Coleg y Cymoedd: A leading provider of Further Education in south Wales
As a leading further education provider in South Wales, Coleg y Cymoedd serves more than 9,000 learners from Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and beyond. The college was formed in 2013 by the merger of Ystrad Mynach College and Coleg Morgannwg and has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary of excellence and innovation.
The college offers a diverse and exciting range of courses and qualifications, from the largest selection of A-levels on one site for over 300 learners, to vocational training and apprenticeships that prepare learners for the world of work.
It has four campuses - Aberdare, Nantgarw, Rhondda, and Ystrad Mynach - and a team of 850 dedicated and experienced staff.
In the last year, the college has achieved its best ever results, with three learners securing Oxbridge places and a record number of offers from Russell Group universities.
The college also improved its A*-C grades from 63.5% in 2019 to 86.2% in 2023, and the A*-A grades soared from 11.9% to 36%. Over 1,200 qualifications were completed in Level 3 provision, demonstrating the high standards and achievements of the learners.
With the support of the Welsh Government, Cymoedd has invested millions of pounds in the past few years to upgrade its facilities to match industry standards.
The college boasts state-of-the-art equipment, such as VR and robotics, painting and decorating workshops, training kitchens, and a Sports Centre of Excellence in Nantgarw that won the Education Building Awards ‘Project of the Year’ in June 2024.
Coleg y Cymoedd is also proud of its Welsh identity and culture and supports and promotes the Welsh language and culture in all aspects of its work. It contributes to the Welsh Government's vision of a million Welsh speakers by 2050 through its Welsh Language Strategy, which aims to:
- Increase the number of Welsh speakers among its learners and staff
- Provide opportunities for learners to study in Welsh or bilingually
- Ensure that the college's services and facilities are accessible in Welsh.
Working in partnership with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Coleg y Cymoedd funds Welsh medium lecturers and Welsh language facilitators.
Also, the Welsh Language Team includes Welsh Language Ambassadors who are students who volunteer to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language in their fields of study.
The college offers some vocational courses which are taught bilingually. These courses help the learners to develop their Welsh skills in the context of their occupational field and to familiarise themselves with a bilingual working environment.
There are also opportunities for students to learn and use their Welsh in a more informal and extracurricular atmosphere with a Cwtsh Cymraeg on each campus. In addition to this, opportunities are encouraged and developed for our staff to increase their confidence in their Welsh.
Coleg y Cymoedd also organises and takes part in various Welsh events and activities, such as Eisteddfodau, Welsh Music Day, and Shwmae Su'mae Day.
These events and activities are open to everyone and aim to celebrate and raise awareness of the Welsh language and Welsh culture. The college works with external partners, such as the Urdd, Mentrau Iaith, and the National Eisteddfod, to support and promote their Welsh initiatives.
Caffi Maes B sponsor 2024:
