Young people are gaining real-world experience, building confidence and stepping into meaningful careers thanks to the Wrexham Social Care Academy.
The Academy brings together Wrexham County Borough Council and Coleg Cambria to offer structured placements to Level 3 Health and Social Care students.
Based at Coleg Cambria's £14 million Nant health and social care building at its Yale site, the programme is giving learners hands-on experience across frontline services while helping the council develop the future workforce.
The impact of the initiative was recently showcased during a visit from Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care in Wales, who toured the state-of-the-art facilities and met staff and learners involved in the Academy.
Vicky Edwards, Vice Principal of Technical Studies at Coleg Cambria, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Dawn Bowden to our Nant health building and showcase the impact of the Wrexham Social Care Academy. This partnership with Wrexham Council is creating valuable opportunities for learners, giving them hands-on experience while helping to develop a skilled and compassionate future workforce.
“We're proud of the difference it is making to students and social care services across Wrexham. By engaging learners early and highlighting the range of career pathways available, we are raising the profile of social care and inspiring the next generation.”
The Academy was launched in 2022 and since placements began dozens of learners have taken part in structured programmes supported by dedicated mentors.
Students rotate through services including community living, mental health outreach, reablement, residential and respite care, family centres, day services, extra care, occupational therapy and social work teams. Each placement gives learners a clear understanding of how social care professionals and services support individuals, families and communities with compassion and dignity.
Many former participants have progressed into social work degrees, further study, or paid roles within council services and the independent care sector.
Cllr John Pritchard, Wrexham's Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, said:
“This collaboration between the council and Coleg Cambria demonstrates that we are a learning organisation, committed to developing the future workforce.
“The preparation and planning that we have done means that Wrexham's Social Care Academy offers meaningful work experience and learning opportunities for the students.”
Claire Williams, Curriculum Director for Health, Social Care and Childcare at Coleg Cambria Yale, added:
“The Academy gives our learners something truly special, the chance to apply their classroom learning in real settings, supported by expert mentors who are passionate about developing the next generation.
“It's incredibly rewarding to see students grow in confidence, discover their career direction, and begin their journey into social care knowing they are already making a positive difference in their community.”
