovation. Welsh breweries continue to demonstrate ambition, innovation and a commitment to quality, and this new qualification will give them the tools they need to keep building on that success.

“By supporting the introduction of the Level 4 Brewing Diploma, we are investing directly in the future of the industry, ensuring brewers can access the high-level technical training required to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

“This training will help secure long-term growth, enhance skills across the sector, and further strengthen Wales’ reputation for producing exceptional beer. It is a significant and very welcome step forward for brewing in Wales.”

The diploma has been developed by FDQ, a specialist awarding organisation for the food and drink industry. The body provides accredited qualifications, apprenticeship assessments and training solutions, and is the only organisation in the UK with dedicated brewing apprenticeship expertise.

The Level 4 Brewing Diploma is the first advanced brewing qualification of its kind to be delivered through an awarding organisation operating in both Wales and England.

It has been designed to give learners a deeper understanding of brewing operations, quality control, process optimisation and technical decision-making. The course is intended for those already working in the brewing sector, as well as learners seeking advanced professional skills that meet industry standards and employer expectations.

To make sure the qualification reflected the needs of the Welsh brewing industry, a working group was formed involving five breweries of different sizes and production styles. Those involved were Felinfoel Brewery, Monty’s Brewery, Magic Dragon Brewery, Purple Moose Brewery and Wild Horse Brewing Co.

The group brought together a broad range of experience, from long-established family breweries to fast-growing modern craft producers.

Monty’s Brewery, a mid Wales craft brewery known for its award-winning ales, was among those involved in shaping the diploma.

Director Pamela Honeyman said: “We’re proud to have contributed to the development of this diploma. Access to advanced technical training is essential for driving quality, efficiency and innovation, and the Level 4 Brewing Diploma will give our team the opportunity to develop new skills and progress within the industry. It’s a hugely positive development for Welsh brewing.”

Llandudno-based Wild Horse Brewing Co, known for its modern and flavour-driven beers, also took part in the working group.

Managing director Dave Faragher said: “Being part of the working group has ensured the diploma reflects the realities of modern brewing. The opportunity for Welsh brewers to benefit from industry-led, practical and technical training is incredibly valuable. We’re delighted to have helped shape it and look forward to seeing the impact across the sector.”

The new qualification is intended to help tackle skills gaps and support employers looking to develop talent from within their businesses.

The diploma is now live, and Welsh brewers can apply immediately. The programme is open to breweries across Wales, with applicants able to apply for both a place on the diploma and funding support.

Matthew Bell, Head of Engagement at FDQ, said: “The launch of the Level 4 Brewing Diploma represents a significant advancement for skills development within the Welsh brewing industry. It has been designed by the industry to equip learners with the higher-level technical knowledge and practical competence required for roles such as head brewer and production lead, integrating comprehensive brewing science, operations management and sustainability principles into a regulated, workplace-focused framework.

“This diploma supports apprentices at a pivotal stage in their career, fostering both industry expertise and long-term professional progression.”

If you want, I can also turn this into a more Herald-style version with a stronger intro and tighter quotes.

Students trained at public expense urged to take lower-grade jobs as anger grows over NHS workforce planning

NEWLY qualified paramedics in Wales have been told there are no jobs available for them this year, with the Welsh Ambulance Service instead urging graduates to consider applying for technician roles or seeking work elsewhere.

The development marks a major escalation in a row already exposed by The Herald, which revealed that final-year student paramedics had been told there would be no newly qualified paramedic posts available in Wales during the 2026-27 financial year. A second Herald report then disclosed an internal email sent after a board meeting on Wednesday, March 26, confirming that the trust “does not require any NQPs” this year.

That internal message, seen by The Herald, said employing newly qualified paramedics in 2026 was “simply not affordable” and stated that the service currently had “more paramedics than required” and enough lead practitioners to cover short and medium-term vacancies.

Now, in an on-the-record statement, Carl Kneeshaw, Director of People at the Welsh Ambulance Service, has publicly confirmed the same position.

He said the service was navigating a “difficult financial and operational landscape” and that recruitment decisions had to be based on current staffing levels, service demand, workforce skill mix and affordability.

Mr Kneeshaw said: “Regrettably, as things stand, we are not in a position to employ newly qualified paramedics this year.”

He said graduates wanting to build a career with the Welsh Ambulance Service should explore other opportunities, including Emergency Medical Technician roles, and also consider positions with other ambulance services and organisations across health and social care.

For many students, that will be a bitter blow. They have spent three years training specifically to qualify as paramedics, often on publicly supported courses, only to now be told they may need to take lower-grade frontline roles or look beyond Wales for work.

The row has now triggered political backlash.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar described the situation as “staggering and deeply frustrating”.

He said: “We are training paramedics at public expense, only to tell them there are no jobs for them in Wales and they should consider going abroad.

“At a time when ambulance response times are still far too long and patients are coming to harm and waiting in pain, this simply makes no sense.”

Mr Millar said the development showed a serious failure in NHS workforce planning and accused the Welsh Labour Government of mishandling the situation.

The controversy also revives wider questions about how NHS staffing is being planned in Wales.

The Herald previously reported that opportunities for newly qualified paramedics had already been shrinking, with only around a third of 2025 graduates initially securing paramedic posts, while others were instead offered technician roles.

For critics, the contradiction is obvious: Wales is helping fund the training of future paramedics, but the ambulance service is now telling at least some of those graduates to take lower-grade roles, apply elsewhere, or even seek work overseas.

The Welsh Ambulance Service, however, is likely to argue that the decision reflects financial pressures and the current make-up of its workforce, rather than any lack of respect for newly qualified staff.

With the Senedd election due on Thursday, May 7, the issue is fast becoming more than an employment dispute. It is shaping up as a test of whether ministers can justify spending public money training frontline NHS staff while the national ambulance service says it cannot afford to hire them.