JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016 - 119

KAREN PHILLIPS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Karen joined the college in April 2008 to lead the business support areas, having spent the previous
12 years running a commercial law firm. Since that time, the college has been through many changes
including building and opening a £40million campus in 2012 and merging with a neighbouring
college the following year.
'Working in the FE sector for eight years has been fantastic,' she says. 'I am in awe of my colleagues
and how dedicated they are to making a difference to the lives of our learners. It is a huge privilege
to attend prize evenings, A-level results day, end of year shows and apprenticeship graduations and
see the talented young people of Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Every day is different and I
never guessed how relevant my previous experience of capital projects and mergers would be.'

ANDREW JARVIS VICE PRINCIPAL
Andrew is the Vice Principal for Human Resources and Compliance at Coleg y Cymoedd, and not only
has responsibility for human resource management and health and safety, but also data protection,
freedom of information, European funding and compliance issues such as obtaining a raft of licences
to meet the legal requirements of the college's various operations. Andrew has almost 38 years'
experience working in the public sector, the past 26 of which have been in further education.
He says: 'I could never have imagined when I left school with six O-level qualifications and started
my first job as a clerical assistant with the local authority on 12 March 1979 that one day I would be a
Vice Principal of one of the fastest growing colleges in Wales.
'A career working with, and for, people is one of the most rewarding professions to be part of and
if there is one thing I have learned over nearly 38 years it is that you are only as good as the staff
you work directly with, and I have had the privilege of working with some great people who have
encouraged and believed in me over many years. Now I look at staff and think "never lose sight of
your dreams and aspirations because who knows where opportunities may take you in the future".'

RHIANNON SANTOS GCSE ENGLISH LECTURER
Former student Rhiannon started at Coleg y Cymoedd in 1997 as a Modern Apprentice in Business
Administration, but is now a full-time GCSE English and Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Lecturer.
'I have been given the opportunity to progress throughout my career and have thus worked in a
variety of departments within Coleg y Cymoedd,' she says.
'I have been extremely fortunate to work with many focused and hard-working individuals, which has
encouraged me to believe in myself, achieve more and be the best I can be.'

JUDITH EVANS PRINCIPAL
Having left school with few qualifications, Judith spent several years working in retail and in a family
business before studying for a HND in Business Studies aged 21. While working full-time as an
administrator, she returned to college part-time to undertake a teaching qualification.
'This qualification changed my life,' she says. 'I thoroughly enjoyed working with young people and
knew this was the career for me. In 1990 I joined the former Rhondda College as a Business Studies
Lecturer and was appointed Principal in 2008.
'The college has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities, including supporting my
Masters in Education. I couldn't imagine working anywhere else.'

Coleg y Cymoedd is a general further education college serving more than
12,000 learners from the boroughs of Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and
surrounding areas. The college has just over 800 staff working across four
campuses - Aberdare, Nantgarw, Rhondda and Ystrad Mynach. In
addition to vocational training, the college also provides the largest
choice of A-levels on one site to more than 600 learners. The college
offers a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum from Level 1 to Level 3
and also provides a Level 4 provision in partnership with local universities.
Coleg y Cymoedd is committed to providing high-quality, wide-ranging
and relevant education and training opportunities for the local community.

http://www.cymoedd.ac.uk/

JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016

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