New College proposal for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren are investigating the creation of a new joint college of Further Education serving both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, through a proposed merger of the two existing colleges. The colleges submitted a Strategic Outline Proposal in response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) “Transforming Education and Training Provision in Wales” report of September 2008. The proposal highlights the benefits to learners, employers and the wider community that the creation of a new college could provide – increasing access to quality education and training for individuals and organisations across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

In September 2008, WAG published the “Transforming Education and Training Provision in Wales” report. This report invited colleges across Wales to submit a Strategic Outline Proposal to WAG’s Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS), during early 2009, “to collaborate to establish regional networks of post-16 and post-19 skills specialism; and merge or form formal federations where this will maximise learner benefits.”

In November and December 2008 Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren jointly commissioned external consultants RCU Ltd to undertake preliminary research to inform the colleges’ response to the Transformation Agenda. This included a stakeholder consultation involving around 40 key stakeholders in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, such as universities, local councils and employers, while all college staff were invited to attend focus groups. 

By January 15th 2009, following positive feedback from the consultation, a report was submitted to DCELLS proposing the investigation of a merger between Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren, with a request that funds are provided to cover any associated costs to fully realise the potential of a new college.

In March 2009, DCELLS provided formal feedback welcoming the Strategic Outline Proposal and asked the colleges to prepare a more detailed business appraisal for submission to DCELLS later this year. Consequently, the governing bodies of both colleges are now investigating the creation of a new college, through a potential merger, to serve as an inclusive learning network for Cardiff and the Vale. Issues being explored, for the business appraisal due in Autumn 2009, include the funding and timescales required.

Jacquie Turnbull and Peter Cope, Chairs of Coleg Glan Hafren’s and Barry College’s Governing Bodies respectively, said in a joint statement, “Both colleges feel that the proposed merger to create a new college, with sites in both Cardiff and the Vale, would result in a learning network that benefits the capital region of Wales and fully meets the training and education needs of the people, businesses and communities of the area. We have now moved onto the next stage of investigating the business case for merger, although the precise timing of the process will depend on many factors including the availability of revenue and capital funding. If a merger were to go ahead, we are confident learners should see many benefits, but will not be affected until September 2010 at the earliest.”

The Governing Bodies and Senior Management Teams of both Colleges believe it is vital to ensure all those affected by a potential merger, including staff, students, employers and the wider community, are kept fully up-to-date at all times in taking the project forward. As part of this process ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and updates will be available on both colleges’ websites - www.barry.ac.uk and www.glan-hafren.ac.uk .
ENDS

For further information contact:
Chris Seal
Marketing Manager, Coleg Glan Hafren
Tel: 02920 250438. Email seal_c@glan-hafren.ac.uk

Sarah Hughes
Marketing Manager, Barry College
Tel: 01446 725015. Email s.hughes@barry.ac.uk