Working at Coleg Cambria

Two people sat down in the Cambria Business School in Northop chatting and drinking hot drinks
About us

We are one of the largest Further Education Colleges in the UK, with a recent ‘glowing’ report from Estyn. We are proud to call ourselves an award-winning college, and over the last few years, we have won many awards – as students, staff and our college as a whole.

Located across the Cheshire/North Wales border, the college can offer you easy access from within North Wales, Shropshire, Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire. We currently employ over 1300 colleagues from many different geographical locations. We offer learning right through from entry level to Higher Education and work in partnership with top universities and over 1000 employers.

If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, apply today!

Visit our careers portal for all live vacancies

See what our collegues say

Darren Pleavin
Curriculum
Director

Currently, I am the Curriculum Director at Coleg Cambria. Through my participation in the Coleg Cambria Inspiring Leaders course, I was promoted to this position.

My journey began in 2011 when I enrolled as a mature student in an evening Level 2 Joinery course. The support and experience I gained gave me the confidence to pursue a Degree in Architectural Design and Technology. In 2016, I joined Coleg Cambria as an Instructor Demonstrator, driven by my newfound appreciation for education and the desire to support others.

Progressing further, I was promoted to the role of lecturer and entrusted with delivering HE Technical Construction due to my qualifications and experience. Overcoming the challenges posed by dyslexia, I completed my PGCE with support from the college’s ALN department.

Though it may sometimes shake my confidence, it hasn’t hindered my opportunities for personal development and growth within the college.

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Lisa Radcliffe
Assistant Principal for Technical Studies

I came to a staff recruitment event at Deeside because I wanted a change of scene from after being in my last position for six years. What then really attracted me to Coleg Cambria at the event was the focus on inclusivity. I met other staff and managers there and everyone seemed friendly and welcoming. I was very open about being neurodivergent (Dyslexic, Dyspraxic, Autistic and ADHD) and I was reassured that the college was a safe space for all staff, including those with additional needs. Once I’d applied for my role, I was contacted about any reasonable adjustments I would need for the interview process, and some I hadn’t thought of were even suggested to me based on things I’d said. This was really helpful, as not only was I then on an even footing with other applicants, it also made it clear that Cambria knew what they were talking about when it came to supporting staff. I was also given clear time frames on when to expect information and outcomes, and given opportunities to come to the college for visits before and after interview so I could get used to the new environment.
 
I started in August 2023 and one of the first people I met was Miranda who is one of the ASSCC team – here to help staff with additional support needs. She helped me settle in (change can be hard for me) and was able to support me with expressing some of the challenges I face in a regular work environment, which in turn meant I was able to do my job to the highest standards. My manager can also access AASCC if she needs advice, guidance or training specific to managing me effectively. When reasonable adjustments need to be in place to help me to be the best that I can be, the support is there, not just from ASSCC, but from managers and colleagues too. It’s a very open environment. I’ve never once felt judged or that being neurodivergent is a negative for me being a teacher. People here recognise the added value of neurodivergence in teaching and the benefits it offers to the college as a whole, but especially the students and how it enhances their learning journey.
 
There are so many benefits to working at Coleg Cambria that I just didn’t know I could have in a teaching role. All staff are encouraged to embrace agile working, which is massive for me, because I can manage my workload more effectively, doing the tasks I need peace and quiet for at home then being onsite for the tasks where I need to collaborate and of course, when I teach. It also means I can get some regulation time into my week, allowing me to manage my mental wellbeing effectively. I’m encouraged to be my true self at work, so I’m less tired because I don’t need to mask being neurodivergent. My desk is littered with fidgets and little tubes of bubbles for those moments when I need to really focus and concentrate, or for when I need time out for a minute or two! At Cambria, work/life balance isn’t just a phrase. It’s really promoted and encouraged.
 
Since starting here, I’ve joined the Lived Experience Panel, which is a unique staff committee designed to make the college more inclusive for staff and students. I’ve also been encouraged to speak up, sharing my ideas and skills to help enhance our department and impact wider college policies, such as being invited to join the AI and Digital Curriculum Sub Group. This is huge, as it’s made me feel really valued. I am not seen as just an ESOL teacher, all of my additional skills are recognised and developed too. Although, I think my manager is starting to dread the conversations that I start with the words, “I’ve had a genius idea…”.
 
One thing that did worry me was that my Welsh language skills were limited, but at Cambria, we have an online learning platform for Welsh and we have a range of free classes for staff either in person or online from beginners up.
 
