Cited a terrific show with good old northern humour and plenty of pathos, Joe will perform alongside his exceptional team of artists at Theatr Iâl from Tuesday May 28th to Friday June 1st at 7pm, so if you would like to reserve tickets, please contact Yale’s box office on 01978 355704 EXT: 2701

Yale College BTEC ED Performing Arts Year 2 Performing Arts students are celebrating unprecedented successes as a record number of students have successfully gained places at some of the country’s top drama and dance schools.

A chance to gain a glimpse of all the budding talent of Yale College learners who have been auditioning for high profile institutions will come as the show opens. BTEC ED Performing Arts Year 2 Performing Arts students are conducting final rehearsals for ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’, musical biopic of pools winner Viv Nicholson who, with her husband Keith, won a fortune back in 1961 then spent the lot.

Get ready to look out for Yale’s role of honour including Stuart Bold from Acton, Wrexham who may take up an offer at the East 15 Acting School whilst still waiting on recall auditions for Manchester Metropolitan and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

“We are absolutely delighted for Joe and all our students, competition increases every year and the chance of gaining places is incredibly slim, so for so many students to have won places shows the depth of talent at Yale College and within the local community as a whole,” says Frazer Ormonroyd, Lecturer in Dance and Musical Theatre at Yale College, “I am really looking forward to some spectacular work from them in their end of year production.”

Still more performing success stories include Elena Valentine of Landegla, going to study film acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Michael Jones, 18, from Higher Kinnerton will continue his studies in musical theatre with a full scholarship at the Stella Mann College. Alex Hunt from Connah’s Quay has successfully auditioned for The Hammond School in Chester. Phillipa Lewis of Borras, Wrexham will shortly audition for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama having already been recalled by Manchester Metropolitan and Rose Bruford. Emily Baker of Borras has successfully auditioned for the Phil Winston academy in Blackpool and has still more interviews coming up in her diary.

There is also much aspiration to study performing arts at university, subject to gaining appropriate grades. Hannah Ward-Jones of Acton and Rebecca Dwerryhouse of Mold hope to study dance performance and musical theatre respectively at Cumbria.

Kate, 20 from Rhos and Chris, 54 from Bronington, Near Whitchurch, Shropshire, are both successful AAT Level 2 learners at Yale College, keen to encourage anyone with an aspiration to improve themselves while they work or improve their job opportunities– to take action this week.

Yale College are launching their new part-time brochure and offering “Taster Sessions” for AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), an excellent foundation for accountants and business practitioners alike at their Grove Park campus on Wednesday 23rd May at 1 pm.

“I enjoy the pace and delivery of the course,” says Chris, who anticipates the course will enrich his own horticulture business and provide him with a well-recognised qualification.

“Flexibility and support from tutors is fantastic,” says Kate, Accounts Assistant for a well-known Wrexham accountant who supports her studies. “I would recommend the course to anyone who wants a career, not only in accountancy, but also in finance.”

The free taster, which should last just over an hour, will give the opportunity for prospective learners to meet tutor, Vanessa O’Keefe and other AAT tutors, and ask any questions they may have. Course advice available on all courses all week on 0978 311794, to book taster session contact Katie Wood .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone 01978 317321.

The taster session will give an overview of the AAT course; the units involved and the assessment methods used and comprise a small ‘lesson’ on Introduction to accounting and double-entry book-keeping. Prospective learners will get the chance to have a go at the type of work that would be encountered on the level two course and give them a clearer picture on what accounting actually involves.

At 9.30am Fiona’s beautiful long hair was cut off and she received a complete restyle by Jemma Pritchard, Level 3 hairdressing learner at Yale’s highly acclaimed Salon Iâl. Recently refurbished on their Grove Park campus the salon is quickly building up an excellent reputation.

“Her hair was really long and we felt privileged to be part of her important decision to cut it off to donate it to The Little Princess Trust,” said Emmalee Bevan, hairdressing lecturer at Yale College.

Bersham Barbers on their Engineering and Construction campus is also becoming well known for its “drop-in” facilities – popular for a smart brush up and open to the public.

Bryn Kelly and Aarron Jones, who manage the highly regarded store in Llangollen, are working closely with Yale College whose students’ business provides produce for their shop. The rigorous sampling process means the store are impressed with the excellent standards maintained by Love Fine Food as well as the innovative presentation offered by the budding specialists, keen to lower food miles.

