welsh government

Students at Gower College Swansea are getting ready for the annual Global Enterprise Week.

The event will kick off with a seminar on how to “Start Your Business From Scratch.” A local business guru will visit Tycoch and Gorseinon to talk to students about their business ideas and give advice on how to transform their concepts into reality.

Throughout the week, a range of entrepreneurial role models will meet with students and give advice and tips based on their own business journeys.

“We have a packed itinerary this year,” says Enterprise Education Manager Sue Poole. “We’ll get involved in the ‘Money for Life’ challenge - which could result in students winning money for themselves and for a charity of their choice - and relaunch the Young Chamber of Commerce with a special VIP reception. At Gorseinon, a Creative Media event will see role model entrepreneurs and creative media students undertaking a speed dating style Q&A session.”

Among the entrepreneurs expected to take part are:

• Ed Pereira - Pear Publishing
• Nathan Dicks - Learnwise
• Sue Powell Reed – Vibe TV
• Mike Scott – Delve Media
• Andrew Davies – Artist and Photographer
• Anthony Smith - Tornado Films
• Andy Penaluna – Professor of Entrepreneurship at Swansea Metropolitan University

At the launch of the Enterprise Centre at Gorseinon, representatives from Admiral Insurance will attend while a number of Young Enterprise companies pitch their products and marketing strategies.

The week will end with a fund-raising bonanza for Children in Need, with fancy dress and fun events taking place across all campuses.

“The main aim of the week is to bring out the entrepreneur within each student, to give them confidence to develop their ideas and to introduce them to leading players on the local business scene,” adds Sue.

The Global Enterprise Challenge is a Welsh Government endorsed scheme designed to encourage entrepreneurial spirit and vision among young people.

Related links:

Money for Life Challenge

Big Ideas Wales

Gower College Swansea is looking forward to joining in the festivities during Libraries Fortnight 2011.

The initiative, which runs from 1- 14 November, is funded by the Welsh Government. This year, the theme linking all events is the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme, which inspires creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.

To help students get into the spirit of things, the college will run a competition focusing on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with prizes of £25 Amazon vouchers up for grabs.

There will also be displays of sporting books, journals and work relating to the development of the branding for London 2012.

“On 9 November, a special ‘Sporting Challenge’ will be issued to users of the Tycoch library,” says LRC Manager Ian Cockrill. “Participants will be asked to jump on either a rowing machine or exercise bike and do their bit to virtually cover the entire length of the Welsh coastline. We are also running some free smoothie making demonstrations at 12pm on 4 November, showing students how to make a tasty, nutritious snack.”

At the Kingsway Centre, ESOL students will take part in a session designed to increase their awareness of the sporting opportunities available in the local area, using websites, brochures and leaflets.

“As well as developing their language and research skills, hopefully they will feel inspired to try out some new activities,” adds Ian.

All the college events for Libraries Fortnight have been made possible thanks to CyMAL grants received via the Welsh Government.

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Welsh Libraries Fortnight is one element of the Welsh Government’s strategic development programme for libraries in Wales which supports library services in Wales to work in partnership to provide free access to cultural, educational and recreational materials in library buildings, in the community and online.

Libraries Fortnight has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme, which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

CyMAL gives advice and financial support to local museums, archives and libraries; develops and implements policies appropriate to Wales, and provides authoritative policy advice to the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage.

Related links:

LibraryWales.org

Cymal : Museums Archives and Libraries Wales

Press release courtesy of the Wales European Funding Office

A £15m scheme to help over 10,500 workers in South West Wales gain new skills and drive forward productivity in the workplace has been announced by Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert AM.

Aimed at assisting up to 2,250 businesses, the Skills for Industry scheme will provide a strategic approach to the delivery of workforce development, offering sector specific training and development for staff. Accredited qualifications will also be offered up to and including Level 3, as well as short courses and NVQs to support productivity and progression in employment, raising the skill levels and tackling skills gaps and shortages in the labour market.

Gower College Swansea will lead the initiative, which is backed with £9m from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, alongside Coleg Sir Gar, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot Colleges.

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert AM, said: “Investing in skills is vital for the success and growth of these sectors. A workforce with the relevant skills is essential to drive forward performance and productivity. I am delighted that we have been able to back this initiative with EU funding, ensuring that Wales can derive the maximum economic and cultural benefits.”

Support will be focused on businesses operating within key sectors across South West Wales, including manufacturing, construction, auto motive, engineering, financial and professional services, care and tourism. In addition, the project aims to assist enterprises in developing their employee equality and diversity strategies and monitoring systems.

The four colleges will work closely together to meet the training needs of employers, including SMEs and social enterprises.

Regional Project Director Gill Davies said: “Skills for Industry will assist employers and enterprises in adapting to economic change by raising the skills levels and qualifications of their employees. We welcome the fact that EU funding has been awarded to this project which will benefit the South West Wales economy.”

Mark Hendy from Walter Energy Western Coal, one of the companies expected to take part in the initiative, said:  “We are delighted to be working with Gower College Swansea through the Skills for Industry project. The training delivered will assist the company by increasing the skills levels of our employees and helping us to meet the challenges and demands of the current economic environment.”

For more information contact the Skills for Industry Regional Project Team on 01792 284054 or SFI@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk