The College Alliance International Conference - Wrexham, Wales

The College Alliance is proud to host its next International Conference at Coleg Cambria, Wrexham, Wales, on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026.

Venue: Coleg Cambria, Yale Campus, Wrexham - Wales

Wednesday 28 January 2026
10:00 | Registration and networking
11:00 | Conference starts
17:30 | End of day one
19:30 | Drinks reception and dinner

Thursday 29 January 2026
08:30 | Registration and networking
09:00 | Start of day two
13:00 | Conference close

Dress Code: Smart Business Casual

View the latest programme View the attendee list

Seating plan for dinner - Wednesday 28 January

Overview

This two-day event will focus on the transformative role colleges play in tackling unemployment and supporting those furthest from opportunity — including NEETs and adults navigating transitions in work and life. With commitments across the four UK nations and the Republic of Ireland to tackle unemployment, social exclusion and to grow a skilled, inclusive workforce, the conference will explore the central role of colleges, working with others, in delivering this shared agenda.

We will consider how national systems can better enable colleges to support individuals of all ages to get sustainable work, and how to build the funding, policies, and partnerships required to drive meaningful and sustained impact. It will crucially explore how we bring together education, employment, health policies and agencies to better align to support people out of work, or at risk of being out of work.

Set within Coleg Cambria — a college deeply rooted in its community —the programme includes experiential student-led sessions, showcasing the energy and creativity of Coleg Cambria’s learners, while also highlighting how they are developing valuable skills for employment and a strong sense of community belonging. Featuring leading thinkers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the UK, Ireland, and beyond - we will examine not only what is working, but what more must be done to untap the role colleges can play to ensure that people can access good work and live healthy, prosperous lives.

Transportation and Parking

Taxis

Station Cars - 01978 363661
Wrexham Prestige Taxi - 01978 357777
Apollo Taxi - 01978 262626

Parking

The Waterworld car park at Bodhyfryd, Wrexham (LL13 8BG) is the nearest car park to Coleg Cambria - this is pay & display.

Free private parking is available on-site at the Ramada Plaza Wrexham, and no reservation is required. Parking at Coleg Cambria is limited, so
we strongly recommend using the free parking at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and taking advantage of the coach shuttle service to and from the venue.

Coach Shuttles

Coach shuttle transportation will operate throughout the conference between the conference venue - Coleg Cambria, and the Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Please refer to the shuttle timetable below. If you wish to use the shuttle service, please arrive at either the Ramada Plaza Hotel reception or the Coleg Cambria foyer at the designated meeting time. Coaches will depart promptly at the scheduled departure times.

Resources

DOWNLOAD THE FULL CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

• International Workshops Descriptions

• The College Showcase Descriptions

• Nation-Led Workshops

• Conference Menus

Network Evening Dinner

Checkout what table you are on

Lunch menus

Useful links and reading

You may find the following readings helpful in setting the context for the conference theme. These are optional and intended to support reflection rather than formal preparation.

• A short guide to education and skills across the four UK nations – Edge Foundation - a useful summary of the different systems across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
• The College of the Future’s publications - this work was commissioned by The College Alliance, and includes a series of reports from 2020-2022, including a vision for role colleges can play across people, productivity and place.
• Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: A Plan for Employability and Skills
  The Welsh Government’s most recent employability and skills strategy, which sets out long-term goals around reducing unemployment and inactivity, responding to labour market needs, and strengthening fair work and skills pathways.
• UK Government Get Britain Working White Paper (full policy document)
  This is the core policy framework setting out the new employment-focused reforms.
• No One Left Behind: Employability Strategic Plan 2024–2027
  Scotland’s current national employability strategy focuses on person-centred support, partnership working, and tackling inequalities in labour market participation. It sets priorities for devolved employment support services and how these join up with local partners.
• Youth Futures Foundation – Youth Employment 2025 Outlook (summary & PDF download)
• Eurofound NEETs – links to research on young people not in education, employment or training in the EU.
• OECD Youth Policy Toolkit - practical guidance on national youth policies covering employment, skills, inclusion, and governance:
  OECD (2024), OECD Youth Policy Toolkit, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/74b6f8f3-en