Latest news with #GrŵpLlandrilloMenai
Business News Wales
31-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Capturing the Local Impact of Hospitality in North Wales
When you live and work in North Wales, the value of hospitality and tourism is not something you need to be told – you see it every day. It's in the young people gaining skills and confidence through a college course or first job. It's in the family running a rural pub that holds a community together. And it's in the visitors who return year after year, not just for the scenery but for the welcome. But showing that value – proving it in a way that's recognised by decision-makers – hasn't always been straightforward. That's why I see the introduction of UKHospitality's Social Productivity Index as such a significant step forward. It gives us a way to capture not just the economic impact of our sector, but its social value, too. And for those of us working across hospitality in North Wales – whether through training and education or directly in our communities – that shift in how we measure impact is long overdue. At Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, we work with learners, businesses and communities across the region. Tourism and hospitality are key sectors for us, not only because of the number of jobs they support, but because of the opportunities they offer. We've recently secured Growth Deal funding for a Tourism Talent Network project – now called Academy Croeso – which supports people into the sector and helps them progress once they're in it. This isn't just about frontline roles. It includes leadership and management, digital skills, sustainability, and wider development – the sort of wraparound support that allows people to grow into long-term careers. That wraparound support matters most when it's rooted in the local community. We're working directly with businesses across the region and running a programme that includes engagement with schools, both primary and secondary. It's about making opportunities visible early on – not just for young people but for parents and teachers, too. When people see clear pathways, they're more likely to see the sector as a viable, worthwhile career and stay in the communities where they grew up. That local focus is something I've also seen first-hand through my involvement with Yr Eagles, a community pub in Llanuwchllyn near Bala. When the owners decided to retire, the village came together to buy the pub – not because it was a business opportunity, but because it was a vital part of community life. It's where groups meet, where events are held, and where neighbours connect. We established a community benefit society – Menter Gymunedol Cyf – raised funds through a community share offer and were able to secure additional grant funding to make it happen. Any income generated now goes back into the community, supporting, for example, the local after-school club, which in turn supports the viability of our village school. This is what social productivity looks like in practice – local action, local benefit, and long-term value. But it takes time, skills and support to get there. One thing we've learned is the need for greater capacity building at community level. These kinds of projects can't happen in isolation. They need to be recognised, supported, and enabled through wider policy frameworks. That's especially important in rural parts of Wales, where tourism and hospitality are particularly important for delivering real potential to spread prosperity. They offer work to a diverse workforce, help keep the Welsh language vibrant and connect directly with other foundational sectors like food, agriculture and energy. For example, we've run Agritech and Agrifood programmes from our Food Technology centre on Anglesey for many years, and are building a critical mass and momentum around land based knowledge transfer at Coleg Glynllifon. The links between the food and drink sector and the visitor economy are clear and mutually reinforcing. This is about systems and systems thinking/delivery, not silos and the Social Productivity Index helps us reflect that. The challenge now is not just to measure this impact, but to lock it in. That means ensuring the value created through tourism feeds back into the infrastructure communities need, from housing and transport to broadband and public services. It also means recognising that this sector plays a foundational role in attracting inward investment. High-quality hospitality and vibrant communities make a place investable, not just visitable. There are already encouraging signs of change. Strategies like the new sustainable tourism plan for Gwynedd and Eryri focus on reducing seasonality and spreading benefits more evenly and sustainably across the year. We've seen similar approaches elsewhere in Europe, and there's much we can learn from how others link tourism income to reinvestment in communities. But to build momentum, we need tools that can help us make the case. That's where the Index comes in. It provides the evidence base to support what many of us already know: that hospitality brings economic, social and cultural value in a way few other sectors can. That's where the real opportunity lies – in using it to inspire, to influence, and to invest in the future of a sector that plays such a central role in the life of our region. Gwenllian Roberts talks about this and more in the Business News Wales Tourism & Hospitality podcast episode How Should We Measure the Impact of Hospitality? Listen to the podcast HERE
Business News Wales
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
