FAQ - Possible Coleg Llandrillo & Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Partnership

16 March 2009

Why is Coleg Llandrillo Cymru considering forming a partnership or merger?

The College, as part of the response to the transformation agenda in Wales, needs to ensure that it continues to be responsive to the needs of learners and employers by seeking such collaborations to provide a wide range of high quality courses to its learners. In view of potential future reductions in Welsh Assembly Government funding, this also makes sense in economic terms. Partnerships, mergers and other forms of collaboration are also being actively promoted by Welsh Assembly Government.

Will there be any change of name?

No. The names of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru will be retained and promoted.

Will the learners have the same choice of courses?

Yes, and every effort will be made to further develop the curriculum to respond to local economic needs and personal aspirations.

Will the Colleges’ existing sites be affected ?

All existing sites will be maintained. The site infrastructure is important to ensure that learners have appropriate access to learning. There is also an intention to invest in the resources of both Colleges

What about a specialised site like Glynllifon?

Early discussions have highlighted that Glynllifon has great potential for further development, including the specialist areas of land-based provision, other rural developments and general vocational learning.

What about choice of language of study?

The existing choice of language of study will remain and be further enhanced.

Will students need to travel further to study?

No, they won’t have to travel any further.

Where will parents be able to discuss matters relating to the student’s progress?

At their local, existing College site. This will not change.

Will parents and students notice any changes?

They shouldn’t notice any negative ones, no. Going to College should feel pretty much the same as it did before, but with positive developments.

Will local employers notice any changes?

Yes, positive changes. Coleg Llandrillo Cymru’s considerable experience in employer engagement will allow Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor to be more responsive to the requirements of local businesses.

What about the staff?

Staff from both Colleges will continue to be treated fairly, and their conditions of service will be honoured.

Will staff need to travel more?

It is unlikely that support and lecturing staff will need to travel further. It is, however, reasonable to expect managers to be more mobile to support new developments and gain new experiences and opportunities.

How will the College be managed?

The three Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor sites will become part of the Llandrillo Group of Colleges. Day to day general management will remain on the existing Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor sites and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru sites.

Will this dilute the Welsh/bilingual ethos at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor?

Definitely not. The distinctive bilingual ethos at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor will be retained and strengthened. Policies, procedures and staff will ensure that this is maintained. Coleg Llandrillo Cymru will also benefit from this experience as the College continues to promote a bilingual ethos on its sites.

Will local communities notice any difference?

It is not envisaged that there will be any noticeable difference.

How will local opinions be taken onto account?

A committee will be established at each site. This committee, made up of local people – including business people – will be chaired by a member of the College governing body and be responsible for ensuring that the College is aware of, and listens, to local opinions. This will be true for all sites in the new organisation.

Coleg Llandrillo Cymru and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor are important employers in their areas. Will this create any redundancies?

There is no intention to enforce compulsory redundancies as part of this process. However, both Colleges cannot rule out changes forced upon them by future funding allocations and/or future changes required to respond to national policy or local needs.