NPTC Group of Colleges Full-time Courses 23/24 - North

Be Inspired and Be Your Future

We know that choosing your next steps can seem daunting but we’ll be with you from day one, every day and every step of the way – so we want you to think big!

NPTC Group of Colleges can promise you an excellent learning experience within a dynamic, supportive College that has superb industry standard facilities and resources. Our aim is to inspire you by showcasing the many career opportunities available and equip you with the skills, capabilities and results you need in order to succeed in those careers, progress to higher education or the workplace as well as in life.

NPTC Group of Colleges consistently excels in both A Level and vocational results, with many of our students progressing to Redbrick universities including Oxbridge, or walking directly into their dream career. That’s because whilst there is a mature and friendly atmosphere, our body of gifted students are pushed to maintain consistently high levels of academic achievement, but we also place a lot of focus on those transferrable skills that will help gain employment straight from College or succeed in life.

And why our students continue to succeed is all down to the support and guidance from our expert lecturing staff and the excellent pastoral care they provide. We all know that students that are happy are motivated, achieve and they flourish. As a College we pride ourselves on building a supportive environment that will positively improve resilience, independence and confidence, with both teaching and support staff ready to ignite and nurture their ambitions.

So whether you choose a career focussed vocational course or apprenticeship, be your future at NPTC Group of Colleges.

Mark Dacey, Chief Executive Officer, NPTC Group of Colleges

NPTC Group of Colleges congratulated all our students receiving their results this year. The class of 2022 are the first to sit exams since the pandemic despite the challenges faced over the last two years.

Students sitting their Extended National Diploma Certificates also made the headlines, with 63 students achieving triple distinctions grades, and 25 students achieving the highest possible grade profile of triple distinction stars (D*D*D*) which is the equivalent to three A* at A Level.

In addition, no fewer than 292 learners successfully achieved the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate with an outstanding pass rate of 99.6 percent with 65 percent achieving between an A* and C grade.

Many students have secured places at top universities, including Oxford University, or gained the qualifications to land their dream jobs. It is important to note that this year has not been like any other year. Staff have undertaken an enormous amount of work to welcome students back into the classroom and prepare them for exams in very difficult circumstances. Catherine Lewis, Acting CEO and Acting Principal of NPTC Group of Colleges, commented: “These results are outstanding. To exceed the A* - B grades of 2019 (pre-COVID) is an exceptional achievement. I am very proud of our students and our teaching and support staff for the very hard work that has underpinned all the hundreds of successes that lie behind the figures.”

and all our students the best of luck in the future.” Health and Social Care students have proven they are a hard working bunch with many achieving fantastic grades.

Ellie Hinge D*D*D*, Iris Shanahan D*D*D* and Katie Clarke DDM have all been accepted into Aberystwyth University and will be among the first students to undertake the new BSc Nursing courses at the University. Iris has opted for the BSc in Mental Health Nursing and Katie and Ellie the Adult Nursing Degree.

Results Highlights

Sport students Laura Shinton and Jennifer Jarvie received the highest grade that can be achieved: a triple Distinction * in BTEC Level 3 Sport, Coaching and Development. The result is equivalent to 3 A * qualifications and means they have a total of 168 UCAS points.

Laura, a devoted swimmer who has ranked top ten for the 50 metre in breaststroke at the nationals and top 15 in 100 metre breaststroke in Wales, said: “I’m so really pleased with my results which means I can go on to Solent University Southampton to study Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science.”

Sport lecturer Amy Watkins said: “Laura has shown great dedication throughout her studies and has all the potentials for a fantastic career ahead and Jen is a great ambassador and a natural leader. She’s highly motivated and has a great future ahead of her in the sports industry. We all wish Jen

Other Health and Social Care results included: Amy Sheddon and Leanne Moore both achieved Triple Star Distinctions with Megan Woodhouse and Ceara Burnside receiving D*D*D. Ceara is planning to go to John Moore University Liverpool to study Psychology.

Health and Social Care Lecturer Claire Bumford said: “The students have worked so hard and have been rewarded with great results. We are so proud of them all. Given everyone’s experiences in the pandemic it has highlighted the importance of training opportunities in the sector and we are delighted to be able to support those endeavours, assisting our students to achieve results that can support a successful career in the healthcare environment.”

Childcare students were also pleased with their results. A return to learning student Corina Gamble achieved a Distinction Star in Level 3 Childcare, Play, Learning and Development Diploma and has chosen to study a BA (hons)

in Social Work at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

Childcare Lecturer Laura Thomas said “I am incredibly proud of the students, some of whom have had to juggle commitments at home with study, while others work alongside their study. But all have worked so hard. Good luck in your next stage.”

Business students have also got thorough this year’s tough exams and course work to achieve great results these include:

Ruth Rees-Jones D*DD, staying with us at Newtown College to do a HND in Agriculture.

Ffion Rowlands D*DD has been appointed a full time Business Admin role at Control Techniques.

Carys Wilson Mills with DDD is going to Lancaster University to study Finance and Accounting.

Business Lecturer Harriet Bailey said: “I am super proud of the young ladies who have achieved flawless results today. The challenges and sacrifices of the pandemic throughout the two years of their study only determined them even more to excel in all subject areas of the level 3 BTEC Business course with brilliant success. My first group that I have seen through since day one and I am the proudest. It has been a pleasure to teach and see these young ladies grow into aspiring business academics, I wish them all the best for the future. Well done, ladies.”

Our HND Agriculture students worked hard at home on their farms and at College to come out with outstanding results. Elin Protheroe, Nia Powell, Cerys Mills and Gwawr Jones all achieved Distinction.

Martin Watkin, Land Based Estates Manager and Deputy Head of Catering, Horticulture and Agriculture said: ‘We are all proud of all our students for their accomplishments. They are all hard working girls, both on their home farms and in College. They worked hard through lockdown via internet learning but when they returned to College they upped the level even more. Always striving to achieve more at every opportunity. Their results are well earnt. Well done, girls.”

There were Distinction grades across the three areas of the Arts, with UAL Level 3 first and second years achieving top grades and in the extended diplomas.

Art and Design Level 3 first year student Demi Forbes received a Distinction.For her final project Demi produced an illustrated graphic novel pop-up book, based on the Chinese legend of The Red Thread of Fate.

Roxie Brookes achieved a Distinction in the UAL Level 3 Art and Design Extended Diploma. Roxie is hoping to enter local employment as a freelance graphic/web designer. For her final project Roxie experimented with rebranding designs for local company Hafren Vets.

Arts Lecturer Rob Loupart said: “The students have all shown a diverse range of skills. Demi is a talented illustrator in drawing, paint and digital media. Roxie has a great understanding of advertising and design layout, branding and web page layout, using the full range of Adobe software to a professional standard. We wish all our students good luck in the next stage of their careers.”

Performing and Production Arts Level 3 students Ruby Morgan, Aneirin Parton and Evangelia Dimitriou all received Distinctions and will proceed on to the second year.

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts students Lucy Jones, Amy Richards and Jake Robinson all received Distinctions and have secured places at LMA School of Music, Media and Performing Arts.

Performing Arts Lecturer Elizabeth Hebden said: “The students have worked so hard since returning back to college following the pandemic. They crammed a lot into the past year, and I am really proud of all their hard work.”

Creative Media and Technology Level 3 Extended diploma students Arron Weston and Harrison CollardFrancis achieved a Distinction.

Ruth Rees-Jones Ffion Rowlands Iris Shanahan

AwARd-WINnINg Facilities

Newtown: Science labs

Newtown: Top-of-the-range engineering equipment

Newtown: State-of-the-art catering facilities

Brecon: Brand new motor vehicle extension

Newtown: A classy training restaurant - Themes

Newtown & Brecon: Award-winning construction department

Newtown: Exceptional performing arts studios and more

Brecon & Newtown: Exciting Lee Stafford Hairdressing Academy

Brecon Beacons College’s newest addition, the College Within the Community Hub – ‘The CWTCH’, is now officially part of the community. The former tourist information centre has created a vision for further education in Brecon and is now part of the community with open access for all. Former Member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire and Minister for Education Kirsty Williams unveiled a plaque to mark the opening. Ms Williams said: “It’s given this building re-purpose and will broaden college activity by being so accessible and central. It will be a hub and bring people together. I find this building and what ’s going on inspirational.”

The CWTCH has been refurbished and includes flexible working areas, video conferencing facilities, interactive touch screens, and ultra-fast 1GB internet access, along with state-of-the-art computing facilities for both student and public use. Also available will be tips on job hunting, setting up your own business, interview techniques, and CV writing.

Further plans to relocate Brecon Beacons College into Brecon town are also moving ahead which will allow students access directly to the town and the facilities provided by local businesses on a daily basis.

Brecon: Sport equipment.

Newtown: Industry standard engineering facilities.

The CWTCH

Newtown: World Class Theatre and Conference Areas.

Newtown: Unique College owned farm.

The CWTCH – College Within The Community Hub

Brecon Beacons College moving into town

Further education provision in Brecon is being transformed as NPTC Group of Colleges looks to relocate into the town centre.

Brecon’s Watton Mount and the former library on Ship Street have been transferred upon purchase to NPTC Group of Colleges by Powys County Council. The move will allow NPTC Group of Colleges to relocate its Brecon Beacons College into the town centre for a ‘university feel’ campus, leading to highly-resourced education, fit for the 21st century.

This move follows an earlier deal between the council and NPTC Group of Colleges which saw the former Tourist Infomation Centre in the cattle market car park internally reconfigured and rebranded by the NPTC Group of Colleges as “The Cwtch”.

Under a 25-year lease, the venue has become a drop-in centre and provides multiple learning opportunities for residents.

The buildings will be refurbished by the College to house interactive technologies and state-of-the-art spaces for several areas of study. The two organisations are also working in partnership in the town at Brecon’s showcase attraction, y Gaer, which will result in a new College library, some joint teaching spaces and a café, while the opening hours of the community library will be extended to seven days a week.

Nigel Brinn, Powys County Council’s Executive Director for Economy and Environment, said: “The transfer of these prominent town centre buildings will bring considerable regeneration benefits to Brecon, boosting the trade of shops and businesses and breathing more life into the town centre.

“The council will work closely with NPTC Group of Colleges as they deliver their development plans for Brecon Beacons College.”

Mark Dacey, CEO and Principal of NPTC Group of Colleges, said he was delighted that progress was being made. “This project has been in the pipeline for some time, and we are delighted that it is now moving in the right direction with contracts for Watton Mount and Ship Street Library being exchanged.”

Award-Winning Teaching

Here at NPTC Group of Colleges you will be taught by experts with a wealth of industry specific knowledge plus firm links with the best employers, giving you the highest quality of teaching and learning. In fact, our teaching is so good that we have been named the best College in Wales and tenth in the whole of the UK*

We pride ourselves on giving every student the individual support they need to succeed, whether that be progressing onto top universities, apprenticeships or into your dream career with the best employers.

At whatever level you join us, we will be with you every step of the way to support your educational journey, and promise that whenever you decide to leave us, you will leave with the skills and qualifications needed to flourish.

Within each subject area there is a regular programme of assessment and support. You will be involved in planning your individual learning and setting targets for improvement which are regularly reviewed with your tutors. We provide tutorial support in addition to timetabled lessons to assist exam preparation, UCAS applications and pastoral support. Our library is well-equipped and provides access to the services and resources that you need for your studies. As well as extensive collections of books, newspapers, magazines and DVDs, our centres also offer access to online information, advice on research methods and can help with references.

* School leavers awards 2020

Your Application Your Journey Your College

Welcome to the online application system here at NPTC Group of Colleges. You have the power to manage every stage of your journey, from researching courses that interest you, to completing the application form and setting interview dates. You can also log into your account at anytime to see where you are in the process.

Right Course, Right Choice!

With so many choices available we understand that making a decision can be difficult. We are here to support you through the process, whether it be vocational courses or an apprenticeship!

So how do you choose?

Explore your options by reading our full-time prospectus, browsing our website for ideas, attending open evenings or taking advantage of our awesome career app, ‘Career Coach’.

KEEP IN TOUCH

It’s now down to you and getting the grades you need –if at any stage you change your mind about the course you have chosen to study or you don’t get the grades, don’t panic! Remember, we are always here to help. Don’t forget you can change your choice of course at any stage, right up to enrolment.

Good luck in your GCSEs and we'll see you in September!

ApplyINg FOR A Course

Go to the search bar and type in one of the subjects you wish to apply for e.g. Brickwork, Dance, Sport or Hairdressing. Click on the course of your choice from the search results. and then the 'Apply Now' button on the right.

If this is your first time applying to the College, you’ll need to create a Learning Hub account so make sure you have an e-mail address ready.

Your username will be the first part of your e-mail address (the section before the @).

Passwords must be at least nine characters long and contain at least one uppercase, one lowercase and one number.

Once you have completed the form and clicked register, a pop-up will show you what your username is – but you will also receive an e-mail confirmation. Once you have clicked 'register', you can continue with your application. Simply fill out each stage step-bystep. If at any point you need any help, College staff are always on hand to help via telephone, e-mail or social media! E-mail: admissions@nptcgroup.ac.uk

You can stop at any point and the application will be saved. To log back in just visit the College homepage. The MY APPLICATION button is located on the top of the page.

We’re planning our interviews for the next academic year right now and you will be able to book an interview by signing into Learning Hub. An interview is a chance for you and your parents/guardians to come in to talk to us, find out all about the College and get more information on the subjects or courses you’ve chosen to study. There’s no need to worry about your interview, it’s a relaxed and informal opportunity to ask questions and make sure the course is right for you.

After you have discussed your entry requirements at your interview and chosen the course you want to study, we will put your conditional offer on Learning Hub, which you can immediately accept.

If you ever need to log back into your account, you’ll find the MY APPLICATION button on the top of the homepage. You will be able to tell where you are in the application process on your homepage!

WHY STUDY LEVEL 3 AWARD IN

ADVANCED SKILLS BACCALAUREATE WALES?

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (AdvSBW) qualification is an exciting new Level 3 qualification that supports students to become effective, responsible and active citizens, equipping them with the skills for future study or to enter the job market.

The qualification has primarily been designed for students aged 16-19, and can be taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications, including A Levels.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Our two-year course is made up of three projects: Global Community Project, Future Destination Project, and Individual Project. You will develop and apply the four Integral skills and have opportunities to develop the three embedded skills. Students will take part in a variety of exciting activities and contexts which will be based on the United Nations sustainable development agenda and Wales’s Well-being Goals as defined by the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales).

WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?

You will develop a range of skills which are attractive to employers, colleges and universities including:

Integral

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

Global Community Project (25%)

You will select a global issue to investigate, share your knowledge with others and take part in a community action.

Future Destination Project (25%)

You will gain an understanding of yourself, explore future employment and wellbeing goals, and plan how you can achieve this.

Individual Project (50%)

You will plan, manage, and research a topic linked to your future education or career aspirations, and create a written dissertation or an artefact.

Assessments can be taken throughout the two-year course with external moderation in January and May. You are likely to complete the Individual Project in the second year.

CAREERS WITH AdvSBW

This qualification allows you to develop important skills that you can take forward whether you are moving on to university, training or employment. Developing these skills will help you become an effective, responsible and active citizen and can have a profound effect on your future success and wellbeing.

"The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales develops valuable problem-solving skills, by providing relatable problems to which learners can productively work towards proposed solutions. It allows learners to analyse information, to consider multiple approaches to a problem, and whilst working collaboratively, recommended creative solutions."

Rebecca Davies Chief Operating Officer at Engineering Education Scheme Wales Ltd

Career Coach - tailored careers advice using local job market intelligence

When students have a clear vision of the future, they’re more likely to excel in their studies and go on to forge successful careers. Career Coach is a free online tool available from NPTC Group of Colleges that can help shape that vision.

Using comprehensive job market data, Career Coach can help you find your perfect job and the courses that will help you get there!

Career Coach’s detailed online assessment suggests careers based on your interests and skills. With detailed labour market information, expected earnings and the number of jobs in the area, Career Coach highlights the best courses to help you progress into your chosen career.

Career Coach also links into the College’s Career Ready initiative which has been specifically designed to get you ready for the world of work. Career Ready offers CV writing workshops, interview preparation and practice, work experience placements and support with all aspects of the application process.

IT PAYS TO Learn

If studying full-time is not for you, then work-based learning could be exactly what you are looking for. There are programmes to suit everyone! Work-based learning gives you the chance to gain experience in a real job, plus job-specific qualifications while earning money. Opportunities vary depending on the programme.

Why become an apprentice?

q Earn while you learn - be paid a salary q Gain skills, knowledge, experience and face new challenges q Gain a nationally recognised qualification q Excellent progression opportunities.

What types of apprenticeships are there? q There are three types of apprenticeships you can apply for depending on current skills and qualifications: q Foundation apprenticeship - Level 2 q Apprenticeship - Level 3 q Higher apprenticeship - Level 4+.

Apprenticeships

You will be on placement with an employer and possibly attend College for one day a week. You will be assessed in the workplace and helped to gather evidence for your portfolio.

Jobs Growth Wales+

If you are aged 16-18 years, Jobs Growth Wales+ offers learning programmes to support you to build work-related skills and identify career choices. This is a very flexible programme designed around you to develop new skills and gain recognised qualifications to boost your career options until you venture onto your apprenticeship, college or work journey. To apply you must be:

Between 16-18 years old; and

Living in Wales; and

Are not in full-time education, employment or training

What will it offer me?

Receive ongoing training support from a designated contractor

Evidence to state on career related applications and CVs

Free training and work experiences

Build your confidence as you grow your skills and experience

Get a foot in the door and access to jobs with local employers.

What support is available through Jobs Growth Wales+? Jobs Growth Wales+ has three strands of support:

Jobs Growth Wales Plus Engagement

Jobs Growth Wales Plus Advancement

Jobs Growth Wales Plus Employment.

An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme where you can earn a wage while you learn. If you live in Wales and are over 16 and not in full-time education, you can apply for an apprenticeship.

Degree Apprenticeships

NPTC Group of Colleges and Wrexham Glyndŵr University (WGU) have recently been awarded funding under the new Degree Apprenticeship Pilot Programme for Wales. Reflecting the skills needs of Wales, universities and other degree awarding institutions were asked to design a new suite of digital programmes to enable Welsh organisations to upskill their existing employees or recruit new talent in areas such as software engineering, cyber security and data science for the new digital degree apprenticeships framework. Interested?

818 9442

How did our apprenticES do?

experience needed to grow and progress, which has opened up the doors to a new career opportunity."

Ashley has progressed to become a L3 Health & Social Care Assessor for Pathways Training Newtown

Dyfrig Micah

Apprentice

"

Level 3 Agricultural Engineering:

Completing my level 2 qualification and now near to completing my level 3 Apprenticeship in Land-based Service Engineering has been a fantastic experience. One I would recommend to anyone."

Ben Randell & Sam Crumpton

Apprentices

"We greatly value the knowledge gained by Dyfrig going to Newtown College covering Agricultural Engineering. He is now a very valued member of our workshop engineering team."

Jake Carter & Liam Rowlands Apprentices Level 3 Fabrication & Welding Engineering:

"My apprentices Jake Carter and Liam Rowlands have become friends since starting on the course in September. They have said that coming to college as part of their apprenticeship has given them the opportunity to not only learn their craft and obtain their L2 qualification, but have met new people that they might not have met outside of college as they work for different organisations."

Ashley Bryant

Apprentice Level 3

Health & Social Care:

"Completing my Health and Social Care Adults Level 3 qualification was such an amazing experience. It provided me with the knowledge and

Level 2 Plumbing:

“Every day we work in different places and see different people and completing an apprenticeship in plumbing is filling a vital gap in the construction sector. Learning and earning money is a great way to achieve a professional trade and it's also good for my mental health.”

Phoebe

Apprentice

Level 3 Business Administration:

"Doing an apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to work for a local business that cares about the community. With the support of my employer, colleagues and NVQ Assessor I am learning about Business Administrations and Customer Service with the opportunity to put these new skills into practice."

Tim Hughes Director for Smithfield Tractors Builth Wells:

Welcome to the Newtown 6th Form Academy Partnership

Welcome to the best of both worlds!

The Newtown 6th Form Academy Partnership is an exciting, innovative partnership between Newtown College and Newtown High School.

By working in partnership we are able to offer the very best teaching and learning experiences for students across a wide variety of courses; offering you the freedom to follow the pathway of your choice and embrace your personal learning style.

Our partnership will offer an exciting, broad and diverse curriculum which can be tailored to the needs of each student. In addition, there will be the opportunity to link with industry professionals at the College and dedicated, experienced staff at School and College.

Newtown 6th Form Academy Partnership

We run a full and varied provision of AS, A Level and BTEC subjects in the 6th Form Academy across Newtown College and Newtown High School, and we recommend that all pupils should study a range of at least three subjects, in addition to the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification (WBQ). In exceptional circumstances, it is possible to study five subjects, providing this has been agreed with the Head of the 6th Form Academy.

ACCESS TO HUMANITIES

The Access to Higher Education Diploma – Humanities is designed to prepare students to study Humanities and Social Science in Higher Education. This is located in the Sixth Form Academy.

It provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to progress to Higher Education or to enhance employment potential

What will I do?

Teaching and learning will take place by a process of lectures, tutorials, seminars, discussions, demonstrations, blended learning and group work.

Learners will be assessed by using a range of assessment strategies including presentations, essays and class tests. Learners will be assessed by a range of assessments methods.

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the course allows entry onto a wide range of degree programmes including

Law

History

English

Psychology

Counselling

Criminology

Teacher Training

Social Work

Access to Humanities and Social Science

3

This course caters for students 19 and over who are hoping to return to education. Students will need a C grade in GCSE English and a D in GCSE maths or equivalent. However, those without these grades will be required to sit an initial skills assessment prior to enrolling, followed by an interview.

1 Year Newtown

Career-Focused Courses

Agriculture and FARmINg

Agriculture is more than just farming; it is one of the world’s biggest businesses. There are over 200 different career areas available in agriculture and presently there is a very high demand throughout the industry for educated, practically skilled and motivated young people.

Approximately 450,000 people work in the UK agricultural industry, of which almost 300,000 are in managerial or partnership roles within a farming enterprise. Choosing to study agriculture will provide a fulfilling and interesting career choice and it will also open the doors to many other industries, due to the broad education, skills and training that you will experience.

Fronlas Farm at Newtown College operates a 140-hectare working upland sheep and beef farm which allows students to gain up-to-date practical experience that reflects the agriculture industry of mid Wales and the small and medium enterprises in which most agricultural and agricultural engineering students find employment.

The farm boasts a range of purpose-built classrooms as well as cattle and sheep housing and state-of-the-art handling facilities.

We also offer extensive opportunities for estate skills, conservation and diversification. The farm carries around 150 beef cattle, including a suckler herd and a beef finishing enterprise, and 750 breeding sheep rearing around 1,200 lambs.

Newtown College's Themes Restaurant is supplied with both beef and lamb from the farm. The farm also supplies both Morrisons and Sainsbury’s supermarkets with lamb throughout the year.

What will I do?

Our courses are extremely hands on, and also allow you to gain valuable work in the landbased sector.

At College you will cover areas such as livestock production, crop production, estate maintenance, and tractor and machinery maintenance and operations. These subjects will be delivered by our lecturers who possess extensive industry knowledge of modern production systems as well as cutting-edge IT technologies, including drones and GPS systems.

Many of our students progress to higher education either at the College studying the HND in Agriculture course, or other institutions to study other agriculture-related degrees.

Career opportunities

On completing an agriculture course, students can choose from a wide range of practical career paths within the UK agricultural sector, including farm manager, livestock manager, nutritionist, agronomist, farm consultant, farm inspector, and auctioneer.

Elin Protheroe HND Agriculture

Elin has shown a high level of commitment to her HND Agriculture course despite all the challenges we have faced over the last two years. She is heavily involved in the running of her family farm and is the secretary of her local YFC group. She is an attentive student who always participates fully and gets involved in class debates where she contributes with robust, reasoned arguments. Elin’s hard work has been rewarded with a Distinction. Her research project was especially interesting since it looked at the role of Welsh uplands farms in feeding the nation, a topic area Elin is very passionate about.

The YFC has opened many doors for Elin. At a county level she has held the position of Youth Forum Chairman and has been awarded Junior member of the year. She competes in YFC Wool handling competitions and has won the YFC Wool handling competition at the Royal Welsh Show and the Novice All-Nations award allowing her to compete in the Welsh Team at the Royal Balmoral Ireland. She has also competed in stock judging competitions, public speaking, and Fferm Factor.

Elin also gives a considerable amount of her time to the community and has recently taken on the role of sponsorship secretary for the Welsh International Speed Shear which is run alongside the Royal Welsh Show as a fund-raising event. She has won the Student of the Year at the same show in 2021.

Earlier this year Elin was awarded the prestigious Lantra learner of the year for persons aged 20 years and under which recognised her contribution to the land-based sector in Wales. Recently she has been informed that she is a finalist in the nationwide journal- “Farmers’ Weekly” Student of the Year Award which is a fantastic achievement. On top of this she won the NPTC Group of Colleges Student of the Year for 2022.

Elin plans to “top-up” her HND qualification with a degree at Harper Adams University in the autumn and then plans to travel across the world to gain new experiences through working in different countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand. Her long-term ambition being to return home and work alongside her father on the family beef and sheep farm.

She has been and will continue to be a great ambassador for NPTC Group of Colleges and Agriculture generally.

C&G

C&G

“I am just completing the Level 3 in Agriculture and have had such a fabulous experience on the working farm here. I was a runner up in the Lantra Cymru Awards and am now applying to go to University”

Emma Morgan-Page

Elin Protheroe

At NPTC Group of Colleges we will help, support, and guide you on your way to becoming a part of this very fast moving and dynamic sector. The UK had an estimated 2.29m creative industries jobs in the year to September 2021, including 1.62m permanent roles, official statistics show.

A further 663,000 creative industry jobs were selfemployed. Overall, employment in the creative industries has not suffered during the pandemic as much as was initially feared. The creative industries accounted for 6.9 per cent of all UK jobs in September. This is up from 5.8 per cent in 2015, since when the creative industries have added about 400,000 new UK jobs.

When creative jobs that are outside the creative industries are also added in – to calculate the total of the UK's creative economy – the total figure has reached 3.12 million, meaning one out of every 11 jobs is in this industry.

Our lecturers are practising artists so you will be learning from those who still play an active part in the creative sector. At NPTC Group of Colleges, we will give you the opportunity to explore your personal creative talent in the context of a wider cultural arena and to shape it, change it and make a difference.

We are a creative centre for learning where students progress, we aim to help you be career ready!

What will I do?

Lessons are taught in a creative environment, using cutting-edge industry standard equipment within purpose-built specialist facilities.

There are numerous opportunities provided for Art and Design, Photography and Creative Media students to exhibit work both within the college and at external public events. Creative Media students work on ‘live’ projects, during which they will liaise with clients and screen their final piece of work

Career opportunities

Creative, Visual & Performing Arts Student of Year 2022 - Minka Stears

Minka received a Distinction in her UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma and is an outstanding student and very talented artist. She specialised in contemporary portraiture and has produced many fabulous pieces both large and small scale.

While she is interested in documenting people, their bodies and the way they hold themselves through art, she has also produced numerous animal pictures in oil paints and inks too. Minka is also talented at other techniques including pastel chalks. She builds her work from a sketches to larger scale paintings.

Minka progressed onto the Art Foundation Course at New town College before University, where in the last year she has designed and painted a mural for Newtown town centre celebrating Laura Ashley’s heritage, as part of the extra cur ricula Art Club.

She created a painting focussed on the pressures of climate change on young people’s mental health, as part of the One Generation Project exhibition at the Oriel Davies. This led to she her volunteering at the Gallery where she worked with their Creative Producer to curate our Art & Design Depart ment’s End of Year ‘Process 22’ Exhibition.

She also modelled her own designs in the ‘Made in Wales Fashion Show’ at the Pryce Jones building in collaboration with Fashion Enter, which was hugely successful, highlighting the history and importance of Fashion & Textiles in MidWales.

On top of this she achieved a Distinction Grade for her port folio of work on the Foundation Diploma, producing exceptionally inventive, mature and skilful paint ings.

Minka said ‘I'd highly recommend the Art and Design courses at Newtown College for anyone looking to expand their confi dence and skills, as well as learning more about the creative industries. I found all the tutors helpful and friendly, and the college was great overall.‘

Shop Window Transformation

This shop window had seen better days. A post was put out in Facebook calling for someone local to transform the space. Newtown Art & Design Department took on the challenge! This was designed, curated and executed by the students during the lunch time Art Club.

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

The painting is inspired by the legendary Laura Ashley who has left a massive mark on the local area. We hope the local people of Newtown and the surrounding area will enjoy this vibrant painting that was a massive team effort, seven weeks in the making. We will miss painting this at lunch times now!

Level Entry Requirements

UAL Diploma in Art and Design 2 2 GCSEs A*-C or an appropriate Level 1 qualification

Duration Location

1 Year Newtown

UAL Diploma in Art and Design 3 A relevant Level 2 qualification or 5 GCSEs grade C or above to include GCSE English 2 Years Newtown

UAL Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology 2 2 GCSEs A*-C or an appropriate Level 1 qualification

UAL Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology 3 5 GCSEs A*-C including English. A relevant Level 2 Qualification.

1 Year Newtown

2 Years Newtown Foundation Diploma in Art and Design 3/4 1 A Level at grade C or an Extended Diploma. Mature students (age 21+) will be considered on the basis of a portfolio.

Professional Diploma in Technical & Production Practice for the Creative Industries

4

If you are under 21, you must have one of the following: 5 GCSE passes at grade A*- C, (or equivalent) plus an Extended Diploma (Creative Media related) or two AS subjects OR one full A Level and be over 17. All students need to submit a portfolio of practical work at interview.

1 Year Newtown

1 Year Newtown

We welcome applications from mature students.If you are over 21, have few qualifications but are interested in the Creative Media Industry, please get in touch with us to talk about how we can help you.

“My year at College provided me with a unique experience and a laid back course with exceptional tutors who stayed connected and motivating despite the Covid lockdown. I am very happy and grateful for this year”.

Tobias Williams, FAD Student.

Creative Director Senior Graphic Designer

“The tutors provide support and guidance for the future and the courses offer a wide range of facilities to explore and you gain useful knowledge”.

Kate Poole, second year Level 3 student.

Freelance £500 to £700+ per day

Freelance £200 to £400 per day

Employed £100k to £160k+

Employed £35 to £55k

A career as a mechanic or vehicle repair means guaranteeing a future of steady work as a mechanic. Slumps in the economy can affect people buying new cars, but vehicles will always require maintenance and repair. If you enjoy meeting different people every day, being ‘hands on’, working with cutting edge technology, or have a creative eye and a love of restoration – then a career working with any vehicle is waiting for you.

The motor vehicle departments at Newtown and Brecon Beacon Beacons College also have fully equipped workshops with four post, two post and scissor-style vehicle lifts, diagnostic testing equipment from Bosch, Crypton, Pico, Autel and ASNU ultrasonic injector cleaning facilities. The Newtown Campus also has a fully functional MOT-style ATL testing bay and dedicated diagnostics area.

The Motor Vehicle department has grown in 2022 with the eagerly awaited delivery of a dedicated electric vehicle electric rig and a Peugeot 208 vehicle to support the learning and training opportunities for new electric

vehicle technologies. Now learners will have even more opportunities to learn about the vehicles and their latest technologies.

What will I do?

Our courses aim to explore a vehicle’s construction and accurately repair damage to the vehicle and its body ready for finishing. You will complete a series of assignments and practical tasks carried out in excellent facilities.

Career opportunities

Employment for mechanics is usually with garages, transport companies, road haulage companies or large organisations with fleets of vehicles. At technician level you will perform skilled diagnostic work, including work on electronic and computer controlled systems. The work is challenging and logical, involving a lot of problem solving. In larger companies, it is usually possible to gain promotion to supervisory and management roles.

Automotive Engineering

Level 3 Motor Vehicle students at Newtown College got a rare opportunity to learn more about future electric battery operated technologies when they got to view an electric conversion of a classic Fiat 500 thanks to Electric Classic Cars of Mid Wales.

The Fiat 500 has all the character of a classic with a modern twist. The motor is mounted at the back (giving more luggage space at the front), and includes three battery packs with a hidden charge point under the Fiat badge. The students took a keen interest in the set up, with the speed and power advantages of electric quickly realised. As a classic enthusiast, Tom Watkins, technician at the College, took particular interest.

Dan Pritchard, Motor Vehicle lecturer, said that training in hybrids and electrics was "an area the College was currently looking into. This new vehicle technology is going to play an important role in the future of the industry and it’s great to see examples of classics like the Fiat converted, and to know that this and others are available to view on our doorstep".

