TWO leading colleges in Wrexham and Flintshire have announced they are to merge in a landmark deal.
Governors at Deeside College and Yale College, Wrexham yesterday agreed to begin a process that will lead to a merger by August 2013.
The new college – which will become one of the largest in the UK – will serve people across Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham.
It follows a merger between Deeside College and Northop College, formerly the Welsh College of Horticulture, in 2009, and Coleg Llysfasi in Denbighshire in 2010.
Yale College principal Jasbir Dhesi said: “A merger of equals will provide the opportunity for significant additional capital investment to further enhance the already outstanding resources across both colleges.”
There are no specific plans for a new college building but a comprehensive estates investment plan will be developed.
Potential jobs to be created and a cost estimate for the merger are yet to be announced.
Paul Williams, chairman of the governors at Deeside College, said: “We are absolutely delighted both colleges will be able to build on our existing partnership to provide an even better range of excellent courses for those who live and work in the North East Wales region.”
Carole O’Toole, chairman of the Yale College governing body, said: “The new college will continue to serve learners, stakeholders and the wider community with developing enhanced opportunities and choice in the curriculum. I look forward to the future and the establishment of the new college with confidence and enthusiasm.”
The decision to merge follows an independent options appraisal by the Association of Colleges.
Welsh Government education minister Leighton Andrews said: “Today’s announcement is a positive response by both colleges to our transformation agenda and the Welsh Government’s commitment to encourage further mergers of further education colleges.
“We want our further education institutions to provide high quality learning opportunities for our students and to have the capacity to redirect support and funding to front line services. I look forward to receiving the business case for my consideration in due course.”
Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said: “Deeside College and Yale College are two of the best colleges in the UK, and together they have the potential to play an even bigger part in delivering world class education and training for Wales.”