Menai and Llandrillo colleges merge for 34,000 students and 2,000 workers

Jul 14 2011 by Martin Williams, North Wales Weekly News

A SUPER-college has been created after a merger that will unite 34,000 students and 2,000 staff.

Coleg Llandrillo, based in Rhos-on-Sea, and Bangor’s Coleg Menai joined forces last Friday to become Grp Llandrillo/ Menai.

The new super-college will turn over £70m a year and become one of the biggest in the UK.

Both formally agreed to move forward with their merger plans and enter a consultation phase.

Final decisions will be taken in December with a view, subject to Welsh Government approval, of achieving the union by next April.

The college will operate from 14 campuses across Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

Coleg Menai principal Dafydd Evans added: “This is an excellent opportunity for both colleges to form a robust educational platform for further education in North West Wales for years to come.

“Both institutions are in strong positions individually, but in forming the new group we will create a cost-effective structure which will respond more strategically to the needs of the economy.”

The merger – integral to the Welsh Government Transformation process in Wales – represents the union of two strong partners which will add value to learners in the regions affected, college bosses added.

The body will be developed along “Grwp lines”, allowing for the identities of the individual colleges to be retained in their localities.

Chair of Coleg Llandrillo John Bellis felt it was a significant move: “The merger of two successful colleges completes the strategic picture for central and North West Wales for many years to come.”

The process of recruiting a principal for Grwp Llandrillo/ Menai will start this summer.