“We are delighted with the success of Lovefinefood” says Mark Parsons, Hospitality and Catering Manager at Yale College, “run by learners at all levels, the business means they can fulfill their curriculum criterion for communication and working with others.”

http://www.lovefinefood.com/ offers a supply service of pre-prepared food including meats, fish and vegetarian options to local businesses and the general public. The provision enables speedy delivery of high quality serving and eating of locally sourced products and demand is growing in the region.

The new team has been appointed to lead NTfW, an organisation that represents a network of 108 quality assured work based training providers with links to 35,000 employers across Wales. The National Training Federation Wales’ annual meeting in Builth Wells saw Arwyn Watkins, managing director of Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company; stand down as chairman after six years in the hot seat.

Arwyn moves to a newly created part-time post of chief executive officer responsible for building relationships with external stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, for the benefit of work based learners in Wales. Mr Watkins, a NTfW board member since its inception 10 years ago, has led the federation through a period of enormous change in work based training and has gained great respect for the network at the Welsh Government.

“The NTfW is the right vehicle to champion skills and apprenticeships and my new role will be focused on building on the solid foundations that have been set,” he said. “I am delighted that we have been able to achieve continuity with the vice chairman stepping up to the chair and the ratification of new constitution is healthy in that it secures succession planning and makes us a much more inclusive membership organisation.”

Wynne Roberts paid tribute to the leadership of Mr Watkins and said the federation was delighted to retain his experience and expertise in a new role.

“Arwyn’s tenure as chairman has been very positive for the NTfW and he has established a platform where the federation is now able to influence policy decisions at the Welsh Government,” said Wynne. “I consider it a great honour to be asked to represent the membership across Wales. The NTfW has been in existence for 10 years and it has been an extremely challenging time, during which we have seen significant improvements in the performance and achievement rates of work based learning providers, learners and apprentices.”

“With that in mind, the challenge is to move forward and grow the NTfW, further improving standards and ensuring that we continue to make a positive contribution to the Welsh economy by supporting companies.

Whilst recognising that we are operating in a climate where public funding is under extra pressure, we must continue to influence the Welsh Government to develop the skills of young people to match the needs of employers.

We are endeavouring to support young people in the transition from school to work by giving them the skill sets that will allow them to survive and thrive within an extremely competitive environment for jobs.”

Fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Roberts, who lives in Old Colwyn, is married to family learning co-ordinator Olivia and they have two grown up children. Starting his career as an engineering apprentice in a ship repair yard in Holyhead, he gained experience as a factory production manager and training manager before becoming work based learning manager at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru for nine years. He secured his current position at Yale College six years.

As a familiar face at high end spas like Ragdale Hall and Hoarcross Hall, where she provided training for spa therapists in advanced treatments like poultice massages and skin care tips, her experience will certainly boost the salon and the range of client treatments.

Manager for 5 years of the Kalmora Spa in Chester, a family run business which produce the Spa Find products, Sarah hopes to inspire students with the latest techniques.

“I’m looking forward to making it my own” said Sarah who is already giving her students tips in advanced client care. “The public can enjoy a full range of spa treatments at Salon Iâl and will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of our newly opened salons. I am thrilled to be training Wrexham’s future hairdressers and beauticians.”

The Salon which was recently opened by international hairdresser Patrick Cameron is going from strength to strength, recently becoming a partner college of worldwide brand Wella for hairdressing and more recently linking up with Creative Nail Design (CND) to offer the latest in Nail technology.

And the new partnerships are of direct benefit to students and clients. Hairdressing lecturer Emmalee Bevan is thrilled to be getting creative with colours after training from Wella to provide colour theory to students “The students can now mix their own colours and offer more for our clients”.

Photo shows left to right: Level 2 Beauty students Theodora Roberts, new salon manager Sarah Edwards, Jodie Wood, and Kirsty Douglas sitting in the new pedi station at Salon Iâl.

Samantha and her sister Lauren Raybould, an ex BTEC Fashion student, went to work backstage at New York Fashion Week creating beautiful nail designs and to assist with dressing the models. Sponsored by top nail ranges CND and ZOYA both were armed with an array of the latest nail polishes, files and buffers to ensure the models nails were manicured to perfection.

“I love the creative side of nails and make-up artistry” said Samantha who has been teaching for five years and got to go when she realised she was on holiday in New York during the time of the fashion week and offered her services to the organisers. This follows from her experience of doing nails at London Fashion Week last year.

Samantha has shared this sector leading experience with Yale learners to widen their scope of the nail industry, passing on the latest trends from fashion designers like Zangtoi. “Nail art is getting even bigger” said Samantha “and an increasing number of designers are looking for custom colours”.

“Yale College has some very talented future nail technicians on the programme” said Julie Guzzo, Assistant Director for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. “By training with the top brands and the latest equipment, our students are more employable.”