First Minister Visits Ground Breaking Decarbonisation Hub
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS has visited Tŷ Gwyrddfai, a ground-breaking decarbonisation hub in Penygroes, to see how the facility is at the forefront of the decarbonisation agenda and efforts to reach net zero targets. The former hygiene products factory has been transformed over the past two years into a decarbonisation hub that is now the head office for Adra's Trwsio in-house contractors, which employs over 150 staff. Travis Perkins have also set up a depot on site to provide Adra and its contractors with materials and supplies. Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, the commercial arm of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, manages training pods on the site, delivering tailored decarbonisation and construction skills to young people and existing members of the construction workforce, especially in areas such as exterior wall insulation, installation and servicing of solar panels, air source heat pumps and battery storage. Bangor University leads on an innovative, state of the art research and development facility dedicated to testing and trialing new technology and materials that align with the decarbonisation agenda. This facility boasts two chambers designed to replicate the inside and outside of a house for climate testing. This facility has been funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund. During the visit, the First Minister met representatives from the partner organisations, as well as people that have directly benefitted from training and upskilling programmes at Tŷ Gwyrddfai. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: 'Reducing carbon emissions from housing is an important factor in tackling climate change, while also helping reduce people's fuel bills. 'Creating green jobs is one of my priorities, so it was great to meet some of the people that have benefitted from the training at Tŷ Gwyrddfai and see how Welsh Government funding is creating new career opportunities for people in Penygroes and the surrounding area.' Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra, said: 'We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to see and hear at first hand from the partners and from people that have benefitted directly from programmes offered at Tŷ Gwyrddfai. 'The development of Tŷ Gwyrddfai will lead to a more qualified and skilled workforce; it will contribute towards reducing carbon emissions in our homes, which in turn will reduce the impact of increasing fuel and energy costs by making our homes more energy efficient and improve the quality of life for our tenants'. Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive Officer – Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: 'We're incredibly proud of Busnes@LlandrilloMenai's contribution to the Tŷ Gwyrddfai project and the partnership with Adra and Bangor University. This initiative delivers real value for the region by equipping local businesses with the skills to provide net-zero solutions and retrofit services that ultimately drive decarbonisation within the building and construction sector.' Professor Edmund Burke, Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University, said: 'Bangor University is proud to be a partner in the Tŷ Gwyrddfai project, reflecting our ongoing dedication to sustainable innovation and supporting Wales on its path to decarbonisation. 'Since its launch, the research facility offers important insight into the impact of climate change on the construction sector. Together with our partners, we are driving North Wales to the forefront of the green transition, shaping a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for the region.'
Leader Live
15-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
MS shares touching personal story following VE Day
MS for Delyn As I mentioned in my previous column, there were nationwide celebrations to mark the anniversary of VE Day last week and I was privileged to attend the Holywell VE Day event on Thursday. VE Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe – on May 8, 1945, communities across our area and throughout the UK celebrated the end of a long and devastating conflict in Europe. My own lovely and much-missed nana, then aged just 17, was part of a VE Day celebration in Primrose Street in Connah's Quay – you can see her in the photo I've published on my Facebook page at Many of us took part in events during the week and at the weekend to reflect on the sacrifices made and the peace secured eight decades ago, but at the same time we must collectively commit to learn from the past and strive together towards peace – and let us remember the courage of those who served and the resilience of those who rebuilt. From Skills Competition Wales to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, learners across Wales are proving their talent, drive and ambition, including three from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, with one representing Renewable Energy from Coleg Llandrillo's Rhyl campus. Also our very own Coleg Cambria has a finalist in the EuroSkills Herning 2025 competition for Team UK, which will be held in Denmark in September. These competitions don't just showcase skills they build on them, inspiring the next generation to reach higher and meet the demands of future industries like net zero tech. In the Senedd last week, I asked the Welsh Government what discussions have taken place about encouraging colleges across Wales to participate in the WorldSkills competition to help meet the needs of industry. It's important for young