Coleg Cambria

What Coleg Cambria does

Coleg Cambria is a further education college headquartered in Connah's Quay, Deeside, Wales, formed in 2013 through the merger of Deeside College and Yale College. Positioned as the largest college in Wales, it operates six+ campus locations across North Wales including Yale (Wrexham), Deeside, Bersham Road (Wrexham), Llysfasi (Denbighshire), Northop (Flintshire), and dedicated sixth form sites. The college delivers full-time 16-18 education (A Levels, vocational qualifications, BTECs), higher education through its University Centre (degrees, HNCs, HNDs, Access to HE), adult and part-time learning (30+ subject areas), apprenticeship programs, and employer training services via Cambria for Business.

The business model is primarily government-funded: as a Welsh Government further education institution, Coleg Cambria receives statutory funding for eligible students and Welsh language programs, supplemented by professional services revenue from employer partnerships, apprenticeship programs, and the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH) joint venture with Wrexham University. Capital funding has been secured from Lloyds (£7M), Welsh Government via Medr (Advanced Skills Hub), and the First Minister's office (£14M Health and Wellbeing Hub). Go-to-market combines direct enrollment at campuses, online applications, school liaison programs, open days, employer partnerships for apprenticeships, and enterprise-level engagement with NHS Wales and regional businesses.

Technically, the college operates a WordPress-based website with Recite Me accessibility toolbar, Google Analytics, and Microsoft Clarity. AI tools are deployed for marking assistance, instant personalized feedback, moderation, self-evaluation, progress tracking, predictive analytics on student retention, live translation, and enrollment/student services automation — though all grading retains human tutor review. Specialized facilities include the net zero Hwb Arloesi Innovation Hub (BREEAM 'Excellent', solar panels, air source heat pumps), the Iâl Restaurant, Bakery, and Spa training facilities, esports arenas, and a forthcoming 50-bedroom student accommodation block at Llysfasi. The college maintains bilingual English/Welsh delivery and holds Estyn 'Excellent' inspection ratings for adult learning.

Name

Coleg Cambria

Legal name

Coleg Cambria

Website

https://cambria.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Coleg Cambria is the largest further education college in Wales, serving 16-18 learners, adults, apprentices, and employers across six North Wales campuses. It delivers academic, vocational, higher education, and employer training programs funded primarily through Welsh Government grants and strategic partnerships with NHS Wales and Wrexham University.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further and Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Institutional & Commercial Kitchen Training (Schools/Healthcare/Corporate) (EDAOAKAL)

Keywords

• Further education
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Higher education access
• Employer workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Connahs Quay

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a further education college in Wales, Coleg Cambria primarily receives government funding for eligible students and programs, including Welsh Government funding for Welsh language programs and adult education.
2. Healthcare Workforce Training: Partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop healthcare workforce training, including nurse cadets programs and specialist disciplines.
3. Skills Partnership and Apprenticeship Programs: Joint venture with Wrexham University for Advanced Skills Hub (ASH) to deliver skills training, apprenticeships, and workforce development for businesses across Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Wrexham.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Coleg Cambria is a further education college in North Wales delivering full-time education for 16-18 year olds (A Levels, GCSEs, vocational qualifications), higher education and Access to HE programs, adult and part-time courses, work-based apprenticeships, and employer-focused workforce training through Cambria for Business. The college operates across six campuses and also runs commercial training facilities such as Iâl Restaurant, Iâl Bakery, Iâl Spa, and an Esports programme.

Product overview

Coleg Cambria is a Further Education college in North Wales offering a comprehensive educational portfolio across multiple delivery channels. The core offerings include full-time College 16-18 courses (A Levels, GCSEs, vocational programmes), University Centre higher education programmes including Access to HE, Adults & Part Time courses for professional and personal development, and Apprenticeships combining work-based learning with college study. Additional specialized services include Cambria for Business employer training, commercial training facilities (Iâl Restaurant, Iâl Bakery, Iâl Spa), esports programmes, and the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH) in partnership with Wrexham University. The college also operates the Hwb Arloesi Innovation Hub at Llysfasi focused on net-zero agricultural education. All offerings span diverse subject areas including agriculture, animal care, business, construction, digital technologies, engineering, health and social care, hospitality, motor vehicle, and more.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cambria Business School: Business education and professional development programs offering CIPD accredited courses
• Cambria University Centre
• Cambria for Business
• Advanced Skills Hub (ASH)
• Hwb Arloesi

