The past fortnight has seen a number of new and novel skills initiatives unveiled in the universities, colleges, schools – and even nurseries – of our region, with Cardiff Met launching a world-class aviation degree … USW announcing an innovative Incubator Hub based on its Newport campus … Kier partnering with Think Air on a high-impact STEM outreach programme … the Welsh language Si-Lwli nursery in Cardiff providing bilingual apprenticeships to its employees … and, further west, Pembrokeshire College collaborating with global energy companies to deliver a clean energy career journey …
Cardiff Met’s aviation degree ready for take-off
Cardiff Metropolitan University is launching a new world-class aviation management degree, centred around an exciting new partnership with an international airport and renowned global university.
Starting in September 2022, the industry-leading BA (Hons) Aviation Management programme is a dedicated aviation qualification delivered in conjunction with the expert staff at Cardiff Airport (CWL) and Florida-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide.
Students on the three-year, full-time course will study the latest aviation management theories, systems and practices – together with the Ethical, Digital, Global and Entrepreneurial skills provided by Cardiff Met EDGE: a unique approach to curriculum delivery that ensures graduates have the core skills and experience needed in today’s exceptionally competitive employment markets.
The course, which is currently accepting applications via UCAS, will provide an unparalleled understanding of all aspects of aviation law, strategic management, safety, airline management and the employment issues relating to the aviation industry – further enhancing Wales as a go-to destination for Aviation and Aerospace studies.
Cardiff Met students will benefit from modules and placements developed alongside expert staff at Cardiff Airport, creating CWL-generated research and consulting proposals which can be readily addressed by students on the course – as well as enjoying growing their skills and knowledge working with a wide range of aviation and aerospace experts at Embry Riddle, which teaches over 22,000 students online at more than 110 campuses worldwide.
USW opens Stiwdio Incubator Hub on Newport campus
The University of South Wales has opened its second graduate incubator – The Startup Stiwdio – at the fast-expanding USW Newport campus.
This new facility offers a great space to work for USW graduates who are starting their own businesses – providing a platform for alumni to showcase the skills they have gained while studying at USW, as well as providing a range of services that include a bespoke business support programme, assistance with intellectual property, access to network events and specialist help in a range of other areas.
USW has already established one Stiwdio on its Cardiff campus – specialising in supporting graduates in the creative industries (one of CCR’s five priority sectors) – and another Stiwdio is due to open at USW Treforest Campus later this summer to support those students in science and engineering who want to start their own business.
To date, USW Startup Stiwdio has supported 65 graduate entrepreneurs – and there are already three start-up businesses based at the hub, in the shape of NDT South Wales (a non-destructive testing engineering company), C Bloc Productions (a music video specialist) and Talking Reality (which makes wellbeing-focused podcasts).
This inspired incubator programme is the brainchild of Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Assistant Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise at USW, who views the hub as a catalyst and a conduit for increasing entrepreneurial activity across our region – and comes at a time when Newport has witnessed the emerging entrepreneurship of the Alacrity Foundation and seen Tramshed Tech take its place at the refurbished Newport market.
‘Think Air School Kit’ adopted for STEM outreach programme
Kier Western & Wales has partnered with South Wales-based tech start-up Think Air, bringing the construction group’s STEM programme to schools across South Wales, to open the eyes and minds of the next generation of engineers and scientists.
The new partnership will see Kier adopt Think Air’s TASK (Think Air School Kit) – the UK’s first air quality kit designed for children and teenagers – to deliver an enlightening STEM programme to both primary and secondary schools across South Wales, as part of their CSR mission.
Following a successful pilot at Fitzalan High School in Cardiff, the programme will use TASK to help pupils from Kier’s nominated schools gain transferable STEM skills, while also developing valuable digital literacy skills and opening minds to the different roles STEM learning can lead to in later life.
With a focus on learning by doing, TASK’s interactive experiences help develop STEM skills while also raising awareness of air pollution and the environment – areas where Kier are committed to driving change.
With this interactive learning at the core, TASK will help Kier to deliver hands-on experiments that develop basic coding, research and analytical skills – encouraging pupils to discover ways to make classrooms, schools and home environments healthier and more sustainable, using a platform designed to ensure that knowledge is transferable to higher learning and activities beyond the classroom.
Nursery promotes Welsh Language and Bilingual Apprenticeships
An award-winning day nursery in north Cardiff is proving passionate about providing learning opportunities and skills support in the Welsh language – for its staff, children and their parents.
Whitchurch-based Si-Lwli, which was named Nursery of the Year for Wales in 2018, has 21 staff caring for 105 children between the ages of six months and four years.
As part of its commitment to the Welsh medium, the nursery has supported half of its workforce to achieve bilingual apprenticeships at levels ranging from 2 to 5, with the City & Guilds qualifications being delivered by Caerphilly-based training provider Educ8 Training.
One member of the nursery team is currently working towards a Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 in Professional Practice in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development – while three colleagues are focusing on attaining the Foundation Apprenticeship Level 2 Core qualification.
Si-Lwli has been spotlighted by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the National Training Federation of Wales (NTfW) as a champion of bilingualism in the workplace – two prestigious accolades, as Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol leads the development of Welsh medium and bilingual training in the post-compulsory sector across our region, whilst the NTfW represents work-based learning providers across Wales.
Industry collaboration inspiring Welsh students for Clean Energy jobs
A new course preparing students for the future renewables’ job market has been launched by Pembrokeshire College.
Two global green energy companies – EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy – have joined forces with the county’s largest provider of post-16 education, to design a programme that will raise awareness, transfer real-world knowledge and inform career journeys for 16-18 year olds.
The two-year course – Destination Renewables – will educate learners about renewable energy technologies, including wave, tidal, solar, wind and the project management processes that go with them.
This exciting collaboration with industry is aimed at bridging the skills gap, showcasing the diverse range of careers within the sector – and helping Wales meet its net zero targets – in a county that’s fast becoming a centre of excellence for renewable energies.
To discover the latest developments in Skills & Talent across Southeast Wales and beyond, go to www.venturewales.org
