Coleg Menai Learners Gain Valuable Work Experience with Isle of Anglesey County Council
Students from Coleg Menai’s Skills for Life and Work programme have completed a rewarding week of work experience, thanks to new opportunities provided by the Isle of Anglesey County Council.
As part of the ‘Step Up to Work’ scheme, the students were placed in a variety of departments within the local authority, including Housing, Education, Business, and Waste Management. This initiative, specifically tailored for learners with additional learning needs, aims to help them develop key skills such as teamwork, confidence, communication, and organisational abilities - skills that are crucial as they prepare to transition into the workforce.
The Step Up to Work scheme is the latest milestone in the growing partnership between Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and the Isle of Anglesey County Council. Both organisations have worked together for several years to enhance skills development and create meaningful employment opportunities across Anglesey.
In 2023, the two organisations formalised their collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding, which focuses on three core areas: advancing education and skills across Ynys Môn and North Wales, fostering economic development on the island, and strengthening corporate partnerships.
In addition to the placements provided to the Skills for Life and Work learners, Coleg Menai’s Health and Care Department already operates a successful work placement scheme in collaboration with the local authority. This scheme allows students to shadow social services staff, providing invaluable insights into the sector.
These placements were offered exclusively to Coleg Menai students, who applied through a structured recruitment process. Each student was assigned a mentor within their department and provided with dedicated resources to support their growth.
Helen Parry, Deputy Programme Area Manager for Skills for Life and Work at Coleg Menai, explained,
“The partnership between Coleg Menai and Isle of Anglesey County Council has been instrumental in providing our learners with real-world experience across various sectors, equipping them for future employment”
She added, “The council’s support, alongside the guidance from our tutors, plays a vital role in helping our students build the confidence and skills they need as they prepare to enter the job market.”
Anglesey Council’s Corporate and Customer Experience portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones, said, “I am delighted that the students enjoyed their work experience with various Council services. The Council is an excellent employer and offers a range of possible exciting career opportunities. A huge thank you to everyone involved in arranging this valuable experience and I look forward to more collaboration with Coleg Menai in the future.”