Electric Classic Cars is based in mid Wales and has produced a number of classic conversions which include a 911 Porsche, a 1972 Range Rover and a BMW E9. The business owned by Richard Morgan has quickly grown and Richard said how important it was that students now learn about electric vehicles to support both current builds and conversions: "There will be a greater demand in the forthcoming years for this knowledge and it's surprising how many misconceptions already exist about battery powered cars."

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

Level Entry Requirements

Duration Location

Automotive Engineering 1 GCSEs grade D/E or above is desirable, but practical experience is also considered 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

Automotive Engineering 2 4 GCSEs grade C or above is desirable, but practical experience is also considered 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

Automotive Engineering 3 5 GCSEs grade C or above are desirable, but practical experience is also considered. 1 Year Brecon

“We were delighted to become the first college in Wales at the beginning of 2020 to offer training with the block automotive electric and hybrid vehicle training equipment. We have had the pleasure of training vocational students and industry professionals in Levels 1-4 award in electric/ hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement.”

Lecturer, Dan Pritchard

Today’s beauty and applied therapy industry is an everexpanding, ever-changing, ever-fascinating sector. If you are innovative and ambitious, there is no limit to your potential, be it in PR, journalism, makeup, a salon owner, beauty therapist or founding your own beauty company!

No other industry has such a constant worldwide demand for qualified, creative, well-trained individuals. The beauty/ applied therapy industry offers bright opportunities with careers in the fashion industry as a makeup artist or stylist. You might have the independence to start your own salon or spa or even become an instructor at College and inspire others to enter into the business.

What will I do?

As part of the Lee Stafford Academy Hairdressing, Barbering and Applied Therapies, you will be taught in industry leading salons by highly skilled professionals with a wealth of beauty industry knowledge. Courses will cover makeup, massage therapies and technical aesthetic applications such as eyebrow shaping, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, waxing, manicure and pedicure, as well as anatomy and physiology, skin and hair growth.

opportunities

Ariyarnna Tidbury

Newtown College student Ariyarnna Tidbury has made it through to the final eight in the Beauty Practioner WorldSkills Competition to be held in Blackpool in November.

This follows on from her success at the Skills Wales Competition where she achieved a Bronze medal.

The WorldSkills competition focuses on the role and tasks of a Beauty Therapy Practitioner carrying out a range of services which reflect both current and traditional

Beauty Therapist £21k in salon Makeup Artist £40 per hour (freelance)

standards plus current industry requirements. Competitors will be tested on health and safety, exceptional client care and communication skills as well as specialist skills and technical knowledge to the highest level.

Beauty and Applied Therapy Lecturer Lisa Brandon said: ‘I am extremely proud of all of Ariyarnna's achievements and to get through to the final just shows what skill level and dedication she has.’

Salon Owner up to £100k Senior Stylist £30k - emsi

“We were delighted to have students Ariyarnna Tidbury and Lucy Lewis achieve Bronze medals at the Skills Wales Competition this year.” Lecturer, Lisa Brandon

Ariyarnna Tidbury

BusINESs and MANagement

Business and related subjects such as finance, accounting, management and economics are among the most popular fields of study at universities worldwide. This is because business graduates are in high demand worldwide, business touches on pretty much every aspect of modern human society, and careers with a business degree are diverse and often highly paid.

The School of Business, Tourism and Management reflects this successful and dynamic sector, with staff bringing a balance of academic excellence and industry expertise to ensure a stimulating and positive learning experience.

What will I do?

The College is committed to improving numeracy, literacy and digital literacy skills. Students on all courses are encouraged to develop their basic skills which are vital to ensure career success.

The department offers workshops run by experienced business people, and first-class links with local businesses to ensure that students gain a deep understanding of how companies are managed and run.

Career opportunities

Accounting

Business administration

Event managing

Forensic accounting

Hotel management

Human resources

Marketing

Rural tourism

Stockbroker.

career options”. Chloe Preece.

Newly qualified lecturers praise College

Three alumni of the Business, Tourism and Management school in Brecon Beacons College have come together to praise the College for its support in helping them become qualified lecturers. Romina West (left), Harriet Bailey (front middle) and Michelle Dorise-Turrall (right) all now teach at NPTC Group of Colleges after succeeding in Business courses and completing placement hours with the College.

Starting in 2011, Romina West completed the BTEC Level 3 Business & Law course she now teaches, and immediately went on to study Business, Management and IT BA (Hons) in Brecon Beacons College.

Afterwards, she trained to be a teacher to replicate the positive impact lecturers at the College had on her education. Romina now wants to say a “big thank you to Senior Lecturer Robin Flower (middle back) for his continued support over the years.

“When I was doing my PGCE with the University of South Wales, Robin still offered to help me find placement hours when I was struggling to find a place to take me on. I then did my placement back where I’d started with the College.”

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

Harriet Bailey followed the same path as Romina after dropping out of sixth form, commenting: “if it hadn’t been for the College’s courses in Brecon after I dropped out of sixth form, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“The support and mentorship from all the tutors in the Business school while I was learning, and later qualifying as a teacher, has always been very paternalistic.” Harriet now teaches with the Business school in Newtown.

Level Entry Requirements

Duration Location

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business with Law 3 6 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths or English Language. 2 Years Brecon

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business 3 6 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths or English Language. 2 Years Newtown

BTEC Extended Diploma in Business 3 6 GCSEs at grade C or above including Mathematics and English Language. 2 Years Newtown

Computing, WebsITe and Game DEsign

With employment in the computing and digital industries set to grow at five times the national average over the next decade, computing and digital technology is fast becoming one of the UK’s most highly paid careers, accounting for over 1.58m jobs across the UK.

Top employment sectors include application and software development, data management, cyber security, data analytics, hardware, devices, and open source hardware. All our full-time courses are aimed at students who want to gain nationally recognised qualifications in computing and digital technology. We will help you to meet your personal, career and employment goals whether you are leaving school, are in work or simply want to improve your computing skills.

Past students are now working as: software developers, dynamic CRM developers, data analysts, IT support and operations technicians, web and eCommerce developers, data warehouse analysts, and systems analysts.

Our dedicated lecturers have sector experience backed up with subject-specific knowledge. Lessons unfold in creative ways illustrated with real-life case studies and examples. Students can take on industry work experience.

The department uses modern hardware and software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Visual Studio Community, Visual Studio Code, Java, Audacity and Game Maker, Unity, Maya, React Native, VM Ware, macOS, Windows, Linux, Oculus Quest 2. All our courses are delivered in bespoke IT laboratories with a specialised suite for the delivery of PC construction and network developments.

Achievement on our programmes currently stands at 99%, and 100% of BSc students find employment in computingrelated careers within three months of graduating.

What will I do?

You will explore how computing and digital technology is used in industry by developing sector specific knowledge, technical and practical skills, along with how to apply these skills in a work related environment.

Career opportunities

The majority of students on computing and digital technology courses progress on to higher education and within NPTC Group of Colleges, we can offer our students degrees on their doorsteps. We have an ideal progression route where, following the successful completion of the Level 3 Extended Diploma or A Level programme in a related discipline, students can progress on to the HND Computing (two years) followed by the BSc (Hons) Applied Computing (third year).

To go on to higher education or secure employment in a range of business and technology focused organisations, many students study computer related courses. Some of the organisations that employ past students and graduates include Fujitsu, NPTCBC, The Good IT Company, BVG Group, Tech-Wales Ltd, Box UK, DVLA, CGI, Arvato CRM Solutions and Virgin Media.

Please note that if you are considering teaching as a career, universities require GCSEs at grade B or above for Maths, English and Science. For Computer Science courses some universities ask for a minimum of grade B at Maths GCSE.

Potential Career Opportunities: Software/Apps Design and Development, Cyber Forensics, Games Design and Development, Web Design / Development, Systems Analysis, Database Development / Administration, Technical Support, Network and Security.

Friends re-unite and praise IT courses

Two friends and former students of Brecon Beacons College recently re-united in their old classroom and gave its IT courses the thumbs up!

Jamie Smith (left) and Luc Zimmer (right) studied the BTEC Extended Diploma in IT from 2017 to 2019 and have since moved on to apprenticeships in their chosen careers. The two friends came back to college for a visit to their tutor, Helen Griffiths, and wanted their stories to be told about what they learned from the course.

Jamie decided against doing A Levels after his GCSEs and finished a Level 2 diploma in IT at another College. When he moved into the area, the BTEC Level 3 was available for him to continue his learning. He achieved an overall merit and a place on an apprenticeship with an e-commerce company. Now he works as a Customer Service Team Leader for the same company he had the apprenticeship with.

Jamie wanted to emphasise that “studying IT doesn’t mean you have to go into an IT career. Learning skills in Microsoft Office Excel, for example, means I can get on with my work a lot faster.”

Jamie also said: “One of the best things about the course is you learn different aspects of computing. We had lessons on web design, gaming and cybersecurity. I’ve helped with web design in work since then.”

“I remember enjoying a lot of the work, like me and Luc doing a presentation about cybersecurity and Fortnite, and going on trips to universities for workshops. Our classes were also small, which meant we had more time with the tutor and could focus easily.”

Luc, meanwhile, found the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma through Careers Wales. He’d wanted to move on to something different to his work in hospitality and enrolled after a successful interview Since passing the BTEC, Luc has moved on to a Technical Support apprenticeship in Cardiff.

On his visit, he said: “I could have settled for the easy option of staying in my job in hospitality, but I decided to push myself and do something different. I now use something that I learned on the course every day in my apprenticeship.”

Luc added that he “learned a lot aside from technical skills. Our tutors would always want work done on time, which gave us experience in working to deadlines; something I’d be struggling without in my apprenticeship as we have to work to Service Learning Agreements.”

On what she is most proud of, tutor Helen Griffiths answered: “Seeing how my students have taken our guidance and forged a career. Every student who has returned to visit expresses that ‘meeting deadlines’ was one of the most important skills they learnt as well as IT.”

Student Success

Seven incredibly talented Computing and IT Students took Skills Competition Wales by storm recently, taking nearly half of all the top spots in the Cyber Security, Coding Skills and Web Design categories.

Skills Competition Wales, delivered by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project on behalf of the Skills Ambassador Network, is designed to raise the profile of skills in Wales. Focusing on growth areas and the needs of the economy, the competition helps boost the skillsets of the future workforce.

Skills Competition Wales is aligned to WorldSkills, with many competitors going on to compete in WorldSkills UK competitions.

q Web Design Gold: Juned Miah

q Web Design Silver: Oliver Smith q Coding Bronze: Rhys Watkins

q Inclusive Skills ICT Silver: Holly Davies

“I’m incredibly proud of all the students who competed. It’s a fantastic achievement demonstrating the talent that is here at NPTC Group of Colleges and also a testament to the expertise and support provided by our teaching staff.’’ Eira Williams, Director of

Studies

Jamie Smith and Luc Zimmer

Vocational

CONSTruction and The Built EnvirONment

Building the Future

A new suite of qualifications has been introduced across Wales that has been developed with employers to better meet the skills needs of the built environment sector.

There will be an increased focus on new and traditional techniques, on knowledge of the industry as a whole and on the generic skills needed to progress into work from education.

