Latest news with #JoeYates
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Brand new Wrexham University centre nears completion
The centre is part of the North Wales Growth Deal and is set to become a hub for industry engagement, research, and innovation. Construction began in February 2024, and on Thursday, June 5, university colleagues, the main contractor Wynne Construction, and Ambition North Wales gathered to celebrate the project's progress. The new building will provide a centre for collaboration and skills development in sustainability, renewables, and high-value manufacturing, with a particular focus on lightweight composites, hydrogen technologies, and optics and photonics expertise. The centre is spread across two university sites, the Plas Coch campus in Wrexham and the OpTIC Technology Centre at the St Asaph campus. The university is committed to reducing its environmental impact, and the construction of the centre was planned to contribute positively to decarbonisation, biodiversity, and social value goals. Various materials were selected to minimise the carbon footprint, including photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, innovative insulation to reduce energy use, and a heat pump system to minimise reliance on traditional heating. Low-carbon steel, made from recycled steel, was used in the construction, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag, a by-product of steel manufacturing, was used in the concrete mix to further reduce the carbon footprint. The university's campuses have seen a 30.5 per cent increase in biodiversity as a result of the project, with trees planted and wildflower seeds sown at the Northop campus to provide a habitat for insects, birds, and small animals. Professor Joe Yates, vice-chancellor of Wrexham University, said: "The near completion of the EEOC building also marks a superb milestone for sustainability in the project's positive contributions to decarbonisation, social value and enhancing biodiversity. "The project team have done an excellent job—from ensuring that materials were carefully selected and sourced to ensure a reduction in our carbon footprint to a 30% increase in biodiversity on our campuses." Social and local economic value targets were surpassed during the construction phase, with more than 400 jobs safeguarded and nearly 60 per cent of the workforce residing in Wales. The supply chain strategy directed 76 per cent of spend to North Wales SMEs. Apprenticeships have been key in building skills in the area, with 80 per cent of apprentices recruited from North Wales. Chris Wynne, managing director of Wynne Construction, said: "We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with Wrexham University on the delivery of this exceptional building and to play a role in a transformative programme that benefits not only the University but the wider North Wales region." READ MORE: Drivers ignoring changes to Wrexham city centre putting others at 'significant risk' Cllr Dave Hughes, lead member for the North Wales Growth Deal's Innovation in High Value Manufacturing programme, Ambition North Wales, said: "The EEOC is a prime example of the sustainable, economic development we aim to deliver through our Innovation in High Value Manufacturing programme—securing high-value employment and training opportunities and supporting manufacturing businesses to decarbonise. "The project has really delivered at pace while maintaining a focus on its social value commitments, which I'm delighted were also highlighted today." The EEOC is on target to open for the start of the next academic year in September 2025.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Why investment in transport is vital for Wales' future
Professor Joe Yates will welcome influential transport and business leaders from across England and Wales to the university on May 22 and 23 for Transport for Wales' first Public Transport Summit. The two-day event aims to unlock economic prosperity through public transport links, providing an opportunity for the public, private, and tertiary sectors to collaborate and share their aspirations for the future of public transport in Wales and the borders. Speaking ahead of the summit, Professor Yates said: "Strong transport links drive economic prosperity – and as one of the youngest universities in the UK, we know that we have a crucial responsibility to deliver skills, which drives economic growth for the wellbeing of current and future generations. "But without efficient and reliable transport networks, businesses will struggle to access markets, workers will have difficulty accessing jobs, and regions will be unable to attract vital investment and innovation." He emphasised the importance of accessible transport in unlocking opportunities, reducing inequalities, and strengthening community resilience. He said: "As an anchor institution here in North East Wales, it's crucial that we are involved in this important discussion between all sectors with the aim of there being a joined-up vision for the future. "Investment in resilient transport links is vital for our current and future generations." Professor Yates also highlighted the connection between strong connectivity and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which legally obliges public bodies in Wales to act today for a better tomorrow. He said: "Good transport is fundamental to wellbeing. "Accessible, affordable, and efficient transport enhances people's quality of life, enabling access to education, health services, cultural activities, and green spaces. "This supports multiple goals of the Act, including 'A Healthier Wales' and 'A Wales of Vibrant Culture and Thriving Welsh Language'." READ MORE: North Wales estate agent writes best-selling property book James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, added: "This will be Wales' first Public Transport Summit and we have an array of very influential and interesting speakers, who will be joining us and be part of the discussion about the future of public transport in Wales and the borders. "This is about building collaborative working partnerships between all sectors within the transport industry and offering a joined-up vision for the future. "I'd encourage all representatives from across the transport sector and business community within Wales and the borders to join us for this event." Professor Yates will be one of the speakers and panellists at the summit, alongside Michael Williamson, chief executive officer of Wrexham AFC; Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL; Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester; Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales; Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham County Borough Council; Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council; and more.
