EIGHT rising stars from Coleg Cambria and its industry partners are gearing up to compete in one of the UK’s most prestigious skills competitions – and they’re ready to shine on home turf.

This year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals – dubbed the ‘Skills Olympics’ – will take place in Wales for the first time from November 26–28, with contests held across five venues.

Representing Cambria’s sites in Wrexham, Deeside, Llysfasi, and Northop, the college’s elite team of students and apprentices will go head-to-head with the best in the UK.

The competitors are:

• Aircraft Maintenance – Robert Jones (Airbus UK)
• Aircraft Maintenance – Hannah Back (Airbus UK)
• Aircraft Maintenance – Patrick Dunne (Coleg Cambria)
• Beauty Therapist – Evie McManus (Coleg Cambria)
• Beauty Therapist – Lydia Roberts (Coleg Cambria)
• CNC Milling – Jo Arrowsmith (Coleg Cambria)
• CNC Milling – Tomos Roberts (Coleg Cambria)
• Metal Fabricator – Mark Wright (Coleg Cambria)

Robert Jones, Cambria’s Skills Competition Lead, said: “Being selected for WorldSkills UK is a real mark of excellence, and our team has earned their place among the nation’s best through dedication and hard work.

“This isn’t just a competition – it’s a chance for these learners to raise the bar, test themselves on a national stage, and make Wales proud. We’re excited to see what they achieve and confident they’ll deliver outstanding performances. Best of luck to all!”

The finals will see 417 competitors from across the UK battle it out in 47 categories, celebrating the very best in technical and vocational education.

Wales is well represented, with 120 finalists securing their place after excelling in qualifiers. The country’s hosting of the event follows the Welsh Government’s confirmed partnership with Inspiring Skills Excellence and WorldSkills UK.

Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant, a former learner at Coleg Cambria, said: “These competitions show the real-world value and applications of apprenticeships and are invaluable in futureproofing our economy.

“I am proud Wales is hosting the WorldSkills Finals UK 2025. We have a beautiful country, and I hope all visitors will take some time to explore it.”

Visit www.worldskillsuk.org for more on WorldSkills UK.

For more news and information from Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk.

A pioneering partnership between Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and carbon removals company BionerG is helping turn forestry waste into a powerful tool for sustainability, soil enrichment, and carbon sequestration in Wales.

The college has teamed up with Llangollen-based BionerG in what’s being hailed as a “groundbreaking collaboration” to assess whether tree brash – typically discarded branches and foliage from forestry work or storm damage – can become a key resource in carbon removal efforts.

Coleg Cambria is supplying the brash, which BionerG then processes through an innovative system of branch logging and drying in state-of-the-art pyrolysis units at their ECKO (Ecology Carbon Knowledge Outreach) Centre in Denbighshire. The centre is dedicated to biochar production and environmental education.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced via pyrolysis (heating biomass in the absence of oxygen), is known for its ability to improve soil health by retaining water and nutrients while locking away carbon.

Dewi Jones, Farm Manager at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, emphasized the long-term benefits of this approach, both for land management and student learning.

“We are in the early stages but long-term we will definitely see the benefits, as once the wood is turned into biochar it will have a positive impact on carbon neutrality and in nourishing the soil,” said Dewi.

“They are a very forward-thinking company, and this is another example of Llysfasi embracing new, sustainable techniques focused on the environment and innovation.”

To further showcase the potential of this work, BionerG will host open events titled ‘How to Future-Proof Your Farm’ on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. The events aim to attract young people and recent graduates exploring careers in agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Reflecting on the partnership, BionerG director Chris Clarke said their technology helps overcome major logistical challenges involved in collecting and processing tree brash.

“This could unlock new economic and ecological potential, turning a forestry by-product into a central component of circular, restorative agricultural practices,” he said.

“Our preliminary studies found you can use half as much fertiliser if you mix it with biochar, so there are huge financial and environmental benefits according to our early testing.

“No other business in this sector is working in the way we are with the team at Llysfasi, which as it continues to develop will prove fruitful for both parties.

“They use the biochar for their land, and it is an educational tool, while from our side – and the open events will delve into this further – there are incentives for current and future farmers and landowners to capitalise on this process and the technology.”

Encouraging graduates to attend the upcoming sessions, Chris added:
“We are hearing regularly that children from farming families, after they graduate, are looking to run efficient and sustainable businesses including investigating opportunities to diversify income as well as reduce costs.

“We can help with that as there are grants available if these farms show they are moving towards becoming more sustainable, using significantly less fertiliser will put them in a very strong position – we encourage people to get in touch to find out more and come along and see it for themselves.”

A surge in interest and demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects across the UK has prompted Coleg Cambria to expand its team with a range of new engineering education roles.

The college is currently advertising vacancies at its prestigious Institute of Technology (IoT), located in Deeside and Wrexham. Opportunities are available for Lecturers in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Work-based Learning.

This national push to strengthen STEM education comes amid a growing shortage of qualified teachers in both secondary and higher education. The emphasis is now on attracting experienced industry professionals to transition into academic roles and share their practical knowledge with learners.

Nick Tyson, Vice Principal for Digital, Engineering and Construction at Coleg Cambria, described the roles as “hugely important” and pivotal for shaping the future workforce.

“In today’s rapidly evolving world, the need for skilled, adaptable engineers and industry professionals has never been greater, and who better to shape that future than those who’ve lived it?” said Nick.

“If you’ve built your career solving real-world problems, leading innovation, or managing complex systems, consider the exciting opportunity of stepping into further education.

