Coleg Gwent

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Coordinates: 51°34′23″N 2°57′07″W / 51.573°N 2.952°W / 51.573; -2.952 Coleg Gwent (English: Gwent College) is Wales' largest further education college with campuses across five locations in the former county of Gwent, South Wales.^[1]

The college offers full time, part time or university level qualifications across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. It has over 11,000 students^[2] ranging from secondary school leavers to mature learners. A wide range of part-time and full-time academic and vocational courses are on offer at the college.

Coleg Gwent is one of Wales’ top performing colleges, achieving consistently high A Level pass rates - currently 99% - and ranked as the joint top performing college for vocational learning in Wales.

Campuses[]

The college operates from five campuses^[3] in South East Wales – City of Newport, Crosskeys, Torfaen Learning Zone, Usk and Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone.

The City of Newport Campus is situated just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre (and just eight minutes from the M4). It offers a range of vocational and academic courses, some delivered in partnership with local schools and all geared towards giving learners the skills businesses in the area are looking for. Campus facilities include: engineering and construction workshops, art studios, science labs, hairdressing and beauty salons, and a digital technology suite.

Crosskeys Campus is the largest of Coleg Gwent's campuses. It has strong links with local schools and businesses, and offers over 30 A Level subjects, as well as degree qualifications and a diverse range of vocational courses. The campus hosts a performing arts theatre, a restaurant and hair salon that are open to the public, industry-standard equipment for advanced manufacturing courses, a Higher Education hub, and a well-equipped Learning Resource Centre. Crosskeys Campus is also home to the Dragons Junior Rugby Academy, so students can develop their rugby skills alongside their chosen course.

Torfaen Learning Zone in Cwmbran is the newest Coleg Gwent campus, which opened in January 2021. The brand-new purpose-built campus will become the home for all post 16 education in the Torfaen borough. Offering modern state-of-the- art facilities, the Learning Zone is located in the heart of Cwmbran and is easily accessible by public transport.

Usk Campus, home to Coleg Gwent's land-based, sport, outdoor activities and public services courses, is situated in a rural location in the Monmouthshire countryside. It can be easily reached from Monmouth, Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Magor, Pontypool and Newport, and it is close to the M4 motorway. The 850-student campus features a state-of-the-art Learning Resource Centre; a Higher Education Hub; a 296-acre working farm; animal and equine centres; refurbished gym, sport and outdoor education facilities; and a new student café. The college's administrative headquarters are also located at the Usk Campus.

Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone in Ebbw Vale opened in 2012 and became the home of all A Level education in Blaenau Gwent, offering a wide mix of courses including 32 A Level subjects and vocational courses for a broad range of industries. The Learning Zone forms part of the regeneration of the old Steelworks site in Ebbw Vale, now known as The Works. Campus facilities include: purpose-built construction workshops, professional kitchens, recording studios, a new composite manufacturing facility, MAC computer suites, a performance area, hair and beauty salons that are open to the public, and a Learning Resource Centre.

Courses[]

Coleg Gwent is structured into 3 faculties - the Faculty of Care and Community Studies, the Faculty of Creative and Technical Studies, and the Faculty of Enterprise and Academic Studies - each covering a wide range of subject areas across the five unique campuses.

Across the faculties and campuses, courses are offered in the following subjects: Apprenticeships; A Levels; Access to Higher Education; Applied Science; Art, Design and Media; Business and Management; Catering, Hospitality and Retail; Computing and IT; Construction; Employability; ESOL; Engineering; Hair, Beauty, Nails and Theatrical Make-up; Health and Care; ILS; Land Based; Motor Vehicle; Performing Arts and Music; Sports, Leisure and Public Services; Travel and Tourism; and Career Colleges.

Vocational training[]

As well as academic studies, Coleg Gwent offers a range of vocational courses with specialist training facilities on site. These include a training restaurant and hair and beauty salons at the Crosskeys campus, Ebbw Vale, Newport and Cwmbran. There are also workshops for students studying engineering and construction and Usk campus offers agricultural courses and has a working farm, equestrian centre and animal care centre on its premises.

Employer engagement[]

Coleg Gwent works in collaboration with hundreds of employers in the local community. Strong links and working partnerships with local employers help Coleg Gwent to develop the curriculum of the future, encourage innovation and collaboration, address skill shortages, and open up funding opportunities to benefit not just learners, but businesses and the wider economy too.

The college also works alongside the five local education authorities in South East Wales to provide an extensive curriculum designed to meet the needs of learners of all ages.

Student support[]

Coleg Gwent is a diverse and inclusive college, with a community spanning all age-groups from school-leavers to mature-learners. The college offers a range of learner services to help support students to achieve their potential.

Support services at the college include personal tutors; help and support with Maths, English and employability skills; bilingual options for Welsh speakers; Learning Resource Centres with library, computer and information resources; wellbeing support; travel, transport and finance support; Additional Learning Needs support; and a Students' Union.

History[]

Originally known as the Newport Technical Institute and later becoming the Newport and Monmouthshire College of Art, Coleg Gwent's first campus in Newport dates back to 1910.

With the local area developing rapidly and the expansion and success of the Newport Docks, demand for skills and knowledge in more industries was growing, and the college saw need for a new further education institution in South Wales. So, the Newport College of Further Education on Nash Road was formed, and in 1975, it became known as South Gwent College.

South Gwent College amalgamated with other colleges in 1992, and Coleg Gwent - the largest educational institution in Wales - was born. To this day, it remains the largest further education college in Wales, with campuses in Newport, Crosskeys, Usk, Ebbw Vale (Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone), and our brand-new state-of-the-art Torfaen Learning Zone in Cwmbran.

References[]

External links[]

• Coleg Gwent website