apprentices in Wales to have the opportunity to test themselves against their peers – and it's great for our tech industries too. On a similar note, I'd like to wish pob lwc to all those taking their exams this summer. May is the start of the GCSE and A-level exam period and I want to wish everyone taking part in these assessments the best of luck. I know students across the country will be revising for their exams and this can be a time of great stress and anxiety for young minds – exams can be a challenging time and the pressure to do well can feel overwhelming. It's perfectly normal to feel worried about exams, but it's important that you find ways to manage your worries. If you're a student about to start exams or a parent or guardian concerned about the exams, you might find these tips useful from Place2Be – the children's mental health charity – go to for help and advice. I recently had the chance to meet with Holywell Town Council alongside my parliamentary colleague Becky Gittins MP to discuss the March announcement by Santander Bank that it's planning to close their Holywell branch in August, leaving the town with no high street banking facilities at all. Bank closures are challenging for people who don't use computers or smartphones to do their banking and especially for the older generations who rely more on high street facilities. It's vital that we don't simply cut these people off and so I support the introduction of 'banking hubs' like the one recently opened by the Post Office in Flint, in which you can pay in cheques and cash and pay bills. Holywell needs something similar, as do many other areas affected by bank closures. Finally, I had the chance at the weekend to pop in to Mold's newest high street addition – Cracked Coffee – on its opening day. Cracked Coffee has been operating online for a while and the company's ethical approach to trading and work to support our local communities has been a success story here in North Wales and it was great to see the company open its first town centre coffee shop – and taste their delicious coffee! It's important that we support our local high street shops and the Welsh Government's £100m Transforming Towns initiative goes some way to help our towns to develop the kind of local businesses that provide for visitors and residents alike. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
North Wales Chronicle
01-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor care home worker achieves new qualification
Carolyn Williams, the deputy manager at Ceris Newydd and Glyn Menai care homes, completed the Level 5 Leadership and Management in Health & Social Care qualification. This new qualification allows learners to draw on their experience in the health and social care sector while further developing their skills and gaining qualifications. As her final project for the higher apprenticeship, Ms Williams researched and launched a dementia-friendly café for residents at Glyn Menai, which she hopes to open up to the wider community. She signed up for the Level 5 course after completing Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management through Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's further education pathway. Ms Williams said: "I enjoyed the Level 5 course, it was interesting. "It helped that I had a lot of insight from doing the Level 4. "It was a lot of work, especially on top of working 40 hours a week, but it was worth it for the final project. "I created a dementia-friendly café which our residents go to on a Monday, so they get to attend a café with family members and staff but remain on the site. "It's been popular, and my plan for the project is to introduce it to the community, so that people who have a dementia diagnosis can have the opportunity to be part of our community. "I hope it will be a way of being introduced to the setting, so that it's not so overwhelming when they do come here. "Also, it can be a way of sharing information between new residents and old residents and ones who've been here longer." READ MORE: New Age UK campaign urges midlifers to be more active to prepare for later life Ms Williams has supported her staff at Fairways in completing their own qualifications through work-based learning and has built a close working relationship with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Her assessor Liz Wainwright said: "A huge congratulations to our first successful achiever on the new Higher Apprentice qualification. "I'm so proud that Carolyn has achieved this. "She has worked extremely hard to complete the qualification, and her confidence has grown throughout. "I'm looking forward to continuing working with Carolyn and the team at Fairways supporting their staff through their Health and Social Care qualifications." The Level 5 leadership and management in health and social care higher apprenticeship has been developed to equip the social care sector with more highly skilled workers.
Cambrian News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
North Wales housing association contributes to national debate
The work of Tŷ Gwyrddfai, the flagship decarbonisation hub the housing association set up in Penygroes in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Bangor University was highlighted during the evidence session. The report published on 17 April recognises that the hub 'upskills the local supply chain including Adra's in-house repairs and maintenance team with the latest green skills, supporting retrofit programmes by the Welsh and UK governments'. The report highlights that over 800 tradespeople have been trained at the hub.