Construction Skills (Multi Trade – Pre Foundation)

Construction Skills Level 1 is a full-time, further education course designed for students who are interested in a career in the construction industry. The course consists of a knowledge of health and safety, practical and theory sessions from some of the following, depending on the chosen College: bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, painting or tiling.

The Level 2 Foundation in Construction and Built Environment

The Level 2 Foundation in Construction and Built Environment is a brand new qualification where you study two trade experiences from the following:

q Working with brick, block and stone

q Wood occupations

q Painting and decorating

q Wall and floor tiling

q Groundworks.

The Construction and Building Services industry has around three million workers in the UK, making it one of the

country’s biggest employers. The industry requires a large number of newly trained operatives each year in order to keep up with demand. Jobs are available across all areas, and with salaries rising at the moment, there has never been a better time to join this rewarding industry.

Training takes place in spacious and well-equipped workshops where students have the chance to develop new knowledge and skills which will equip them for a successful career in the construction industry.

What will I do?

Tuition is carried out by industrially experienced and qualified staff who focus on developing students' skills. Many of our staff are former students of the College and understand how to make learning interesting and enjoyable and are able to get the best out of students.

You will cover practical craft skills, job knowledge and advanced trade techniques in your chosen path. You will also learn the interpretation of construction drawings and the calculation of materials and costings. Students are also encouraged to participate in skills competitions as a means of enhancing their practical ability and developing higher level skills.

Assessment

To achieve this qualification, learners must complete:

q One externally set, externally marked multiple-choice test

q One externally set, internally marked project covering two trade areas

q One externally set, internally marked guided discussion

q One externally set, internally marked health and safety test.

Student Success

The school of Construction and the Built Environment couldn’t be happier as their medal haul hit double figures at the recent Skills Wales Competition.

Gold medals were won in each of the four trades offered at the College, including Painting and Decorating student Paul Mason, Kellan Marney from Brickwork, Plasterer Johnny Donaldson and female carpenter Sammy Young.

Progression

On completion, the qualification will provide a broad foundational knowledge across the construction or built environment industry as well as introductory knowledge and skills in two chosen pathways. The qualification provides the knowledge to progress on to further study:

q Progression in Construction Level 2 (Full-time) –City & Guilds

q Construction Level 3 Two-year (Part-time Apprenticeship) –City & Guilds

q Construction Level 3 Three-year (Part-time Apprenticeship) – City & Guilds

CoursES

Then came Silvers for Thomas Morgan, Carpentry, Kian Brown, Plastering, and Craydon Rive from Brickwork, followed by Bronzes from Mai Ball in Painting and Decorating, Thomas Johns from Plastering and carpenter Dafydd Jenkins.

An incredible ten medals in total were won overall, making these results the best the school has ever achieved. Skills competitions are an excellent way of stretching and challenging students over and above their coursework.

Who is the qualification for?

It is suitable for:

q Learners aged 16+ currently working in or intending to work in the construction and built environment sector. Site operatives who want to widen their knowledge, understanding and skills in the sector more generally.

q Learners will need to have achieved, or be working towards their Level 2 Essential Skills English and Maths (or equivalent). There are no other additional entry requirements for this qualification.

Duration Location Construction Skills (Multi Trade / Pre Foundation) 1 No formal qualifications

Career-Focused Courses

1 Year Brecon/ Newtown Foundation in Construction and the Built Environment 2 GCSE in English and Maths, grade D or above.

1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

Newtown

EngINeerINg

An engineering career will provide you with excellent pay, lots of variety in your work and high levels of job satisfaction. Whichever discipline you choose, building a strong foundation of knowledge with an engineering course at NPTC Group of Colleges can start you out on your journey to success.

You will gain other skills for English, Maths and IT, personal learning skills and social and communication skills which will make you a more rounded, employable professional. Our close relationship with the industry ensures that we are in step with the latest technological advances, giving you the very best training available.

What will I do?

MECHANICAL/MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING

Mechanical/Maintenance Engineering involves many different routes including analysis, design, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems. You will develop a solid understanding of key concepts. Mechanical/ Maintenance Engineers use these principles and others in the design and analysis of specialist components in a variety of sectors.

Our purpose-built industry-specification workshops and classrooms house state-of-the-art engineering equipment and computers. Workshops contain manual lathes, milling machines and engineering benches, while separate specialised workshops and classrooms contain Haas advanced Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines in both milling and turning, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing technology. Our hydraulics and pneumatics/electro-pneumatics workshop houses many vital test rigs, which are essential to test and assess the capability and performance of components for industrial use.

FABRICATION & WELDING

The fabrication and welding industry requires highly skilled people for the many employment opportunities in areas such as energy, oil and gas, engineering maintenance and industrial manufacturing.

Our highly skilled lecturers will support and guide you through the basics of this industry and you will learn how welding integrates into an engineering system.

Our industrial specification purpose-built fabrication and welding workshops house high-quality equipment, covering all aspects of welding applications, including Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Manual Metal Arc (MMA), and Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing (DT/NDT) CNC Plasma machines.

Career opportunities

q Strong links with over 100 local, regional and national employers q Great progression opportunities to university and excellent apprenticeship programmes q Fantastic state-of-the-art engineering facilities q Courses matched to industry standards to meet skills needed

q One of the most in-demand, growing sectors of industry.

Student Success

Sam Cottrell – Mechanical Engineering Student Sam Cottrell has been crowned the ‘Best in Wales’ against 40+ students/competitors from the 12 Welsh FE Colleges and other learning providers as part of Skills Competition Wales.

Sam has now secured a place within the Welsh Squad and will now compete against other United Kingdom medal winners head to head for number one position to represent the UK against the rest of the world.

Curtis Rees

Welding Apprentice - Now employed at NPTC Group of Colleges

Curtis Rees, a welding apprentice from Neath College, was among the nation’s top skilled young people who were recognised at the WorldSkills National Final two years ago.

Curtis from Resolven is the first student from NPTC Group of Colleges to win a highly coveted gold medal as he

triumphed in his discipline at the NEC in Birmingham. The prestigious competition saw more than 500 apprentices and students compete in over 70 disciplines to be crowned the best in the UK in a vocational pathway. Curtis achieved an overall score of 92.25% out of 100 to claim his gold medal, the first for NPTC Group of Colleges in any national competition.

Work-Based Learning Manager at Pathways Training, Alec Thomas, was delighted with Curtis’s achievement and said:

"Curtis’s enthusiasm for welding and for WorldSkills UK is infectious and he is already encouraging new apprentices to be involved. This can only be good for the industry and local businesses, and will help to support the development of new opportunities for young people in the area.”

Curtis has big plans for the future and he has big aspirations to run his own business within the field of structural welding, where he has spotted a gap in the market.

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses Level Entry Requirements Duration Location

Engineering (Mechanical/Welding) 2 4 GCSEs at grade A*-D including Maths and English.

Enhanced BTEC Engineering 3 5 GCSEs grades A*-C including English, Maths, 90 Credit Diploma Science and 2 of the following: Level 2 Extended Certificate in Engineering with overall MM, Merit in Mathematics for Engineering and GCSE Maths grade C/4 or above.

1 Year Newtown

2 Years Newtown

Sam Cottrell

Curtis Rees

Foundation STudiES

Our foundation programmes allow students to develop the key skills in independent living, health and wellbeing, community and employability through a person-centred approach.

The courses offered are full or part-time and the staff delivering have a wide range of vocational expertise as well as extensive experience in working with learners with additional learning needs. Each course includes a structured timetable, study support, chill out/quiet rooms, enrichment activities and an introduction to College life and Further Education. Students will follow a pathway which develops communication, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills and from this comes improved confidence and strengthened personal, social and emotional skills required for learning and life.

You do not need any formal qualifications; just a desire to participate in the learning activities we offer. It is possible to try lots of different subjects depending on your individual interests. This helps you to find out what you enjoy, what you are good at and help you with your future choices. You can work at your own level and speed, but extra help is available as part of the course and, through learning support and tutorials, we are able to cater for a wide range of needs. Our staff are qualified, experienced teachers with specialist skills to deliver the courses offered in a supportive and caring environment.

We hold employability and progression events with employers and support agencies. The school runs a number of enterprise and volunteering activities and encourages students to participate in a variety of competitions at both regional and national levels including Skills Competition Wales and ILS sports tournaments.

Our students create pop-up shops and mobile enterprises and we ensure that students make links with supported employment organisations.

Students undertake an initial educational and life skills needs assessment during the transition and induction process. Tutors then work with students to identify their long and short-term aims and suitable targets and routes for progression are then agreed and reviewed at regular intervals.

Our courses offer learners an introduction to College and opportunities to sample various vocational areas such as construction, horticulture and catering from which they can then make an informed decision on future progression routes.

Over 95% of students progressed to higher-level foundation studies courses, mainstream College courses, supported employment, or voluntary services.

www.nptcgroup.ac.uk

CoursES

Full-time Courses

Life Skills Pathways 1 & 2

Work Skills Pathways 2

Vocational Sampling and Vocational Preparation Pathways 3

Entry Requirements

No formal qualifications required

Gateway to Further Education

Gateway to Work Pathways 4

Gateway Level 1 in Health and Social Care

Location

Brecon/ Newtown

No formal qualifications required Brecon/ Newtown

No formal qualifications are required but a desire to participate in all learning activities must be demonstrated at interview. Brecon/ Newtown

No previous knowledge is required for these courses. Acceptance onto a course will be through the College's application and interview process. Learners need to be able to demonstrate an ability to work at least at Entry 3 prior to this course. Learners must have a positive work ethic and demonstrate an interest in skills development. The courses include practical trades, performing arts, catering, IT and sport.

This course is a one year full-time internship programme, supporting learners with additional learning needs to gain employment with work experience in real life internship placements. Learners will attend approximately two days in the workplace and one day in the classroom for formal teaching.

Brecon/ Newtown

Brecon/ Newtown

GCSEs at E/F grades or successful completion of Entry 3 qualifications. Newtown

Be INspirational... wITh a cAReer IN foundation STudiES

Horticulture is a diverse and dynamic industry that includes the commercial production of fruit, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants as well as the design, establishment and maintenance of parks, gardens, leisure and sports grounds, open spaces and managed landscapes.

Horticulture is a worldwide industry varying in scale from large multinational companies to small entrepreneurial organisations and companies. Local authorities, botanical gardens and The National Trust are also big employers. At home and abroad, British-trained horticulturists are always in high demand.

We offer a range of horticulture and gardening courses that provide you with the skills and training needed to succeed in a career in this sector. With our fantastic facilities including modern greenhouses and outdoor stock beds filled with an intriguing range of plants, you are sure to enjoy the real outdoor experience. Planted areas include a Mediterranean herb garden, a wildlife haven and elements of gardens recreated from our successful gold medal winning gardens at various shows around the country.

What will I do?

Lessons combine classwork and practical work, emphasising the wide range of skills needed for employment in the horticulture/gardening industry. You will also be expected to attend work experience placements, gaining valuable on the job experience.

Students are also given the opportunity to develop their enterprise skills through a number of sales activities throughout the year!

Career opportunities

Nursery work

Garden design

Plant production

Landscaping

Science

Tree surgeon

Retail garden centres

Plant propagation

Groundsmanship

Organics

Education

Self-employment.

