A team from Coleg Morgannwg has been judged the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge champions for Wales. The budding entrepreneurs from the Nantgarw Campus will now represent Wales against 14 other countries in the world final of the prestigious competition in Bali later this year.

After two days of competition at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Coleg Morgannwg's innovative Freerun business idea got the nod from the experienced panel of judges. Challenged to develop an innovative product or service that covered the needs of the health, wellbeing and social care sector, the learners came up with a business that provided sponsored equipment to schools and colleges to enable young people to participate in freerunning without damaging property.

The awards presentation was made by Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Assembly Government's Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, who congratulated all the participants. "It is events such as these that inspire entrepreneurial activity and help young people to consider starting their own business in the future," she said. "It is also about promoting a positive can do attitude."

Teams of six learners from 22 further education colleges were given just 24 hours to develop a business plan and three-minute, pre-recorded presentations which they gave to a panel of leading business people from the private and public sectors. Each team was mentored by a successful business owner who had been appointed a role model for the Welsh Assembly Government's Dynamo Programme, which encourages young entrepreneurs. Coleg Morganwg's team was mentored by John Farley of Autografik Design.

The competition, which showcases creativity and innovation, was the culmination of months of activities from several thousand learners who battled to represent their college in the national final.

Costume learner, Elizabeth Morgan scooped the ‘Best trainee Costume’ Award at the ‘It’s My Shout Red Carpet Awards Ceremony’.  The event was held at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl where young actors and film makers were recognised for their talents in acting, writing, technical skills and production.
The scheme was set up in 2003 to provide hands on experience for young people in Wales to work alongside professionals in the making of short films which are then broadcast on the television.

Twenty year old Elizabeth, from Pontypridd, a second year learner studying at our Arts Centre, enjoyed the evening with her tutor and fellow learners. She said “ Spending the Summer working on ‘It’s My Shout’ was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to do it again next year.  It has given me a professional insight into the industry of film making. Working with professionals has been a valuable learning experience. Winning the ‘Best Costume Trainee Award’ was incredible and was  a fabulous experience. Joining the ‘Costume Construction for Screen and Stage’ course straight from school has been such a great challenge for me and extremely rewarding. ”

Tutor Emma Highgate added “The learners really enjoyed the atmosphere of the evening; we were all delighted when Liz was presented with her award. To win this award so early on in her education/career is an outstanding achievement. Many of the learners who work on the It’s My Shout films are in the third year of their degrees or have graduated. Liz has only just started the second year of course which goes to show what an achievement this is”.

At the recent JTL (Joint Training Ltd) Welsh Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards which was held at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel and Spa, ten apprentices competed for the top awards.

JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector, working with over 3,500 businesses in the UK. It is recognised as the sector preferred training provider and engages with a network of around 150 of the UK’s colleges.

Coleg Morgannwg learner Robert Mason was awarded the best JTL Apprentice for Wales.  Robert is continuing with his studies and attends the Nantgarw campus; he is employed at Systems Electrical Engineering based at Merthyr Tydfil. Lorne Stewart employee Sarah Brockway was runner up, with Ross Perryman also picking up an award.

Coleg Morgannwg Hospitality & Catering learner Sam Lau was given the opportunity to undertake a month’s work placement in the famous Pearl Restaurant, London.

Sam originally trained in Business and Management in Kuala Lumpur University and embarked on a trip around the world, working in restaurants to fund his trip. From a young age Sam had a passion for cooking and when working in his uncle’s business in Pontypridd he realised if he was to fulfil his ambitions as a professional chef, he would need to train and achieve recognised qualifications. Sam enrolled on the NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery at the Pontypridd Campus, studying practical and theoretical subjects which will prove beneficial during his placement.

At the restaurant Sam worked alongside celebrity chef Jun Tanaka who has hosted several TV shows including, Cooking It, Saturday Kitchen, Great Food Live, Saturday Cooks and Market Kitchen. After his placement with Jun, Sam went to work at Gordon Ramsey’s Boxwood Restaurant in Knightsbridge, London.

Paula Marsh, Senior Curriculum Leader explained: “This placement provided Sam with an invaluable insight into the running of a busy London restaurant. He has proved to be a very talented learner and I’m sure he will achieve his ambitions”.                

Music learners from Coleg Morgannwg travelled to Bridgend Recreation Centre to battle it out with bands from Bridgend College, in the Battle of the Bands competition; an annual event to promote National Colleges Week.

The four bands performed 20 minute sets in a bid to secure the prize; a fantastic one day recording session in a professional music studio, sponsored by Prawn Studio, Bridgend. After lengthy deliberations the panel of judges; Polly James, presenter at Nation Radio and Andre Van Wyk, Arts Development Officer at Bridgend County Borough Council announced the winners – the Magpies, from Coleg Morgannwg.  The group of four musicians will also be featured on Nation Radio, playing some of their great music.

Scott Howells Music lecturer, Coleg Morgannwg said "The learners really enjoyed playing in a professional environment and displayed good camaraderie with learners from Bridgend College. The prize of a day's recording and national air play on Nation Radio will give the learners good experience of being a professional recording artist".

In the college’s Prize Evening ceremony Wayne Davies was recognised for his achievements. He joined the college with minimal D grade qualifications, but a great deal of determination to progress and a clear vision for the future.  During his interview he impressed his lecturer with his maturity and motivation.

His attendance and punctuality throughout the academic year was exemplary, as was his level of commitment to the course. He studied 5 GCSE subjects (one by evening) plus the Welsh Baccalaureate programme. He faced some personal hardship during his time of study, his family like many others have been badly affected by the recession, but at no point did he let this interfere with his commitment to the course.  He worked consistently and diligently, always completing all classwork exercises and always early for coursework deadlines.

His calm, mature and friendly approach impacted on his fellow learners, and all subject lecturers agreed that the group dynamic benefitted enormously from having him in class. He achieved 2 A grades, a B and two Cs plus the Welsh Baccalaureate. This year he has enrolled on the Access to Science programme at the college.

Wayne was chosen from around 15,000 learners to receive the College Outstanding Achievement Award, he was presented with his award by Roy Noble OBE BBC Radio presenter.