Our mission is simple – be all that you can be.
Bridgend College is a special place to learn and work. We want to create an inclusive environment which enables people to be innovative and passionate about what they do. We want to create inspirational opportunities which transform lives and celebrate the successes of every individual. We are committed to making decisions which are ethical and people-centred, for every person and in every interaction.
Bridgend College is a Further Education (FE) College which supports in excess of 7,000 full and part time learners, and employs around 750 members of staff across three campuses. The college serves learners through offering a wide range of courses, from pre-entry to degree level, in over 20 vocational areas
67% of college learners live in the Bridgend county borough, with the remaining 33% travelling from neighbouring local authorities. Based on the latest Welsh Government statistical release available (2019 statistics, published in October 2020), the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) places 6.8% of Bridgend neighbourhoods in the most deprived 10% in Wales. Careau is the 5th most deprived ward in Wales (was 6th in 2014) and has been within the highest deprivation ranking (classified as deep-rooted deprivation) for the entire 15-year existence of the WIMD. 55.7% of the neighbourhoods in Bridgend are in the top 50% most deprived in Wales, with 40% of the neighbourhoods ranked in the 30% most deprived in Wales (Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2019). When analysing learner demographics for those attending Bridgend College from neighbouring local authority areas, 17% live in an area of deprivation, totalling 48% of all learners living in an area of deprivation (as defined by the WIMD).
The College achieved a number of awards and recognition, including being ranked at number 33 in the ‘Best Companies’ top 50 ‘best large companies to work for in the UK’, top 10 ‘best companies to work for in Wales’ and top 5 ‘best education and training companies to work for in Wales’.
We were awarded ‘Outstanding Training Provider of the Year (Large)’ at the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) annual awards and were recognised by the Association of Colleges (AoC) annual Beacon Awards, achieving a ‘Commended’ accolade for ‘The RCU award for Support for Students’.