Wales Online
22-04-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Welsh universities 'must work harder' to attract local teenagers
Welsh universities 'must work harder' to attract local teenagers There is "untapped potential " in Wales, warns Wrexham University boss Joe Yates "We need to communicate the benefits of universities," said Professor Joe Yates (Image: Wrexham University ) Welsh universities must do more to attract local teenagers to apply, a university boss has warned. Wales has the lowest rate of 18-year-olds applying to university than any other part of the UK. Professor Joe Yates, Vice Chancellor of Wrexham University, said that's bad for individuals and Wales as a whole. He believes institutions could do more outreach and workshops with schools and colleges to show teenagers the value to them of getting a degree. There is "untapped potential " in Wales, he said. Wrexham University, which already attracts students from backgrounds least likely to go on to higher education, is working more closely with local colleges and recently signed a partnership with Coleg Cambria. "We have a track record on inclusion and a lot of our students come from backgrounds which historically did not go to university," said Professor Yates, "We are in north east Wales and teach the skills north east Wales needs." Wrexham University aims to be a world leading "civic university" Article continues below Private and public sector employers in Wales need skills that universities teach and institutions need to respond and evolve, the Vice Chancellor said. This could mean different courses as well as different ways of delivering those courses. Read more here about how fewer 18-year-olds from Wales apply for university compared with other areas of the UK "We need to communicate the benefits of universities. University is not for everyone and we need a range of skills, but we need to reflect on what we do differently, especially with young people from the least well off backgrounds," said Professor Yates. "I think it's about collaborating across education, business and government about what education offers. It is about showcasing and doing outreach and workshops with schools and colleges. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "There is a huge amount of untapped potential and it is what can we do to unlock that? I would show young people the possibilities they can realise with a degree and what those pathways look like. "Why are we putting a false ceiling on these young people? There is untapped potential and the onus is on us to say what we are going to do differently." The degrees with the highest numbers of applicants at Wrexham University are health and nursing, speech and language and criminology Wrexham is now working more closely with local further education colleges and aims to educate a local workforce that meets the needs of industry and the public sector in Wales. It recently signed a partnership with Coleg Cambria to work together more closely. "Young people in Wales are less likely to go to university than elsewhere in the UK. We need to look at that and think what we need to do differently," said Professor Yates. He pointed out that research shows those with a university degree not only enjoy better pay and job prospects but better health. Universities around Wales, like others across the UK, are facing huge financial pressure with falling numbers of higher paying international students, rising prices and largely static domestic fees. Wrexham and the University of Wales Trinity St Davids, which run more vocational courses, are the only two universities in Wales not to end the last academic year with a deficit. Degrees at Wrexham include courses covering areas such as green energy, manufacturing, business, public services, nursing and healthcare, all of which are skills needed locally. Professor Yates said there are "real world learning opportunities" including simulated wards on site for teaching. "There are a wide range of skills needed in the economy. It is the role of higher education to make sure we are positioned to respond to skills needs - but that should not rule out other disciplines which are not vocational," said Professor Yates. "It is important to see the sector as a whole and we all play a role. We are in the industrial heartlands of north east Wales and respond to that. "All universities really should and do, engage in reviewing their portfolios. For us our new strategy very firmly locates us. Health and nursing, speech and language and criminology - these are the subjects that get the most applicants here. "We really want to play a role delivering the skills the local health boards need." Wrexham university ended the 2023-2024 academic year with a £1.3m operating surplus, but this leaves no room for complacency and financial headwinds are buffeting the whole higher education sector, Professor Yates said. Across Wales universities forecast a combined deficit in Wales of more than £70m at the end of this financial year and that figure could well end up being more. The closure of degrees and entire departments are being proposed as Cardiff University wrestles with a projected £31m+ deficit and hundreds of jobs are earmarked to go. Jobs are also being shed at Bangor University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales. Swansea University is undertaking a curriculum review. Aberystwyth University last year said it was looking at £15m of cuts but did not say how many, if any, jobs would go. While Wrexham is not proposing job losses and did not post a deficit last year Professor Yates warned: "We are not immune to the challenges the sector is facing - universities are facing significant challenges as we move forward in the next couple of years. "The role universities play in developing skills and prosperity is significant. Education is not always linear and we recruit a lot of mature learners. "We want students to go on to employment. I don't think traditional universities are dying out but universities evolve. "Universities adapt to different circumstances. I don't think three-year degree courses are going to end as the preferred option but they could be part of wider provision." Article continues below