“By sharing your knowledge, you don’t just teach — you inspire.”

He continued: “You empower the next generation to think critically, innovate boldly, and adapt swiftly in an agile, ever-changing workforce.

“Education is no longer just in the classroom, it’s a dynamic, collaborative environment where your expertise can ignite potential, bridge industry and academia, and leave a lasting legacy.

“The impact you’ve made in industry can multiply when you help others discover their path within it.”

In addition to competitive salaries and a generous pension scheme, Coleg Cambria offers support for successful candidates to gain the necessary teaching qualifications if they do not already hold them.

The college also promotes bilingualism and encourages applications in Welsh.

To learn more about the available engineering roles, visit: Vacancies | Coleg Cambria iRecruit Careers Portal

For the latest updates and information from Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk.

NEW HE qualifications at a state-of-the-art land-based college will support the future of farming in Wales.

Coleg Cambria unveiled Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes aimed at the next generation of farm managers, shepherds, farmers, and leaders in the sector.

Based at the college’s Llysfasi site, near Ruthin – which recently unveiled the £10m Hwb Arloesi (Innovation Hub) and submitted plans for a 50-bedroom student accommodation building – the courses include modules on a wide range of subjects.

Among them are 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.

Cambria’s Dean of Access and Higher Education (HE) Emma Hurst said: “These qualifications provide students with a broad knowledge base, higher technical skills and opportunities to go on and pursue a wide range of careers within land-based industries.

“As well as having access to the amazing team of lecturers and visiting speakers at Llysfasi, those joining the HND or HNC courses can benefit from having dairy, suckler and sheep enterprises on-site, a personal tutor for one-to-one support, and real-time, real-life experience utilising practical skills on a 1,000-acre working, commercial farm.

“With advances in precision agriculture, smart technology and new farming methods, there is no better place to learn, as Cambria is renowned for its standing at the forefront of advances in agriculture education.”

The cutting-edge Hwb Arloesi was backed with more than £5.9m from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The 1,095 square metre, two-storey carbon-neutral complex was built by Wrexham-based Read Construction and includes a library, classrooms, laboratories, a coffee shop, climbing wall, meeting spaces, atrium, a HE (Higher Education) centre and wellbeing hub.

Head of Llysfasi Elin Roberts said: “The building is incredible and already a big hit with the students and staff, as the equipment, the meeting and academic and workshop spaces and all of the rooms and resources are incredible,” said Elin.

“Students enrolling on FE and HE Agriculture courses will have access to the best teaching in a welcoming, state-of-the-art environment, unmatched in this region – this is definitely the time to choose Coleg Cambria for the next step of your academic or career journey in the farming sector.”

AN INNOVATIVE new apprenticeship programme is building the skills and aspirations of construction workers.

Wales’s first fully funded Construction Degree Apprenticeship was launched in September and is already helping learners lay the foundations for their future careers.

The students will spend two years at Coleg Cambria before completing a final two years at Wrexham University.

Representing some of the sector’s top companies, and a wide range of trade areas – from civil engineering to site management, quantity surveying and more – they are learning on the job while garnering academic support at Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham.

Among the 56-strong group is Adam Wynne, a Contracts Compliance Officer at Wrexham Council, who spent more than 20 years in the trades before joining the local authority.

“I was a joiner with my own business before I began this role and wanted a new challenge that would use that experience and allow me to progress in my career,” said Adam, from Coedpoeth.

“This qualification and my job with the council means I can take that step, and while it is challenging blending work with academia – I hadn’t been in a classroom for a long time! – it has been very enjoyable and ensures we are up to speed with the latest developments.”

Daniel Ashley-Cooper, a Contracts Manager at Holywell-based Kingspan, was in agreement.

“I was production based for 10 years before moving on to this position, so in tandem with the construction degree apprenticeship I am learning new skills and gaining experience, which will add value to my career going forward,” said Daniel, from Chester.

“As well as the lecturers we have mentors in our own companies, so there is a lot of support there.”

Sam Doughty, from Mold, a Trainee Site Manager at Read Construction in Wrexham, added: “I was new to the trade and started this course at the same time as I started the job. My aim is to become a fully qualified site manager and I’m on the way to doing that – it’s a good challenge, and a good learning process.”

A champion for girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Lilly Holt encouraged other young women to consider applying for the Construction Degree Apprenticeship programme in the future.

“At the beginning it was a little intimidating, pursuing a career in what is a traditionally male-dominated arena, but there are lots of job roles out there and I’m proud to be flying the flag for women in construction,” said Lilly, from Wrexham, a Commercial Trainee at Anwyl Homes, Ewloe.

“We are balancing our work lives with education but it’s a great platform to improve and progress, and there is the opportunity to focus on different areas and trades.

“I have always been interested in the housing industry and architecture and see myself becoming a Quantity Surveyor – with this qualification I will be on my way.”

Karl Jackson, Site Lead at Bersham Road – which has undergone a multi-million pound transformation in past years – said learners have benefited from the mix of practical and theoretical education.

“They are getting real-time, real-life training while learning in an interactive classroom environment one day a week,” he said.

“There is a demand for this from industry, locally and nationally, so it’s an exciting time for people in construction to explore this opportunity.”

The programmes are designed to meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Welsh Government Framework, alongside the requirements of the professional bodies.

The launch of the pathway was the result of strong co-operation and engagement relevant bodies and representatives in Wales including Welsh Government, The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), The Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEFCW), The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).