New innovations – Lettuce Wall at Newtown College

Newtown College has gone all green-fingered as it introduces a new Horticulture course. This exciting new addition has brought with it a new collaboration with Cultivate, and a new initiative with the introduction of a lettuce wall to the Newtown College Foyer.

The eye-catching addition of the lettuce tower in the Newtown College foyer is part of the Crop Cycle project, a Farm Urban system to cultivate lettuce and other greens using a soilless system of vertical towers. This project is funded by the Welsh Government to introduce indoor growing CEA of food crops into communities. Whilst we

live in a rural environment, new ways of nurturing plants, using what is known as hydroponics, is revolutionary and is growing in popularity.

Local, sustainably grown food is absolutely key in tackling important issues surrounding our food system, climate change and biodiversity.

Richard Edwards Cultivate Crop Cycles project manager said: “They taste great, are highly nutritious and are super fresh. Visit our deli in Newtown to try them for yourself!”

Average annual earnings

Gardening and horticultural industry £30k - £60k 2,384 jobs in Wales by 2024 (Careers Wales)

HAirdressINg

Welcome to the Lee Stafford Academy of Hairdressing, Barbering and Applied Therapies, the first and only one of its kind in Wales.

Not just a celebrity endorsement, the training programme has been developed by Lee himself with specialists to train not only the students, but also our own experienced hair and barbering staff. You will learn specially designed ‘recipes’ which are unique to Lee Stafford Academies, reflecting some of the most cutting-edge styles seen in salons across the UK. These are training in specialist skills that you can’t get anywhere else.

You will receive training in up to 22 fundamental skills and techniques which you will learn to what Lee calls ‘Michelin standard’. Once accomplished in these techniques, you are then encouraged to use your creativity with no bounds.

These skills can be tested in national competitions with other Lee Stafford Academy students in FE Colleges across the UK during the academic year.

We’re aiming to make our hair and barbering students the most employable in the country, so if you're serious about hair, NPTC Group of Colleges is the place for you!

What will I do?

You will cover cutting, styling and setting skills, colouring, shampooing and conditioning, client consultation (including the recognition of diseases and disorders of the hair and scalp), basic salon health and safety, essential skills and retail. At Level 3 you will undertake advanced cutting, styling skills, bridal hair, colouring, advanced salon health and safety, client consultation, retail, IT and communication skills. As part of this programme, learners will be required to attend a work placement at an external organisation for at least one day per week or for a two-week block and a twilight/evening commercial session at the College.

Career opportunities

No other industry has such a constant worldwide demand for qualified, creative, well-trained individuals. The hair industry offers bright opportunities with careers in the fashion industry and working behind the scenes in film, theatre and TV.

It also offers the independence to start your own salon.

q Barbering

q Colour technicians q Salon owner q Senior stylist

q Wedding hairdresser

q Working on cruises.

NPTC Group of Colleges is the only Further Education College in Wales to be a member of the Lee Stafford Academy of Hairdressing, Barbering and Applied Therapies. The tutors receive training in unique hairdressing recipes through the Academy, and recently experienced their first training with the Academy since the pandemic at Brecon Beacons College.

The College staff took part in a week of training with Lee Stafford Education (LSE) ‘STAF’ (train-the-trainer), Tony Wood, whose expertise will help them stay up-to-date on the latest hair recipes for their lessons.

Juliana Thomas, the Head of School for Hairdressing and Applied Therapies, expressed: “After the Covid pandemic, we are delighted to have had the opportunity to undertake advanced Level 3 training with ‘STAF’, Tony Wood, from the Lee Stafford Academy of Hairdressing, Barbering and Applied Therapies. All our hairdressing lecturers and instructors are motivated, excited and inspired by the four days of intense practical work that was held at Brecon Beacons College.”

The Hairdressing and Applied Therapies school has more opportunities now restrictions have eased, with commercial services run by the students re-opening for business.

Our students put their learning to practical use by offering a range of hair and beauty treatments to the public. Appointments are available at Brecon Beacons College and Newtown College, and can be booked by phoning the College.

Speaking about the opportunity to open to the public again, student Tmai Bufton, said:

“It's great to have clients booking to come to the College for treatments after Covid. Serving the public means I can have more hands-on experience of what a salon environment is like.”

Tmai also mentioned the benefits of studying Beauty, including as a mature learner, commenting: “I study the course alongside my job in an elderly care home, which has been really supportive of my studies. Full-time courses can sound like a big commitment if you’re in work and have children, but are usually three days a week.”

“Long term I’d like to be self-employed in hair and beauty, specialising in treatments for the elderly.”

Lee Stafford Education ‘STAF’ pays Brecon Beacons College a visit

Tmai Bufton

AwARd-WINnINg LEe STaffORd returns TO AfAN College wITh his GolDEn ScissORs

Fresh from his most recent award success, Lee Stafford returned to his Academy of Hairdressing, Barbering & Applied Therapies at Afan College to present three lecturers with a very special award.

Hairdressing staff were awarded their Master Trainer Diploma, also known as the ‘Golden Scissors’, for hitting their ‘Big 10’ outcomes in all Level 2 and Level 3 recipes.

Lee explained: “The Golden Scissors are given only when they can replicate recipes as well as me. It’s no easy task. It nor mally takes two years; they have to video themselves doing every single recipe, then send it into our team. We assess it against the Lee Stafford Education video. Did they follow the steps that I did? Did they get the same results? And when they can do every recipe to a ‘Big 10’ standard, that’s our Michelin Star equivalent, they get the Golden Scissors."

This is on top of the Lee Stafford Education Foundation being named winner of the first-ever Education Expert category at the annual Most Wanted Awards, held at the spectacular Tate Modern, London.

Lee and his team won the prestigious Most Wanted trophy, a prize from category sponsor Colour Start, publicity across the Creative HEAD brand for the duration of their winning year and the opportunity to appear at Creative HEAD events.

The Education Expert trophy goes to an individual or team delivering exceptional education for the hairdressing industry. One of the most glamorous nights in the hairdressing calen dar, every year Most Wanted brings together industry icons, superstars, and tastemakers to celebrate the most exciting, progressive, and game-changing hair talents in the UK and Ireland.

The School of Health, Social and Childcare has courses designed to meet the needs of the community and prepare students for careers in this highly sought after industry. You will receive work-related training and some courses assess you in your workplace. This means that you will gain industry experience vital for progression onto higher education, as well as the recognised qualifications you need for a career in this industry.

Healthcare workers need strong communication skills and a caring nature. Nursery workers can be employed in day nurseries and children’s centres or become childminders.

Staff in the School of Health, Social and Childcare are industry experts as well as lecturers. Our supportive and caring lecturers are committed to ensuring students succeed.

Within the courses for Health, Social Care and Childcare the delivery of bilingual units will be available for students.

What will I do?

All students complete a related work-based placement, with a focus on employability skills and improving numeracy and literacy. Students are also encouraged to complete a Welsh language communication course and enhance their interpersonal skills through group activities and fundraising events. All students undertake charity and fundraising work throughout the year for local and national charities.

Career opportunities

Our courses can lead to a career as a teacher, teaching assistant, childcare practitioner, speech and language therapist, nurse, paramedic and social work. Many progress onto the Health, Social and Childcare degree programmes at the College before entering employment.

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

Level Entry Requirements

Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts 2 2 GCSEs at grade C or above including English/Maths and Science.

Duration Location

1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts 3 5 GCSEs at grade C including Maths and/or English Language - Science would be beneficial 2 Years Brecon/ Newtown

Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Principles and Context 2 2 GCSEs at grade C or above including, Maths or English Language.

Children’s Care, Play Learning and Development: Practice and Theory 3 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including, Maths or English Language.

Access to HE - Health Care 3

This course is for students who have been out of full-time education for a minimum of three years. Students will have to complete a successful interview.

1 Year Newtown

2 Years Brecon/ Newtown

1 Year Newtown

Be nurturINg... wITh a cAReer IN HEalth, social and childcARe

“College introduced me to a lot subjects that really interested me, boosted my confidence and helped with my team work.’’ Ffion Jones.

Student Success

My name is Harry Rush, and I am a former student of Brecon Beacons College. I studied Health and Social Care Levels 2 and 3 for nearly three years.

Unfortunately for me I did not pass my English and Maths GCSEs at school so I couldn’t go straight onto Level 3. I had to start at Level 2.

However, even if I passed them, I still would have started at Level 2 as it gave me the chance to learn the basics.

When I started Level 2, I had three tutors. They all had their own way of teaching which helped me find my best way of learning. I found out very quickly this was visual and practical. During my placement I went to a residential home for four days. The luckiest thing happened to me at the end of those four days: I was offered a job! That was in February 2020, and I am still there now.

I passed all my exams and completed Level 2 in August 2020 and started the Level 3 course in September that year.

This was very different to Level 2. It was a lot harder but very rewarding for my self-development. The whole of Level 3 year 1 was online due to the pandemic which I found very difficult, but I knew I had to do it to go where I wanted to. When I started Level 3 my mindset on what I wanted to do flipped. I realised I was a lot happier interacting with and looking after people, so I decided to pursue Adult Nursing with the aim of eventually becoming an Operating Theatre Nurse. To do this I knew I had to put everything into my studies to work towards my university application.

About a month before I was going back to do Level 3 year 2 an advert came in the post for an Open University Nursing course and Healthcare Support Worker job. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to apply.

I went through all these forms and checks, whilst I was still in my last year of college and working. One of my tutors helped me prepare by giving me a practice interview. I had a phone call three days after the interview and was told they were offering me a place.

None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for the Health and Social Care courses at the College, and my amazingly supportive tutors who I cannot thank enough. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them teaching me and making me thoroughly enjoy the subject. Most of all they helped me to believe in myself.

What this journey has taught me is no matter how many ups and downs you have in your life, if you want something strongly enough and believe in yourself you can achieve nearly everything you want in life. It has also taught me that opportunities can arise from anywhere and not to count them out until you have given it your all. There is no doubt in my mind that studying Health and Social Care is the best decision I’ve made in my life so far and I highly recommend the course to anyone who aspires to work in a healthcare setting.

Thank you all so much for what you have done for me!

Harry Rush

PerFORmINg ARts

The School of Creative, Visual and Performing Arts offers full-time courses in Art and Design, Media Production and Performing Arts based at Newtown College.

Classes are taught in a creative environment and using cutting-edge industry standard equipment within purposebuilt specialist facilities, including Hafren Theatre. Extensive one-to-one support is provided with applications for conservatoires and top dance and performing arts universities and we ensure that all our students are ‘audition ready’. Our students do progress and importantly they are really employable – we aim to help them be career ready!

What will I do?

Our courses provide exciting and challenging opportunities through specialist training in dance, drama, singing and musical theatre. You will be given the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of performance activities as part of the College's theatre, dance and music companies making use of our professional studios and fully equipped Hafren Theatre.

Career opportunities

q Actor q Arts administrator q Choreographer

q Dancer q Musical theatre performer q Pilates/Yoga instructor q Screenwriter q Teacher q Theatre director.

