Coleg Cambria has joined education providers, employers and training organisations across the UK in celebrating the achievements of learners and apprentices as part of the first ever Vocational Celebration Day.

The college marked the national awareness day on Thursday 6 August by highlighting another successful year for its students, apprentices, staff and employer partners.

Supported by Enginuity, the UK-wide campaign aims to challenge outdated perceptions of technical education and celebrate the important role vocational pathways, apprenticeships, specialist qualifications and employer-led training play in communities, businesses and the wider economy.

The celebration comes after another record-breaking year for Coleg Cambria, with learners achieving 68 honours at Skills Competition Wales, including 19 medals.

Among those celebrating success is Tomas Ankers, who is preparing to represent the college at this autumn’s WorldSkills Shanghai finals after qualifying in CNC Milling.

Coleg Cambria’s business training arm, Cambria for Business, has also received national recognition through professional institute awards, including the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) and IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) Learner of the Year Awards.

Lauren Travis, an engineer with Village Bakery, was among those recognised for her achievements.

Nick Tyson, Vice Principal and Director of Business and Partnerships at Coleg Cambria, said the celebration highlighted the impact vocational education can have.

“Vocational Celebration Day recognises something we see every day at the college - that technical education provides opportunities, transforms lives, strengthens businesses and helps drive the economy,” he said.

“It is a chance to celebrate not only the achievements of our learners and apprentices, but also the employers who invest in developing future talent alongside us.”

He said partnerships with businesses across sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, healthcare, leadership and management help learners develop the skills and confidence employers need.

“The success we’ve seen this year - from MAKE UK national award winners, to our record-breaking performance at Skills Competition Wales to learners preparing for the WorldSkills UK finals - demonstrates the outstanding talent we have across North Wales,” he added.

Across its campuses in Deeside, Yale, Bersham Road, Northop and Llysfasi, Coleg Cambria works with hundreds of employers to deliver industry-focused education, apprenticeships and professional training.

The college’s partnerships with major organisations including Airbus, TATA Steel, Kronospan, Kingspan, Village Bakery, Kellanova, Shotton Mill, Toyota, JCB and Convatec continue to support the development of future skills across the region.

A new leadership and management programme with Siemens Healthineers in Llanberis is the latest example of the college working with employers to help develop the skilled workforce needed by the regional economy.

The celebrations also highlighted the work taking place at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road campus in Wrexham, which is home to many of the college’s technical and vocational programmes.

The campus delivers Wales’ first fully funded Construction Degree Apprenticeships, in partnership with Wrexham University, allowing learners to earn while they learn while progressing into careers including civil engineering, construction management, building surveying and quantity surveying.

Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road, said vocational education was about preparing learners for real-world careers.

“Every day we see learners develop the confidence, technical expertise and professionalism that employers are looking for, so it is fantastic to have a national celebration recognising those achievements,” he said.

“Vocational education is about much more than gaining a qualification. It is about developing real-world skills, solving practical challenges and preparing for rewarding careers in industries that are vital to our economy.”

Coleg Cambria says its close work with employers and industry partners will continue to shape courses that respond to regional and national skills needs, ensuring learners leave with the skills required to make an immediate impact in the workplace.