First Recipient of the Gryffudd Rhun Jones Remembrance Shield Named
An excelling student from the Automotive Engineering Department at Coleg Menai’s campus in Llangefni is the first to receive the Gryffudd Rhun Jones Remembrance Shield.
Gethin Owen, who is an Apprentice Vehicle Mechanic (Level 3) at Coleg Menai, was nominated to receive the Shield and prize of £100 for his outstanding progress shown this year.
The Shield is in remembrance of former student Rhun Jones, who sadly passed away in February 2020 following a tragic car accident. To honour the memory of Rhun, his parents pledged to award the Gryffudd Rhun Jones Shield for the next ten years, along with a £100 prize, to a deserving learner on the Automotive Engineering courses delivered at Coleg Menai.
Rhun was a student at Coleg Menai, where he successfully completed his Level 3 Automotive Engineering Apprenticeship between 2012 and 2015. He completed his Apprenticeship programme through the support of his employer of seven years, Iolo Evans at Glanafon Garage, Abersoch. More recently, Rhun worked at North Wales Rally Services with his uncle, Robin.
Gethin works at ‘Valley Motors’ of Valley on the Isle of Anglesey. He has already achieved and attained his vocational studies in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair by passing the V.M.R. Technical certificate and the NVQ City & Guilds Level 2 qualification.
He is now working toward achieving and attaining the V.M.R. Technical certificate and the City & Guilds Level 3 qualification.
Arfon Roberts, Automotive Engineering Lecturer at Coleg Menai, said,
“Gethin is a very capable learner, who has demonstrated an excellent interest in his vocational studies at Coleg Menai since he began his studies with us in 2018.”
“He has produced work of a consistently high standard throughout his studies for the Level 2 and 3 qualifications - He is always the first to answer a question in class and shows good, sound technical knowledge. The excellent attitude shown in college has definitely shown through in his NVQ portfolio of evidence produced at his workplace - Valley Motors.”
“His Level 2 and 3 NVQ portfolio will also be adopted as an exemplar file to demonstrate what is achievable for next year’s cohort!”
Gethin, speaking after receiving the Shield, said,
“I am extremely proud to have been awarded the Gryffudd Rhun Jones Remembrance Shield, and would like to express my gratitude to Rhun’s parents for this great opportunity”
“My time at Coleg Menai has been fantastic, and has helped to prepare me for full-time employment in the Automotive Engineering industry”
Linda Jones, Rhun’s mother, said,
“We owe a great deal to the College for the experience and support Rhun received during his time as a student here, which enabled him to fulfil his dream of becoming a world class mechanic.”
“Special thanks to everyone in the automotive department. It was wonderful to meet Gethin - congratulations to him and we wish him all the best for the future. We are proud to be able to motivate and help other students to achieve their goals in Rhun's memory.”