Average annual earnings

Art Director £23k - £59k Product Designer £19k - £46k Actor, Presenter, Entertainer £24k - £66k Although, according to Forbes magazine, George Clooney made $239 million in 2018 – Emsi

Student Success

Performing Arts student Joe Jones from Newtown College developed his musical talents over lockdown and has launched his very own album.

Joe was introduced to music at a young age by his father, who is also a musician. However, it wasn’t until his teens that he took more interest in playing. He began to enjoy music more, and with internet tips and tutorials, it gave him the freedom to become creative and develop his own style.

During lockdown, Joe found more time to be reflective both in his music and what was happening in the world around him. The album ‘We Were Just There’ was recorded at home using just his PC, digital audio workstation, guitar and piano.

Lecturer Elizabeth Hebden said: “We are all so impressed with Joe’s talents and proud of his dedication to exploring this medium, adding another string to his bow as an artist."

Why Nye gets all the Backstage Passes

Performing Arts student Nye Parton has been building up his experience as a stagehand whilst working along side his studies at Newtown College in the creative arts industry and production.

Nye, who is a second-year student, has been working with a stage crew to build the infrastructure for big events such as the Reading Festival as well as rigging, stag ing, music and lighting for high profile artists such as Elton John, Diana Ross, Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, George Ezra, Maddison Beer and many others.

Nye explained some of the tasks his crew were involved in with the set-up preparation to a show. The list includes loading and unloading staging, rigging, scenery and equipment and arranging a set, props and equipment between sets. They also have to transport sets safely to locations, helping departments set up sound, lighting, special effects, and props and hanging backing materials.

He went on to say: “It can involve heavy lifting, climbing ladders and working on high walkways. It's hard work but it’s been rewarding. Meeting artists and seeing the performances all come together. I’ve built up lots of useful knowledge and I’m known to never be without my gaffer tape. A lot is common sense when it comes to safety and a good ability to work in a team within a team.”

“I have secured a place on the Foundation Certificate course at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts LIPA. I feel that Newtown College has taught me how to channel my creativity. I’ve been surrounded by eager, creative and supportive individuals. Over these last two years I have had the BEST tutors who have been so dedicated and hardworking Without them, I wouldn’t be taking this next step in my life”. Josh Owen.

Nye Parton

PlumbINg and ELEctrical INSTallation

Building the future

A new suite of qualifications has been introduced across Wales that have been developed with employers to better meet the skills needs of the built environment sector in Wales.

There’ll be an increased focus on new and traditional techniques, on knowledge of the industry as a whole and on the generic skills needed to progress into work from education.

The Foundation Qualification for Building Engineering Services is a brand new qualification where you study two trade experiences:

q Plumbing and Domestic Heating

q Electro technical systems and equipment (Electrical Installation).

The Building Engineering Services industry has around three million workers in the UK, making it one of the country’s biggest employers. The industry requires a large number of newly trained operatives each year in order to keep up with demand. Jobs are available across all areas and with salaries rising at the moment, there has never been a better time to join this rewarding industry.

Training takes place in spacious and well-equipped workshops where students have the chance to develop new knowledge and skills which will equip them for a successful career in the construction industry.

What will I do?

Tuition is carried out by industrially experienced and qualified staff who focus on developing students' skills. Whilst you will initially study for both electrical and plumbing trades, you will later choose one pathway.

You will cover practical craft skills, job knowledge and advanced trade techniques in plumbing and electrical installation. You will also learn the interpretation of construction drawings and the calculation of materials and costings. Students are also encouraged to participate in skills competitions as a means of enhancing their practical ability and developing higher level skills.

Assessment

To achieve this qualification, students will complete a range of internally and externally set projects, guided discussions and multichoice tests.

‘‘The past year has been one of our best for high results in exams” Lecturer, James Seddon “The College has amazing staff, amazing people. I love it. It’s never too late to change career or learn something new.” Monika Dent

Progression

ProfESsional COOkery, CulINARy ARts, HospITalITy and reSTaurANt

Are you interested in working on board cruise ships, super yachts, international hotels or Michelin star restaurants? Or you may just want to set up your own hospitality business. These are just some of the opportunities offered to you in the hospitality industry.

The hospitality and culinary arts industry is one of the largest industries in the UK, with a wealth of job opportunities available at home and abroad. Career paths include chefs, food and drink service, hotel management, events management, restaurant management, bakers and patisserie chefs, contract catering, product development, and food manufacturing.

The College runs a busy training restaurant offering the highest level of service to the public: Themes. It provides table theatre, silver service and a roast of the day, carved at the table from our silver trolley. All our outlets serve a range of locally-sourced produce including beef and lamb reared on the College farm and vegetables and herbs cultivated by the horticulture department.

What will I do?

You will develop practical skills from working within the professional kitchens as well as opportunities for real life work experience at local functions and national events. You will learn from established and experienced staff who are qualified in all aspects of the hospitality and catering industry.

Career opportunities

If you’re looking for a ‘hands-on’ career with excellent employment opportunities with currently a high demand for jobs within the industry then hospitality is definitely a career for you.

We have strong links with local and international employers, and there are many opportunities for students to undertake part-time employment alongside their studies.

The College has a reputation for producing highly experienced and qualified students who repeatedly gain recognition at culinary competitions across the UK. Many students have gone on to positions all over the world as well as some holding senior positions in local establishments.

“I have found the facilities and dedication of the staff incredible” Harry Reeves.

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

Duration Location

C&G VRQ Diploma in Professional Cookery and Food Service 1 Subject to interview 1 Year Newtown

C&G NVQ Certificate in Bakery and Hospitality Skills 1 No formal qualifications 1 Year Newtown

C&G NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery 2 Level 1 qualification in relevant subject or relevant experience 1 Year Newtown

C&G VRQ Diploma in Professional Cookery and Food Service 2 Level 1 catering qualification or appropriate GCSE 1 Year Newtown

C&G NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Skills 2 Level 1 qualification in relevant subject or relevant experience 1 Year Newtown

C&G NVQ Advanced Professional Cookery 3 Level 2 qualification or relevant experience 1 Year Newtown

Average annual earnings (Prospects.ac.uk)

Commis Chef £12k - £16k

Sous Chef up to £30k

Head Chef £25k - £55k

Baker £14k - £23k (£37k in London)

Event Manager £33k - £40k+

Fine Dining Restaurant Manager £22k - £40k

Public

The Uniformed Public Services Sector is made up of many professions that protect and serve the population around the world. From rescuing climbers as part of the Mountain Rescue team, being deployed in the army as a medic or attending a crash site as a paramedic, police officer or fireman on the motorway, the professions are highly trained and ready for active service in many types of emergencies.

Many of the public services lecturers have been in active duty across the uniformed public services, using their expert knowledge and experience to engage students and make them aware of available opportunities.

The department runs educational visits across the country to highlight the breadth of possible careers available in uniformed public services, providing students with our ethos of ‘more than just an education’.

What will I do?

Study full-time at the various campuses, completing your main course including many interactive and practical assessments, plus engaging with the many activities on offer across the campuses.

Brecon Beacons College

Brecon Beacons College is situated in the heart of Brecon Beacons National Park, an incredible environment for students to engage in a wide range of public services activities alongside their Public Services course. Educational visits and trips are run to utilise the natural beauty of the area, from leadership sessions, team building and outdoor education tasks. Visits to local emergency services are arranged to strengthen the knowledge of the learners and develop much needed skills in readiness for their future careers.

At our Brecon Beacon College, some modules of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services can be taught through the medium of the Welsh language and students will be able to complete their assessments bilingually where possible.

Newtown College

At Newtown College, the students can study from the Level 1 combined course up to a Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course, which includes the Advanced Level in Welsh Baccalaureate. Students are engaged and stimulated with a range of teaching methods, and like in Brecon, can utilise the surrounding countryside for their many expeditions and local emergency services visits and experiences. Staff nurture their development and many students progress to HE courses or suitable UPS careers.

Joining Forces with Police & Crime Commissioner

Newtown College recently welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn. The Crime Commissioner joined colleagues from the Road Policing Unit and provided a question and answer session with the Sports and Public Services students. He then visited students from the Gateway to Further Education department and saw the work that they had recently been doing in conjunction with local Police Constable Jennings. They created a thought-provoking display to campaign against hate crimes. The group also worked with colleagues in the College’s Media department to create

a short film to raise awareness of issues relating to hate crime. The Commissioner spoke highly of their good work, reinforcing the messages and the value of the campaign. The Commissioner then visited The Hafren Theatre, which is based in Newtown College. He saw first-hand the use of the facilities which were occupied that day by the Welsh Blood Service, highlighting the versatile role the theatre space plays. Sara Clutton, Theatre Manager, also took the Commissioner on a tour of the venue showing him the stage area and a trip not for the faint-hearted to the top of the fly tower.

CoursES

Career-Focused

BTEC Combined Certificate in Sport and Uniformed Public Services

1 No formal qualifications 1 Year Newtown

BTEC Combined Sport and Public Services 2 An appropriate range of GCSEs at grades A*-E or a Level 1 qualification in Sport of Public Services. 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

BTEC Nationals Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services and WBQ 3 Subject specific GCSEs as requested and/or a Level 2 Qualification in Sport or Public Services. 2 Years Brecon/ Newtown

Some modules can be taught through the medium of Welsh and students will be able to complete assessments bilingually when possible.

Be courageous... wITh a cAReer IN The police FORce, fire service and ARmED FORcES

The sport, coaching and fitness industry is a fast-paced, dynamic and thriving area with an ever-increasing demand for qualified, motivated and professional staff.

The College has a long-standing reputation for sporting success, with many former students gaining international honours in a wide variety of sports including Duncan Jones, Adam Beard, Daniel James and Chelsea Lewis.

We are proud of our excellent results, on and off the sports field, and the high-quality teaching that fuels our success. Coupled with excellent pastoral care, the College’s sports department epitomises our strapline ‘more than just an education’.

Many of the sports staff have experience in playing and coaching top-level sports which is invaluable in developing students’ sporting abilities.

What will I do?

You can develop a wide variety of personal and vocational skills that will ensure you are able to progress towards pathways in either employment or a suitable university course.

Brecon Beacons College

The Sports Academy at Brecon Beacons College uses the facilities of Brecon Leisure Centre which include an athletics track, astroturf pitch, sports hall, tennis and netball courts and a swimming pool. On-site, the Sports Academy has its own training pitch and strength and conditioning centre, which has benefitted the development of many athletes over the years, like Dan Lydiate.

The surrounding countryside of the Brecon Beacons also boasts many outdoor adventure activities such as mountain walking, canoeing and mountain biking; all students can collectively engage in various activities either as part of their course, through the enrichment programme or the newly

established Duke of Edinburgh Award qualification.

Lecturers are community coaches and athletes, including Rhain Davies, hockey player for Welsh Masters, and professional rugby player, Chay Billen

Some modules of the Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and WBQ can be taught through the medium of the Welsh language and students will be able to complete their assessments bilingually where possible.

