College raising standards for adult learners in Wales

COLEG CAMBRIA has raised the standards of English and maths for adult learners in Wales.

The college was tasked with supporting a Hefcw project mapping Open University (OU) courses for Essential Skills Wales (ESW).

The modules were welcomed by both organisations and are now available online as part of the Everyday Skills series.

Cambria’s Basic and Essential Skills department developed the maths and English programmes, and team members Fran Hughes, Tracy Mitchell and Kerry Lloyd were praised by Amanda Morgan, the college’s Deputy Director for Essential Skills.

“The three of them produced new material to not only meet the ESW benchmark level but to enable learners in Wales to progress and achieve their qualification,” said Mrs Morgan.

“The end result is a high-quality resource accessible across Wales for adult learners to improve their English and maths skills.

“It’s also a tool which exemplifies the quality and standards we have here at Cambria, and reflects the commitment of our staff, who always go the extra mile in pursuit of excellence.”

The college carried out the initiative in partnership with the OU and Coleg Gwent, the NPTC Group of Colleges and Adult Learning Wales.

Jo Tincello, Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum for Foundation Learning and Employability Skills at the college, says the project not only served to improve education for adult learners in Wales, but also strengthened relations with other UK further education partners.

“The team was working closely with members of different departments at colleges in Wales and England, who were all working on different aspects of the OU programme, from the academic side to design, marketing and IT,” said Mrs Tincello.

“It was a real team effort but from a Coleg Cambria perspective our Essential Skills team has once again been held up as a beacon of best practice.

“We are all incredibly proud of them and thank them for their hard work in delivering a resource that will ultimately improve the core skills and confidence of maths and English among adult learners in Wales.”

Lynnette Thomas, Deputy Director of The Open University in Wales, added: “I’m really pleased that we have introduced the Everyday Skills courses alongside colleges in Wales, including Coleg Cambria. I know exactly what it’s like balancing work and family with studying in my spare time – to be able to learn at home makes things so much easier. 

“The Everyday Skills courses are all about developing your ability in English or maths at your own pace, and for free. It could be a way of helping your kids with their homework, improving your career prospects, or simply pushing yourself to learn something new. Why not give it a go?”