Community

Skills competitions for young people with additional learning needs

Published

3 years ago

June 21, 2023

Tom Sinclair

SKILLS competitions are kickstarting careers for young people with additional learning needs

Bluestone is just one business in Wales giving competitors paid job placements

Young people with additional learning needs are being given a platform to showcase their skills in a competitive environment to help secure placements in the working world.

King, Morgan and Cecily, from Pembrokeshire, are just one group of learners whose performance at Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills UK has helped them land paid work experience.

They are currently on a supported internship programme with major Welsh employer, Bluestone National Park Resort, having impressed the award-winning resort destination after their triumph in skills competitions.

The trio, who started out at Pembrokeshire College’s Life Skills Academy, are now gaining real work experience in a range of placements within the IT, food and beverage, retail, and housekeeping industries.

King Khamhanphon, who works at Bluestone’s café, said: “I work at the café at Bluestone and really enjoy it because of the team. I feel very supported and am currently a semi-finalist in the inclusive competition Restaurant Service category for WorldSkills UK’s National Finals. The competitions and my internship at Bluestone have helped me to develop my skills and confidence a lot.”

In Wales, inclusive competitions are funded by the Welsh Government through Skills Competition Wales and are delivered by the Inspiring Skills in Wales project. Promising competitors often go on to compete in the national competitions at WorldSkills UK.

Those interested in competing in inclusive competitions can choose to compete from a selection of 12 categories including Automotive Technology, Woodwork, Childcare, Life Skills and more.

The competitions aim to not only help improve young people’s confidence and employability skills but seek to break down barriers and help learners reach significant milestones in their personal life such as securing a job and gaining financial independence.

Emma Jones, Curriculum Manager at the Life Skills Academy, said: “We’re so proud of all our learners. It’s fantastic to see how far they’ve come since starting at the academy and at their supported internships. Learners are sometimes nervous about participating in skills competitions, but it really helps to build their confidence and often gives them the boost they needed to transition into real working environments.”

“The pride that our learners have in being an authentic contributor to their community has been truly overwhelming and we are experiencing such growth in this area of our curriculum.”

Helen John, Bluestone Academy Manager, said: “We’re committed to providing opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through workplace learning and training. The Life Skills Academy supported internship initiative is one of which we’ve had particular success and was brought to our attention through the learners’ success in several skills competitions.

“Inclusive skills competitions are a brilliant way for young people who might not otherwise have had a chance to perform under pressure in a working environment before, and as a business, we have experienced first-hand the benefits of hiring people who have a fresh perspective and varied and talented skillset.”

Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “Wales is showing itself to be a leading force in paving the way for opportunities for young people with disabilities and additional learning needs. I’d like to thank the learners, tutors and organisations involved in these initiatives for their hard work in helping to transform the expectations, experiences, and outcomes for so many children and young people in Wales.

“The aim of Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills is to celebrate learners’ skills and achievements while raising their employability skills, so it’s fantastic to see reputable organisations such as Pembrokeshire College and Bluestone launching these sorts of programmes together.”

Community

Henry Tudor Centre designs to go on display in Pembroke

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Public invited to help shape new heritage centre exhibition

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to view the emerging exhibition designs for the new Henry Tudor Centre in Pembroke.

The centre, due to open in spring 2027, will be based at South Quay and will tell the story of Henry Tudor, the son of Pembroke who went on to become Henry VII and founder of the Tudor dynasty.

The exhibition designs will be on display at Pembroke Town Hall from Friday, May 22, to Friday, May 29.

The Henry Tudor Trust, which will operate the new heritage centre, is asking residents and visitors to give their views on how Henry Tudor’s story should be told.

The designs have been developed by exhibition specialists Image Makers, with feedback forms available for members of the public to submit comments. These responses will help refine the exhibition as the project develops.

The new logo for the centre, created by Haverfordwest-based marketing company Media2Motion, will also be on display.

Work is currently underway to refurbish the Grade II-listed building at South Quay, which will house the new exhibition. The centre will also include a new public library, replacing the current library on The Commons, as well as a café.

The capital project is being funded by the Welsh Government, UK Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund a programme of events and activities at the new centre, alongside volunteering opportunities and educational resources for schools.

