May 12, 2026 - 151 views
North Wales is set to train more homegrown professionals than ever before, as Coleg Cambria and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) formalise a landmark partnership to transform how the region recruits, trains and retains its healthcare workforce.
Building on years of successful collaboration, the agreement sets out a shared vision to expand education, training and employment pathways, helping to meet rising demand for skilled professionals while creating clear, accessible career opportunities for learners.
Vicky Edwards, Vice Principal of Technical Studies at Coleg Cambria, said: “Over many years, we've built a strong and impactful partnership with BCUHB, and this agreement allows us to bring all of that excellent work together under one clear strategic framework.
“By combining our expertise, we can create even more opportunities for learners - ensuring they gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to step straight into vital roles within the health service.
“This is about shaping the future workforce for North Wales, supporting our communities, and ensuring the next generation of healthcare professionals are ready to meet the challenges ahead.”
Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, added: “We are delighted to have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with our valued partner Coleg Cambria. This partnership will support the development of our staff and students alike, enabling the exchange of knowledge, skills, and expertise that are essential to meeting the evolving needs of our communities.
“Importantly, this agreement reinforces our collective ambition to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care while building a skilled workforce and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. As an anchor organisation in North Wales we look forward to building on this collaboration in the years ahead and the positive impact it will bring for patients, staff, and the wider community.”
At the heart of the partnership is a proven model of success. The Nurse Cadets programme, launched five years ago, has become a flagship initiative combining classroom learning with hands-on experience in clinical settings such as Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
The programme has evolved year-on-year with input from both organisations, producing confident, employment-ready learners who are already adding value within healthcare teams.
This approach is now being extended into new areas, including specialist disciplines such as orthopaedics, alongside opportunities in estates, administration and support services, opening up a wide range of career pathways beyond traditional clinical roles.
The MoU brings together existing pockets of collaboration across the college into one strategic framework, enabling both organisations to do more, reach further and respond faster to workforce needs.
It will also help reduce recruitment pressures, improve retention and support ongoing training challenges within the health sector.
A strong focus of the partnership is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for North Wales communities. This includes developing bilingual skills, with Coleg Cambria already delivering Welsh language training to nurses to ensure future staff can meet local linguistic and cultural needs.
Students also benefit from industry-standard training environments, including the college's £14 million Nant building at its Yale campus in Wrexham, which features simulated hospital wards and immersive virtual reality learning, equipping learners with real-world experience in a safe, innovative setting.
The strengthened partnership will be driven by a joint strategic steering group, creating new opportunities, strengthening communication and ensuring innovative ideas continue to develop - benefiting learners, the health service and communities across the region.
For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk.
