Coleg Llandrillo and Betsi Cadwaladr celebrate 2025 Healthcare Practice learners
A celebratory event was held at Venue Cymru to mark the academic achievements of more than 50 healthcare support workers from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Coleg Llandrillo and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) held its 2025 celebratory event for Healthcare Practice Higher Education learners on Friday.
The event at Venue Cymru marked the academic achievements of more than 50 healthcare support workers who achieved the Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice.
The programme results from a strong and committed strategic partnership between Coleg Llandrillo, Betsi Cadwaladr and Bangor University, and has been commissioned and supported by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
It develops learners’ higher-level knowledge and skills, enabling employed healthcare support workers to carry out higher-level duties within their posts and empowering them to apply for an increased range of roles that extend their responsibilities.
Many pursue careers in nursing, and the programme offers the potential for progression directly to the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree at higher education institutions in Wales and beyond.
Speakers at the Venue Cymru event were:
- Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo
- Mandy Jones, Deputy Executive Director of Nursing for BCUHB
- Martin Riley, Deputy Director of Education, Commissioning and Quality for HEIW
- Hayley Lloyd, Coleg Llandrillo Healthcare Practice programme lead
- Healthcare Practice HE students Eugene Saunders and Tanya Symons
Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo, said: "I am immensely proud of the programme. A 93% success rate is, once again, an outstanding achievement that reflects the dedication of our academic and support staff, the commitment of our students, and the strength of collaborative leadership.
“The achievements of this cohort, many progressing from vocational roles to higher education qualifications, have shown remarkable determination. Their success is underpinned by the vital guidance of workplace mentors, and the support of our partners at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Health Education and Improvement Wales.
“Together we are building higher-level skills and confidence to excel, raising the quality of care and creating clear and sustainable pathways for future progression and career aspirations.
“This outstanding achievement highlights the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of lifelong learning.”
Martin Riley said: “It was inspiring to see the learners graduating and hear the stories of their education journeys.
“These individuals are embedded in the local community and make a massive difference in the services they work in. They are motivated and innovative, and enhance patients' safe and quality care. HEIW looks forward to working in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and BCUHB to offer even more opportunities to develop our valued healthcare support worker workforce.”
The Level 4 Healthcare Practice programme has grown significantly since 2013, when it began with a single cohort of eight students. HEIW now commissions Coleg Llandrillo to deliver the programme to more than 180 healthcare support workers across health, primary care and social care in North Wales and across all of Wales through distance learning.
Learners attend the college’s Rhos-on-Sea campus one day per week for an academic year, alongside their employment. The intensive course combines work-based experience and higher-level study, involving academic assessment at college and assessment within the workplace by clinically qualified NHS staff.
This year’s successful candidates praised the programme, with Keyley Davies saying: “This course transforms self-doubt into self-belief. Tutors are nurturing and deeply committed to developing professional practitioners.
“A strong sense of community forms among students and staff, creating a supportive, family-like environment. It’s a great course to prepare you for your next steps in your healthcare career.”
Elaine Thomson said: “Achieving my Level 4 in Healthcare Practice has been a journey of fulfilment. What at first seemed like a hard academic battle, became the reality that I could achieve my goal, and there's no feeling more amazing than that.”
Carmen Griffiths said: "Level 4 Healthcare Practice completed! I’m grateful for the journey, proud of the progress, and ready to make a difference. I’ve learned so much, and it has given me the courage to take a big step toward a future I’m excited about!”
Melanie Aspinall said: “This course didn’t just teach me skills, it gave me confidence in what I can do next.”
Attending the Venue Cymru event were this year’s successful candidates, their guests and workplace mentors, senior representatives at BCUHB, the Welsh Government and HEIW, colleagues from Bangor and Wrexham University, and college staff involved with the programme.
Recipients of the awards also enjoyed networking opportunities and a delicious buffet lunch served by Venue Cymru staff.
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers the widest range of Further and Higher Education courses in North Wales. Learn more about our courses here.