I would say that what has really had the greatest impact on me since joining Coleg Cambria, is the freedom to be myself. I have thrived since starting here, because I know I don’t have to hide my creativity, passion, empathy and all the other things that make me loud. I can communicate with people naturally. I can be open about who I am, and what I can do. I am happier at work because of that, which then means my students have a better learning experience and my home life is better too.
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Andrew Laurence

Andrew Laurence
WBL Practictioner

My journey started whilst on an AET course at Coleg Cambria where I met some assessors who were also on the course. Their enthusiasm and contentment in their roles inspired me therefore I eagerly joined the College when a similar role opened up.

I have now worked at Coleg Cambria for 6 years and I find the best part of my job is the freedom to provide personalised support to learners, helping them on their unique journeys and achieving their goals. Coleg Cambria’s inclusive culture ensures unwavering support, enabling me to be part of positive changes within the college.

Working here has been rewarding both professionally and personally. I appreciate the commitment Coleg Cambria shows to its staff and learners, providing practical assistance and connecting me with valuable resources. It’s a privilege to contribute to the college’s ongoing success and make a difference in the lives of our learners.

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Rebekah McEvoy
Lecturer in Art & Design

I have been employed by Coleg Cambria for 1.5 years, working in the Foundation Learning department at Yale.

As an Art and Design lecturer, I have the privilege of supporting learners’ creativity and curiosity through a diverse learning experience encompassing digital and traditional methods. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the progress and growing confidence of the learners throughout the year, with many advancing to higher levels within the college.

Our team collaborates closely to meet the educational and vocational needs of the learners, providing comprehensive support within the college environment. The culture at Coleg Cambria is characterised by its positive and progressive nature. The management and colleagues offer exceptional support, creating an enriching, positive, and supportive learning environment. 

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Nicky Holland

Nicky Holland
Learner Data Services Administrator

I have worked at Coleg Cambria for over 18 years now after finding my way to the role after working in administration and seeking a new adventure.

Enrolment time and supporting learners and staff during induction are my favourite parts of the job. Our LDS team has a great reputation for being approachable, supportive, and successful in serving learners, colleagues, and customers and I’m proud to be part of it.

What stands out at Coleg Cambria is the positive culture. It’s a flexible and supportive workplace that encourages professional development. With a Christmas shutdown and lunchtime activities like circuit class or yoga, the college promotes well-being and work-life balance. It’s a great place to work and grow.

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Tiffany Johnson
HR Advisor

I am currently the HR Advisor for the Institute of Technology and People Experiences at Coleg Cambria. I chose to join the college due to its stellar reputation and the opportunity it provided to make a meaningful difference using my skills.

Starting as a HR Administrator, I quickly recognized the growth potential within Coleg Cambria. Within just six months, I was promoted to my current role, affirming the college as a place where I can continually develop my career.

The college’s commitment to fostering talent has been instrumental in my journey. I am grateful for the professional growth opportunities Coleg Cambria offers and the chance to contribute to its success.

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Claire Colley

Claire Colley
Lecturer In Learn English

I came to a staff recruitment event at Deeside because I wanted a change of scene after being in my last position for six years. What really attracted me to Coleg Cambria was the focus on inclusivity. I met other staff and managers who all seemed friendly and welcoming. I was open about being neurodivergent (Dyslexic, Dyspraxic, Autistic and ADHD) and felt reassured that the college is a safe space for staff with additional needs.

Once I applied, I was contacted about reasonable adjustments for the interview. Some were even suggested to me based on things I’d said, which really helped put me on an even footing with other applicants. It was clear Cambria knew how to support staff. I was also given clear time frames and opportunities to visit before and after the interview so I could get used to the environment.

I started in August 2023 and one of the first people I met was Miranda from the ASSCC team, here to help staff with additional support needs. She helped me settle in and supported me in expressing some of the challenges I face at work, which meant I could do my job to the highest standards. My manager can also access ASSCC for advice or training on managing me effectively. The support is there from ASSCC, managers and colleagues too. It’s a very open environment and I’ve never once felt judged – being neurodivergent is seen as a strength.

There are so many benefits to working at Coleg Cambria I didn’t know were possible in a teaching role. Agile working is encouraged, which is huge for me. I can work quietly at home or collaborate onsite depending on the task, and this flexibility helps me manage my mental wellbeing. I’m encouraged to be my true self – I don’t need to mask. My desk is full of fidgets and bubbles to help me regulate and focus. Work/life balance isn’t just a phrase here – it’s genuinely promoted.

What has really had the greatest impact on me since joining Coleg Cambria is the freedom to be myself. I’ve thrived here, because I don’t have to hide my creativity, passion, empathy and all the other things that make me loud. I can communicate naturally, share ideas confidently and be open about who I am. I feel respected and trusted. I’m happier at work, which makes me a better teacher – and life at home is better too.

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