What is more, Salon Iâl has a new partnership with industry leaders Creative Nail Design (CND), who look after the nail design for Dancing on Ice.

Yale is the first college in Wales to become a CND partner college giving students access to the best nail products on the market and training in the latest techniques from their tutors who will be trained by CND to advanced master level. It is also good news for the salons clients who will have access to products like Shellac hybrid polish which the students are all being trained to use.

Photo shows left to right: Samantha Raybould with up and coming designer Jeremy Laing and her sister Lauren.

At the finals Jack conducted a series of motor vehicle engineering assessments under a stringent marking system set to test his knowledge and practical abilities, including engine, chassis, driveline and electrical units and component replacements as well as health and safety, correct use of tools, equipment and vehicle care.

Motor fanatic Jack, began his training at Yale College on a “Pathways to Apprenticeship” programme before being employed by local company, D & G Auto Services in Rhosrobin, Wrexham. Promising automotive specialist, Jack is now studying Level 2 Apprenticeship through Yale Training which is part of the North and Mid Wales Skills Consortium. Jack secured his place in the final as runner up in the North & Mid Wales regional final held early in March at Deeside College.

“It was an enjoyable yet nerve racking challenge that has helped me gain more valuable experience in the motor industry, to come third in Wales is just overwhelming,” says Jack.

Skills Competition Wales aims to find their most talented trainees in areas including motor vehicle, automotive engineering, aerospace, construction skills, catering, accountancy, media, and information technology. It brings together colleges, sector skills councils and training providers who run competitions across Wales and backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales, promotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce.

Natalie Hughes, 18, from Queens Park in Wrexham is in her first year of a painting and decorating course and beat off competition from 10 other youngsters from across Wales to be crowned winner of the Skills Competition Wales painting and decorating competition held at Coleg Sir Gâr in Carmarthenshire.

Despite only being in the first year of her course, Natalie entered the intermediate level of the competition and was up against students that have been learning the trade for two years.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales promotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce.

Having already got through the north Wales heat of the competition, Natalie has already received an offer of an apprenticeship from a local painting and decorating company. In the finals she impressed the judges with her technical ability showcasing skills including wallpapering, rag rolling, cutting in and glossing.

Speaking of her success, Natalie said: “When I left school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and enrolled on a health and social care course but it wasn’t for me. I was helping a friend paint her bedroom one day and found I really enjoyed it so looked into the course at Yale College.

“General painting is my favourite aspect of the course and I’ve already been roped in to decorating at home and have just finished our hall, stairs and landing! I want to concentrate on gaining more experience through an apprenticeship over the next two years as hopefully it will lead to employment but one day I’d really like to have my own business.”

Skills Competition Wales aims to find Wales’ most talented trainees across a wide range of skills, including fields such as electrical installation, automotive engineering, aerospace, construction skills, catering, accountancy, media and information technology. It involves colleges, Sector Skills Councils and training providers holding competitions across Wales.

Skills Competition Wales offers learners the chance to test, benchmark and raise their skills levels and provides valuable competition experience for those who enter and progress onto WorldSkills UK competitions. For employers, competitions not only help drive up the quality in apprenticeships and vocational education, but also motivate employees to achieve success.

The Welsh Government is encouraging businesses and skills providers in Wales to get involved, promote and support Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills competitions.

Jeff Cuthbert, Deputy Minister for Skills, said: “I congratulate Natalie on her success. These competitions provide an excellent opportunity to stretch the abilities of up and coming skilled workers from many important sectors of the economy and encourage them to benchmark their skill against others in Wales and UK or international competitors.

“It is vital that our workforce has the very highest skills and that we continue to strive for excellence across all sectors to ensure Wales can compete on the international stage.”

Jemma Realey, 19, from Llangollen, in the second year of her hairdressing course at Yale College has battled it out against other students from across Wales to be crowned winner of the Skills Competition Wales hairdressing competition held at Coleg Powys in Brecon.

With ambitious plans to one day open her own hairdressing salon in her home town of Llangollen, Jemma has been preparing for a career in the industry since she was a child by practising on her friends and family.

Jemma impressed the judges with her creativity and hairdressing flair under competition pressure against her fellow competitors. The tasks for the competition included all over colour, a short graduation cut and a hair up task for which Jemma chose a glamorous ballroom look.

Speaking of her success, Jemma said: “I’ve wanted to become a hairdresser for as long as I can remember. Hopefully winning this competition will help me stand out from the crowd when I come to apply for jobs next year. One day I would love to have my own salon.”

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales promotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce.