A column from Jane Hutt:

This week I received an update from Cardiff and Vale College who now offer more than 600 courses across their campuses and now offer fee remission on nearly all courses for those unemployed and/or low income families in receipt of benefits.

This is their biggest ever range of part-time and professional courses to give more employed and unemployed adults the opportunity to boost their careers, to learn flexibly and for free.

In a year when many have faced financial challenges, the College, with the support of the Welsh Government, is enabling more adults to learn and gain professional qualifications for free.

Cardiff and Vale College also offers several courses that are free to all adults whether unemployed or employed.

These include Adult Basic Education (English, Maths and IT) and English for Speakers of Other Languages courses, up to and including Level 1.

The College recently received the prestigious TES FE Award for Support for learners.

The College has expert teams of specialist staff, available to support the wellbeing of all students and remove all barriers possible for each student to get the most out of their time at college.

While all students are undertaking some online learning, the College has put in place a virtual helpdesk available to support students to access learning at home.

I am proud to sponsor the ReStart Refugee Integration Project, managed by Cardiff and the Vale College and involves other colleges throughout Wales. This Welsh Government scheme which provides mentoring, employment training and language learning opportunities for refugees in Wales.

Since the project started in June 2019 more than 5,000 ESOL assessments have been completed and more than 700 refugees have received integration support.

The current project funds the four hubs in the key dispersal areas of Wales as well as community outreach.

For more information visit www.cavc.ac.uk or contact info@cavc.ac.uk.