Plaid Cymru Leaders Endorse £10 Million Investment in Agricultural Education at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, leader of Plaid Cymru, visited Coleg Cambria Llysfasi this week to observe the effects of a substantial multi-million pound investment in agricultural education and rural skills development. He was accompanied by Llyr Gruffydd MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Rural Affairs, during the visit to the land-based campus.

The visit centred on the college’s £10 million Hwb Arloesi (Innovation Hub), a cutting-edge agricultural centre designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and skill enhancement across the farming sector. In addition to this, construction is progressing on a new 50-bedroom student accommodation block, which is being built by Read Construction. The development, designed by TACP Architects, will offer modern living spaces including en-suite bedrooms, social breakout areas, and communal zones aimed at enhancing student life and community interaction.

During their tour, the politicians explored the campus’s extensive facilities, including the operational farm, workshops, and the Innovation Hub. They also met with Elin Roberts, Head of Llysfasi Campus; Llinos Roberts, Director of Welsh Language Development; and students enrolled in land-based courses.

Rhun ap Iorwerth commented, “I’ve very much welcomed the opportunity to visit the new Hwb Arloesi at Coleg Cambria’s Llysfasi campus and meet the students who – thanks to the learning opportunities provided by Coleg Cambria – will be key to shaping the future of our farming communities.” He added, “Agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy here in Wales, and courses such as these on offer at Llysfasi are vital to ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.”

Llyr Gruffydd stated, “Llysfasi has long been a pioneering college for the agricultural community in this part of Wales and has continued to evolve and modernise to keep up with developments in the sector.” He further noted, “Hwb Arloesi is the latest example of that modernisation and it’s so important to enable the next generation to have the latest information and technology at their fingertips. We need to ensure that our youngsters have the skills necessary for the future.”

The visit underscored Llysfasi’s significant role in supporting rural communities and the regional economy by equipping learners with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for the future of farming.

Elin Roberts remarked, “It was a pleasure to welcome them and to showcase the scale of investment we are making in agricultural education.” She explained, “The Hwb Arloesi and our wider facilities provide learners with hands-on experience in a real working farm environment, combined with access to the latest technology and industry expertise. This ensures they are fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector.”

Llinos Roberts emphasised the importance of bilingual education, stating, “Bilingual education is vital to the future of our rural communities, academia and the agricultural industry.” She added, “At Coleg Cambria, we are proud to support learners to study and work in both Welsh and English, strengthening not only their career prospects but also the sustainability of the language within the sector and across rural Wales.”