Simon Pirotte has started as the new Principal of Coleg Powys and is ambitious to move the College forward. 

He is very passionate about education and the work we do with our learners and this has informed all the roles that he has undertaken in schools, FE and HE in the UK and abroad.  His most recent position was the Deputy Principal of Bridgend College. 

Simon is committed to excellence in teaching and learning and has a proven track record of achieving outstanding results.  He is also passionate about education and its importance to economic regeneration.

Simon informed staff that, “These are challenging times in a very tough financial climate in the Public Sector.  However, I believe that Coleg Powys has so much to offer learners across the County and we will play our part in providing outstanding learning and training opportunities to support the economic regeneration of the area.”

Four Coleg Powys students from the Newtown site were given the opportunity to go to the election debate that was held in Welshpool Town Hall on Monday and was broadcasted live on BBC Cymru.  The students were Sabrina Stephens, Ben Dearden, Danny Dobson and Adam Lewis.

The debate was very much in the style of question time with the panel made up of four candidates: MP Lembit Opik from the Liberal Democrats, Glyn Davies from the Conservatives, Heledd Fychan from Plaid and Nick Colbourne from Labour.

The debate was set up by the BBC to give the local community the opportunity to hear directly from their local representatives.  It also gave them the chance to pose questions about issues that directly affect them.

Sabrina, Danny and Adam are all first time voters and Sabrina got to ask the first question of the night.  They also participated in the live BBC Radio Wales interview, which was done before the debate.

Two Coleg Powys Painting and Decorating students were recently given the task of brightening up the Accountant’s office at the Newtown site.

Derek Seary, the Accountant at Coleg Powys, felt that his room needed a new lease of life, so he got the Painting and Decorating students on board to complete the task.

Vicki Cave and Rhia Howe were given the opportunity of doing this project, which would provide them with some useful experience of doing a professional job.  They had to discuss colour schemes with Derek and then paint the room.

Derek said: “I am very pleased with the job the girls have done.  The room looks so much better and it has provided the girls with some invaluable experience.”

The College is promoting Women in Industry by trying to encourage girls to join on to courses which are stereotypically seen as courses for boys. The scheme is part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s initiative for young people.

Amy Roderick has been awarded the Highly Commended Certificate, as part of the City & Guilds Medal of Excellence, to acknowledge the excellent work she has done to complete the Hospitality Supervision Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Amy works as the Front of House Manager at The Metropole in Llandrindod Wells.  She first joined the company as receptionist with no experience or qualifications.  She has since completed the NVQ Level 2 in Front Office, which resulted in a promotion and then she completed the Level 3 to provide her with the necessary skills to supervise her team.

The judges commented that the portfolio showed progression and knowledge of understanding, with good work products.

Amy has been mentored by Coleg Powys Assessor Sheena McAllister throughout her studies and has managed to overcome some of the supervisory barriers with the guidance and support of Sheena.

Amy said: “I am really pleased to win this certificate and to be acknowledged for all the hard work I have put in to the course.  I am very grateful to The Metropole for allowing me to progress and for supporting me through my studies.  I would also like to thank Sheena for all her help throughout the course.  I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.”

Hotel Managing Director Justin Baird-Murray said: “Since joining our team at The Metropole Amy has always shown a willingness to learn and develop her career. It is no surprise to me that she has achieved a highly commended certificate as her hard work and dedication are clear to see. Amy is currently undergoing The Metropole’s Management Development programme  to further develop her managerial skills and I am sure she will do equally well in that.”

The Brecon site of Coleg Powys held a Girls Behaving Constructively event recently, in which year 8 girls (13 year olds) from Crickhowell High School, Brecon High School, Maesydderwyn High School and Builth Wells High School attended.  The pupils got to experience and learn about the construction industry.

The event was arranged by Coleg Powys and Construction Skills, formerly CITB, with the help of Dai Morris from Careers Wales.

In the morning they had a practical session, which included ‘hands on’ Carpentry and Brickwork.  The session was run by Coleg Powys Construction Lecturers Chris Trott (Carpentry) and Richard Jones (Brickwork). 

The pupils had an opportunity to meet women working in the Construction industry, including two architects and one planner.  They were also given an introduction into the technical and professional careers that are available in this industry.

The activity in the afternoon was The Building Game, organised by Dyfed Wyn Jones and Gareth Jones who are both from Education Cskills.  The game looked at some of the people involved in construction and how they work together as a team to complete a building job successfully.

The feedback from the event was very positive with the girls saying they enjoyed the day with the practical sessions highlighted as the best.