Products and services

• College 16-18 Courses Full-time Further Education programmes for students aged 16-18 offering A Levels, GCSEs, vocational qualifications, and foundation learning across subject areas including agriculture, animal care, business, engineering, and health and social care.
• University Centre and Access to HE Higher education programmes and Access to Higher Education courses for learners seeking university-level qualifications, including degrees, HNCs, HNDs, and professional qualifications delivered via Cambria University Centre.
• Adults and Part-Time Courses Part-time and adult education courses covering professional development, vocational training, basic skills (English, Maths, Welsh language), and leisure learning across 30+ subject areas, including free Personal Learning Account (PLA) courses for eligible adults.
• Apprenticeships Work-based learning programmes combining on-the-job training with college study across multiple apprenticeship levels, connecting learners with employers across North Wales and North West England.
• Employer Training Services (Cambria for Business) Workforce development solutions for businesses including bespoke training programmes, apprenticeship recruitment support, and funding guidance delivered through the Cambria for Business brand.
• Advanced Skills Hub (ASH) Joint venture skills training service providing future-ready skills development for businesses and workforce across North East Wales and North West England.
• Hwb Arloesi Innovation Hub Net zero innovation hub at Llysfasi agricultural campus supporting agricultural education, innovation, and net-zero sustainability training, powered by solar panels and air source heat pumps.
• Esports Programme Esports courses offered at college and university level, with Cambria hosting the largest student cohort in Wales for esports.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,925 adult learners supported in 2024-25
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• DFN Project SEARCHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Partnership for supported internship programme launching September at Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor. Offers 6 intern places for young people with additional learning needs, rotating through hospital roles with tailored support from employability mentors and job coaches. Part of wider effort to create inclusive employment pathways in North Wales.
• Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Hospital hosting the DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme for young people with additional learning needs. Provides rotation opportunities through various hospital roles.
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Landmark Memorandum of Understanding to transform healthcare workforce recruitment, training, and retention across North Wales. Builds on successful Nurse Cadets programme (5 years) being expanded into specialist disciplines including orthopaedics, estates, and administration. Includes Welsh language training for nurses and industry-standard training facilities.
• Wrexham UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Joint venture to create North East Wales Skills Partnership, known as the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH), backed by significant Medr funding. New skills provider for businesses across Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and North West. Equips young people and existing workforce with future-ready skills, generating apprenticeships and job opportunities.
• British DressagemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Landmark partnership bringing the nationally recognized British Dressage apprenticeship to Wales for the first time. Strengthens equine provision at Coleg Cambria.
• PSG Academy UKsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Football academy partnership offering 'Open to All' football academy for students. Game-changing partnership for sports programs.
• The Savoy Educational TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to launch cutting-edge culinary kitchen for hospitality training. New era for culinary education at Coleg Cambria.
• Tilhill ForestrysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Forestry skills training programme partner. Supports forestry diploma students and workforce development in forestry sector.
• North Wales Tertiary Alliance (NWTA)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Alliance with leading institutions for tertiary education collaboration in North Wales.
• The Burnt Chef ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Global organization providing mental health education, guidance, and resources for hospitality industry. Coleg Cambria Work-based Learning Manager Kate Muddiman serves as North Wales Ambassador to champion mental health awareness.
• Groundwork North WalessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Contracted provider for North East Wales Adult Community Learning Partnership. Supported 1,925 unique adult learners in 2024-25 with courses spanning digital skills, cookery, DIY, woodworking, gardening, and family numeracy. Estyn praised for strategic approach.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Activate Learning: A UK further education and training group operating multiple colleges in England (notably Oxfordshire and Berkshire). Comparable in offering vocational, apprenticeship, and employer training programs but in a different geography and funding regime.
• New College Durham: A large English further education college offering a similar mix of academic, vocational, apprenticeship, higher education, and employer training provision. Useful peer for UK FE operating benchmarks outside Wales.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: A global education and assessment incumbent that delivers vocational qualifications, apprenticeship end-point assessment, and broader education services that intersect with Coleg Cambria's vocational and apprenticeship provision, though at much larger scale and different scope.

Direct peers

• Gower College Swansea: A Welsh further education college offering a similar portfolio of full-time academic courses, vocational pathways, apprenticeships, and employer training, competing for the same Welsh Government learner funding allocations.
• Bridgend College: A Welsh FE college delivering further education, higher education, apprenticeships, and employer training under the same Welsh Government funding regime and Estyn inspection framework.
• Cardiff and Vale College: One of the largest FE colleges in Wales, operating multiple campuses with a comparable mix of A Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and university-level provision funded through the same Welsh post-16 model.
• Grŵp Llandrillo Menai: The largest direct peer: another large Welsh further education college group operating across North Wales, offering similar A Levels, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education provision under the same Welsh Government funding regime.
• Coleg y Cymoedd: A major Welsh further education college in South Wales, offering an equivalent portfolio of academic, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education programs under the same Welsh Government funding and Estyn inspection framework.
• NPTC Group of Colleges: A multi-campus FE college group in South West Wales with overlapping academic, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education offerings under the same Welsh post-16 funding and regulatory regime.

Others

• Wrexham University: Joint venture partner in the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH) and a North Wales higher education provider. Comparable in mission and bilingual Welsh/English delivery, with overlapping degree and higher education programs via the Cambria University Centre pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/colegcambria
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ColegCambria
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColegCambria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/coleg-cambria
• Instagraminstagram.com/coleg_cambria
• TikToktiktok.com/@colegcambria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coleg Cambria