The exhibition plans can be viewed at Pembroke Town Hall from Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm. The town hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Community

Pembroke Town Council Monkton vacancy following town councillor’s Senedd win

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKE’S Monkton ward will soon have a new town councillor after its previous representative secured a seat in the Senedd as one of six new members for the Ceredigion Penfro seat.

A notice of casual vacancy for the Monkton ward of Pembroke Town Council was publicised yesterday, May 11.

If no written request is made to the county council’s returning officer, the town council may fill the vacant seat by co-option.

The seat was made vacant following now-former town councillor Reform’s Susan Claire Archibald becoming a Senedd member for the new Ceredigion Penfro Senedd ward, one of two Reform candidates to do so.

At the Senedd count on May 8, the former councillor spoke on behalf of herself, fellow Reform winner Paul Marr, and the party’s supporters, saying the supporters would need “new shoes,” given Ceredigion Penfro’s “ginormous constituency”.

She added: “Paul and I are obviously very excited to get to work to representing our constituency of Ceredigion and Penfro.”

The six Senedd members for the new Ceredigion Penfro ward, which saw three Plaid seats, two Reform and one Welsh Conservatives gained, are: Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, and Anna Nicholl Plaid Cymru; Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr Reform; Welsh Conservatives Paul Windsor Davies.

A formal request for an election to fill the vacant Monkton seat may be made to: Returning Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, Electoral Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP.

The town council itself saw, last weekend, the inauguration of Councillor Jonathan Grimes, also joint county councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, as the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Accompanied by his wife, Councillor Deborah Willcocks, a civic lunch was held at the town hall, Main Street, successfully raising £350 in support of his chosen charity, Sandy Bear.

The weekend also saw a service at St Mary’s Church, where the Bishop of St Davids offered a blessing for the newly installed bells.

Community

Number of complaints made against Pembrokeshire councillors last year revealed

Published

10 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CODE OF CONDUCT complaints to the Ombudsman against Pembrokeshire councillors have declined from previous years to date, from a peak of 42 in 2022-23 down to seven so far this year, members of the standards committee heard.

A complaints/concerns log was established back in 2022, the latest statistics including complaints made between January to May 2026.

A report for members at the May 12 Standards Committee meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Complaint volumes have fluctuated across the reporting periods, with the highest levels recorded in 2022-2023,” the report said, adding: “This was followed by a notable reduction in 2023-2024, a partial increase during 2024-2025 and a significant decline in the most recent period. The data for January to May 2026 indicates a continuation of this downward trend, with only a small number of complaints recorded to date.

“While this period covers fewer months than previous reporting years, the reduced volume nonetheless represents a marked contrast to earlier years.”

Statistics from previous years showed county and town and community council level complaints mostly dealt with by informal resolution or ombudsman investigation of: May 2022- April 23, 42; May 2023-April 24, 23; May 2024-April 25, 30; and 10 in May 2025-December 25.

There were 121 complaints received over the period May 2022 to May ‘26; 40 of them harassment, bullying or false accusations, 22 social media-related, 18 meeting behaviour, and 14 altercations with members of the public.

Of the latest complaints received since January, there were six harassment, three social media, two altercation, and one meeting behaviour, with seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman to date.

The report said, across all reporting periods, complaints relating to harassment, bullying and conduct at meetings remain the most common categories, although their frequency has reduced over time.

It added: “Complaints relating to town and community councils continue to account for most cases overall, however very few such complaints have been recorded since January 2026. Taken together, the data suggests a stabilisation of complaint numbers following earlier peaks, with the January to May 2026 position indicating a particularly low level of recorded concerns.”

Seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman highlighted in the report since the start of this year were: an alleged bullying and harassment claim at community council level, currently being investigated; a county council level claim of failure to treat others with respect; discriminatory conduct based on political affiliation, no further action taken; town council level bullying and harassment, disqualified for three years; and a town council level claim of making unsubstantiated or misleading statements, failure to uphold equality principles, conduct bringing the office into disrepute, no further action taken.

It also included three claims currently in the assessment stage: town council level bullying, intimidation, and threatening behaviour; a county level bringing the office or authority into disrepute; and a community council level claim of lack of openness and transparency, improper decision‑making, failure to act with integrity and accountability, and failure to provide accurate records.

All three dated to March.