Novus Cambria awarded Learning and Skills contract for HMP Berwyn

An innovative partnership between Novus and Coleg Cambria has been awarded a contract by NOMS Wales to deliver Learning and Skills at HMP Berwyn, the new prison in Wrexham.

Novus Cambria is a joint venture between not-for-profit social enterprise Novus, which is the UK’s largest provider of education, training and employability programmes to offenders, and Coleg Cambria, one of the UK’s biggest colleges, with more than 7,000 full-time students and 20,000 part-time learners with international links. Novus is part of LTE group, the first integrated education and skills group of its kind, delivering its provision to more than 100,000 learners. Coleg Cambria was recently given the highest Estyn inspection grades of any college in Wales for its Further Education provision.  The college spans the whole of North East Wales with its headquarters in Wrexham, and is delighted that this contract will offer additional employment opportunities and make a valuable contribution to the local economy.  

John Thornhill, Director at Novus Cambria and CEO of LTE group, said: “Novus Cambria is delighted, proud and excited to have been awarded the Learning and Skills contract for the provision at HMP Berwyn. This presents us with the opportunity to support men at HMP Berwyn by providing them with the skills, qualifications and knowledge they need to find work upon release and lead crime-free lives.

“Rehabilitation and employability skills are absolutely key to our delivery in HMP Berwyn. We are excited about working closely with local and national employers and key stakeholders across North Wales, and our upcoming stakeholder events will be the ideal chance to discuss employment needs.

“We are also really looking forward to working with NOMS Wales and the HMP Berwyn team."

David Jones OBE, Director at Novus Cambria and CEO at Coleg Cambria said: 

“We are thrilled that Novus Cambria has been awarded the Learning and Skills contract for HMP Berwyn.  

“Coleg Cambria is deeply rooted in North East Wales and we are delighted that this brand new training partnership formed between the college and Novus brings together a high level of educational and skills excellence that will further enhance opportunities in education, training and employment in the Wrexham area.

“Our vision is that the prison will be a learning establishment with a clear, recognisable culture where innovative learning opportunities are embedded across the prison environment and the men encouraged and assisted to prepare for a fresh start in life.”
John Thornhill added:

“Improving a person’s chance of finding meaningful employment on release plays a key role in rehabilitation, so we will encourage learners to develop the skills that will give them the best possible opportunity to gain employment on release – mirroring the work Novus already does across the UK.

“Novus Cambria will ensure that it is at the heart of the community, bringing jobs and opportunities to North-East Wales.”