Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Celebrates Graduation…

The event, held at Venue Cymru, highlighted the outstanding achievements of students from across the region who have worked tirelessly to complete higher education courses and professional certifications.

Graduates from Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor were recognised for their success in earning undergraduate and foundation degrees, PGCEs, higher national certificates and more. In addition, professional qualifications were awarded through Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, covering fields such as management, human resources, accounting, marketing and business.

The journey to graduation was not without its challenges. Many students balanced the demands of work and family life, while others overcame personal health hurdles to reach this milestone.

The ceremony marked not just the completion of academic journeys, but also the exciting new opportunities awaiting each graduate as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.

Gabrielle Owen, from Tregarth near Bangor, was awarded a First-Class in HNC Construction, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey.

Gabrielle said, “Over the past two years, I’ve learned so much from my course at Coleg Menai and pushed myself to explore topics that helped deepen my understanding of the construction industry. It’s a field I find genuinely exciting, and I’m eager to keep learning as I start my Quantity Surveying degree at Wrexham University this September.”

Despite facing the challenges of dyslexia, Gabrielle has proven that hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. “Education hasn’t always been easy for me, especially with the challenges of dyslexia, but I set out to prove to myself that I could achieve just as much as anyone else,” she said.

Hazel Russell, an ESOL lecturer at Coleg Menai, has earned a Distinction in her PGCE, an accomplishment made all the more remarkable by the fact that she became a mum during her second year of the programme.

She said, “After becoming pregnant during my second year, I’ve very much appreciated the flexibility and support provided by the lecturers in ensuring that I was able to graduate. I look forward to returning to teaching after my maternity leave!”

Also graduating the PGCE programme was Lisa Hogg, from Rhyl, who graduated with a Merit despite undergoing an urgent hip replacement, and suddenly moving home during her studies.

She said, “I have learned more than just pedagogy during the last two years. I have learned about balance, about the importance of time management, resilience, and taking care of my health”.

For Lisa, one of the most impactful aspects of her experience was the unwavering support from her programme leader, Lesley Surguy-Price. “One person who made all the difference during this journey was my programme leader, Lesley, whose belief in me never wavered,” Lisa explained. “Her mentorship showed me the true power of having someone in your corner.”

Sophie Davies, from Llandudno Junction, graduated with a 2:1 in her BSc (Hons) in Sport Science - despite living in homeless accommodation for almost a year of her studies.

Sophie only became interested in fitness after having her son five years ago, but now plans to set up a sports massage business.

She said: “I had postnatal depression after having my son and had no confidence, and I was self-conscious when I first started going to the gym. But I ended up losing about four stone and got the bug for it. I also found it was really good for my mental health and thought, ‘I want to work in this field’.

“I’ve done my degree and completed my Level 3 Sports Massage while bringing up my five-year-old as a single mum, and working two days a week. I completed the first year of my degree while living in homeless accommodation for 11 months.

“It was tough, but definitely do-able. I’d do my work after my son went to bed, and I’d also arrive at college two hours early after dropping him off at breakfast club, so I’d be in the library at 8am and do two hours’ work before my lectures started.

“The tutors were brilliant - I actually quit the sports massage course halfway through but Amy and Charlotte talked me into coming back, and I’m glad I did. I’m now planning to do my PGCE so that I can teach sports massage, and I’m also setting up a mobile sports massage business.”

Lesley Ann Roberts achieved a Distinction in her Foundation degree in Health & Social Care at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in Dolgellau.

She said: “I had my son at a very young age and didn’t do well in my GCSEs. Going on the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care has opened the door to a whole new world. I never knew that these kinds of opportunities were available.

“It’s been difficult having to study and work in a supermarket, on top of being a mum and a wife, but it’s 100% worth it. And to cap it all off, I’ve just been told that I’ve been awarded a distinction grade. I’ll be coming back in September to do a level 6 BA Honours Degree in Health and Social Care.”

Also at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Tomos Puw Jones gained a 2:1 in his BA (Hons) Business Management.

Tomos said: “Whilst working on our family farm and contracting business, Dinas Contracting, I thought that having a professional qualification in Business Management would be helpful when I take over the family business in a few years time.

“The degree course really has been of great value to me. I have a much deeper understanding of the business and can’t wait to see our business, which is rooted in north west Wales, going from strength to strength.”

Bethan Ronan, a British Sign Language teacher at Coleg Llandrillo in Rhos-on-Sea, achieved a Distinction in her Professional Certificate of Education.

She said her course had been “an incredible journey of growth and learning”, adding: “I have learned so much, more than I expected, especially after completing a similar course a few years ago (Training of Sign Language Teachers Level 4).

“The support from the teachers has been amazing, particularly with challenges I have had at home and challenges with Disabled Students' Allowance, and I am truly grateful for that. Next up for me is completing Level 6 British Sign Language so I can teach all the BSL courses we offer at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.”

Engineering lecturer at Coleg Menai, Osian Roberts, who began his journey at the college as a student on the Level 3 Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering course, graduated with Distinction in the HNC in Engineering.

Osian said,

"Completing the HNC has been a pivotal step in my career, allowing me to transition into my current role as a lecturer in Engineering at Llangefni. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the course and am excited to continue my studies, with plans to pursue a full degree after finishing my teaching qualification."

Kim Shenton achieved her CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Level 6 Diploma in Professional & Digital Marketing through Busnes@LlandrilloMenai - Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's business training arm.

Having started Level 3 during the pandemic while working as receptionist at the Beaches Hotel in Prestatyn, Kim progressed to Level 4 and gained her first marketing position at the hotel.

After the hotel saw the impact of her work, they paid for her to complete the Level 6 course, and she has now been promoted to hospitality senior marketing executive, looking after the marketing activities of three hotels in the same group.

She said, “Studying for my CIM Level 6 was a thoroughly rewarding experience. I gained valuable insights that I now apply in my role every day, and I felt consistently supported and encouraged throughout the course by my fantastic tutor, Andrea”

“Since completing the qualification, I’ve been delighted to receive a promotion, which is a reflection of how much I’ve grown professionally through the CIM courses taught by Andrea.”

Sue Holdsworth graduated with the ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

Already an experienced manager within Busnes@Llandrillo Menai, Sue took on the qualification to strengthen her leadership skills and apply new thinking to the challenges of her role.

Sue said: “I became a Higher Apprentice at 58 – not because I had to, but because I wanted to. The qualification helped me reflect, refine my leadership, and challenge how I work.”

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers a wide range of Higher Education courses, browse them at: gllm.ac.uk/degrees