Newtown College

The Newtown College Football Academy train and play home matches at the new 3G pitch at Latham Park. We also use the facilities at Maldwyn Leisure Centre which include the sports hall, astroturf pitch, fitness studio and fitness suite.

q You will benefit from staff dedicated to the sporting profession. Gareth Watkins is an active football coach within the community and Andrew Davies is a current GB athlete for Wales.

q Our partnerships with local business and sports clubs provide opportunities that match your course to future careers, whether local or further afield.

Career opportunities

The wide range of courses we offer could lead to many careers including a sports coach, PE teacher, disability sports officer, sports therapist, sports analyst, sports nutritionist, gym instructor or sports development officer.

Academic progression includes higher education at the College or another institution. Some elite sportspeople can gain scholarships to study abroad. e.g. golf in America.

Student Success

Sport students Laura Shinton and Jennifer Jarvie received the highest grade that can be achieved: a triple D* in BTEC Level 3 Sport, Coaching and Development. The result is equivalent to 3 A * qualifications and means they have a total of 168 UCAS points.

CoursES

Career-Focused Courses

Laura, a devoted swimmer who has ranked top ten for the 50-metre in breaststroke at the nationals and top 15 in the 100-metre breaststroke in Wales, said: “I’m so really pleased with my results which means I can go on to Solent University Southampton to study Health."

Level Entry Requirements

Duration Location

BTEC Combined Certificate in Sport and Uniformed Public Services 1 No formal qualifications. 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

BTEC Combined Sport and Public Services 2 An appropriate range of GCSEs at grade A*-E. Level 1 qualification in Sport or Public Services. 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

BTEC in Instruction Exercise in the Gym Environment 2 3 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above to include English or Maths. 1 Year Newtown

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development with WBQ 3 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above to include English or Maths. 2 Years Brecon/ Newtown

Average annual earnings

Strength and Conditioning Coach

£17k - £45k

Secondary School PE Teacher £25k+

Sport Development £18-£23k

Sport Coaching £15-25k

Sport Science £20k - £30k

If you work in high-profile sport science, your salary can exceed £60,000 and may reach up to £100,000* 5x30 Officer £20k

Physiotherapist £24-£43k

Sport Analyst £24-£43k

Student Success

Courtney Ashworth achieved Triple Distinction Stars (D*D*D*) and is going to study Sports Injuries Rehabilitation at Glyndŵr University.

Owen Brunt accomplished Triple Distinction Stars (D*D*D*). Owen said: ‘I worked really hard for the grades I came out with and am pleased with my place at Cardiff Met to do Sports Performance Analysis’.

Elis Tudor achieved a Triple Distinction Star (D*D*D*). Elis has received a scholarship as a result of her grades and is going to Aberystwyth University to study Primary Education leading to QTS.

Iwan Evans is leaving the Welsh team to join the Netherlands cycling team.

Prys Eckley and Conor Drain are receiving grants.

Iwan Evans and Caine Ballentine Price are completing WBQ at Ysgol Y Bannau.

Jack Jones is finishing off with Distinctions in most units but also achieving two silver medals at the recent Welsh Karate Championships. One is in individual youth kumite and the other is in the men’s kumite team.

He also competed for Wales this year in Serbia. Jack is an outstanding sports ambassador to the College, having received a scholarship in his first year for his excellence and has gone on to lead activities in the sport and public service industry. He is a true role model within the community!

Well done to NPTC Group of Colleges' cross country team, Finley Hines, Sam Lennox, Tom Callard, James Fishlock (pictured) and Evan Price-Davies for winning the Welsh Inter Schools Team event at Brecon.

At the Red Kite Challenge at Devils Bridge, Evan Price-Davies finished in fourth place after being 10 seconds In the lead and still managed to grab an under 20 Gold in the Welsh Championships. Well done.

“If you want to break away and do something different, College is great. I left school and came to do sport here at Newtown College and it’s been fabulous. The support I’ve had from the lecturers has been invaluable, like Andy Davies who’s a GB athlete and Gareth who also coaches. They have given me loads of guidance on becoming a coach”. Jennifer Jarvie.

College Life Create Your Own ExperiEnce

Student Support

Every student at NPTC Group of Colleges is important to us and we go the extra mile to ensure that the time you spend at College supports your individual needs.

We offer a range of support services that include:

q Admissions

q Careers

q Equality and diversity

q Student finance

q Professional counselling and wellbeing

q Safeguarding

q Specialist support for looked after children

q Study support for students with additional learning needs and/or disabilities.

If you feel you may benefit from additional support when you come to College, please tell us about this on your application form.

For more information, please email our Student Support team on: studentsupport@nptcgroup.ac.uk

College Fees, Costs and Funding

Tuition costs

The College does not charge tuition fees for full-time courses but all students are required to pay a nonrefundable administration fee upon enrolment.

Additional costs

There may be additional course costs for specialist equipment, clothing and travel. Students who attend structured work experience as part of their course may need a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Those who do will be expected to cover this cost.

Financial help

There are a range of options available to make student life a little easier on your pocket. These include:

q Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

q Welsh Government Learning Grant

q Financial Contingency Fund.

For more information, please email: studentsupport@nptcgroup.ac.uk

NPTC Group of CollegES’

STuDEnts’ Union

The Students' Union is run by the students, for the students. Their role is to make sure that student voices are heard at senior management level, listening to students from across the Colleges, holding events and campaigns all year round, helping you meet new people, and creating an inclusive and friendly student community. For more information, contact student-union@nptcgroup.ac.uk.

TOTUM, the UK’s number one student discount card. All students over 16 and studying more than 10 hours per week can buy a TOTUM card. Download the TOTUM app today for free and then to unlock a full year’s worth of discounts for £12. TOTUM gives you all year round deals like 10% off ASOS, 12% off 16-25 railcards, loads of Apple discounts, food and drink discounts, and 2 for 1 on your first two driving lessons with RED Driving School. Download the app today and see what you think! www.totum.com

SerIOus About Sport

you’re serious about sport, as part of the Sports Academy you will benefit from:

a structured training programme that is overseen by experienced coaches; personal performance monitored regularly by our team

training sessions and lectures are planned to avoid unnecessary clashes

the chance to compete in the successful NPTC Group of Colleges’ sporting teams

part of national coaching schemes for your chosen sport.

you compete regularly in a sport for club, county or national teams and are interested in joining our Sport Academies, check out:

Daniel Jervis

From NPTC Group of Colleges to the Olympic Games

NPTC Group of Colleges alumnus Daniel Jervis reached an Olympic final at his maiden Games in Tokyo. The 25-year-old swimmer from Resolven finished 5th in the final of the 1500-meter freestyle at this summer’s delayed games in Japan.

Jervis, who left NPTC Group of Colleges in 2014 after completing a Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating, took up swimming to keep his grandfather company after he suffered a heart attack. Daniel joined him in the pool and hasn’t looked back since.

Jervis is no stranger to competing at the highest level of swimming. He competed at his first Commonwealth Games in 2014 within a week of graduating from NPTC Group of Colleges.

Daniel finished 3rd in the 1500-meter freestyle at the Glasgow Games in 2014. He then went one better at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia winning a silver medal again in the 1500-meter freestyle. At the same games, he narrowly missed out on a second medal, finishing a close 4th in the 400-meter freestyle. Daniel also has experience of competing at World and European Championships on several occasions since leaving college.

After only just missing out on competing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Daniel finally got the chance to make his dream of competing at the Olympics a reality this summer.

Jervis when interviewed by the BBC after his final said: “Yes, I’m part of Team GB and I’m British but I’m a Welshman. I’m very proud to represent Wales in there,” referring to the pool behind him.

He then went on to say that he had hoped to break the British record in the final of the 1500-meter, but it wasn’t to be on the night. Jervis added that he aims to break the British record that is currently held by fellow Welshman David Davies.

Dan Lydiate

Ospreys,

Wales, British & Irish Lions

Sports Alumni Dan Lydiate is a former Coleg Powys BTEC Level 3 Sport & Exercise Science student. A local farmer’s son from Abbey Cwm Hir, Llandrindod Wells, he went on to study a Foundation Degree in Strength & Conditioning at Brecon Beacons College.

A talented flanker, he then moved on to a professional rugby career signing up for the Newport Dragons where, in his first year, he was capped with Wales Under 20s.

Dan was named in the Wales National squad for the November 2009 international series.

He made his first test match start as flanker on 28 November 2009, after which he was named in the Wales squad for the 2010 Six Nations Championship.

He played every match of Wales’ 2011 Six Nations Championship campaign as well as all four warm-up matches. In August 2011, he was named in the Wales squad for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He also later made up the squad of the 2015 World Cup in England.

He played in Wales’ opening two games against South Africa and Samoa, as well as playing a key role in Wales’ quarter-final win over Ireland.

In the 2012 Six Nations Championship, he received the Player of the Tournament award after featuring in every game bar the opener against Ireland and receiving Man of the Match awards. It was in this very year that he was also nominated for the Welsh Sports Personality of the Year award.

In April 2013, he was named in the squad for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

He left Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the 2012/13 season to join the club Racing Métro 92 before becoming an Osprey in 2014, whose training ground is, in fact, the Colleges’ Llandarcy Academy of Sport,

Talking about his time at the College, Dan said: “Without the College’s strength and conditioning programme, I would not have been able to achieve these levels. It was the difference, and is as good as any system in professional rugby.’’

Daniel Jervis Dan Lydiate

www.nptcgroup.ac.uk

The Enterprise and Employability team provides professional support for students who are setting up their own business, including assistance with:

b Business support and guidance

b Access to specialist training workshops.

Welsh at The College

Welsh language and culture is an important part of the ethos of NPTC Group of Colleges. The College is aware of how being bilingual can benefit you in education, the workplace and in everyday life. Provision is expanding across many of our subject areas, giving you the opportunity and choice to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually in the classroom or on your work placement.

We are here to support you should you wish to have a Welsh speaking personal tutor, study in Welsh, complete your assignments in Welsh, sit your exams in Welsh or receive your course materials and resources in Welsh whilst studying with us at the College... the choice is yours. We will also encourage you as a non-Welsh speaker or Welsh learner to develop your Welsh language skills, giving you better employment opportunities in the future.

If you don’t wish to study through the medium of Welsh but want to maintain your Welsh language skills, don’t worry; we have lots of fun activities throughout the year that will give you the opportunity to use your Welsh whatever your language level... Don’t be shy – siarad Cymraeg!

This symbol on course pages indicates that some courses, modules or aspects of courses can be undertaken through the medium of Welsh.

For more information, contact: cymraeg@nptcgroup.ac.uk

Career Ready at Centerprise is an employability programme supporting students with:

b Finding a part-time job

b CV writing

b Application forms

b Interviews

b Work Experience.

For further details please contact us on: centerprise@nptcgroup.ac.uk

We want to give all those aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to realise their business dreams.

Group of Colleges is pleased to have developed a number of wide-ranging degree programmes in partnership with a range of prestigious higher education institutions. All our higher education courses have been designed with your employment and future careers in mind and we strive to give our graduates the best experience and knowledge to equip them for the working world. We are very proud of the quality of our courses and the staff who teach them. We have some of the leading specialists in their field, who have chosen to work at NPTC Group of Colleges for the benefit of our students - so take advantage of this opportunity! We have courses that cover many subjects, some of which are full-time and some part-time. For more detailed information on our courses,