Welcome to Medrwn | a people development programme providing free or highly subsidised training tailored to local tourism needs.

The MEDRWN Programme has followed on from the success of the 2001 Powys based Anticipation project which was an Objective 3, European Social Funded (ESF) programme. Medrwn has been developed to take it a step further, assisting tourism businesses throughout Mid Wales encompassing the Objective 1 areas of Ceredigion and Meirionnydd.

The Tourism Training Forum for Wales was successful in securing Objective 1 & 3 funding from ESF. Along with our main funding partner Tourism Partnership Mid Wales the programme secured contributions from the Local Authorities of Powys, Ceredigion and Gwynedd, and is delivered in partnership with the Tourism Training Forum for Wales.

The programme, funded for two years has been developed by the industry and key stakeholders in the region. It forms part of the HRD action plan for Tourism in Mid Wales, to provide new skills and knowledge, to improve the overall visitor experience of Mid Wales and ensure the industry becomes more competitive.

Forming an essential part of the Tourism Partnership Mid Wales Human Resource Development Strategy, the programme is aimed at any small to medium business (SMEs) that impact on tourism, be that a retail outlet, leisure and hospitality, and accommodation providers. It will encourage all staff, whether full-time, part-time, seasonal or casual to participate within the project.

Medrwn was developed and the team of four were securely in place back in September 2004. Employed by TTFW, the HRD Co-ordinator and European Administrator base themselves in the offices of TPMW in Machynlleth and the South Powys & Ceredigion facilitator is based in Brecon. For Meirionnydd and North Powys, the contract to deliver Medrwn was awarded to Cymad, a rural development company, widely experienced in working in rural Wales and responsible for managing a wide range of initiatives over the past eight years. The facilitator covering this area is based in their offices in Porthmadog.

Medrwn was officially launched on 25th February 2005 at Coleg Powys by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Presiding Officer to the National Assembly for Wales.


	Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas		He said "Tourism is an Integral part of the economic fabric of a modern dynamic Wales. If we are to compete on a global stage we need to ensure that visitors enjoy a high quality experience, as well as our wonderful landmarks, countryside, coastline, food, people and culture. I welcome this new initiative and hope that it will help tourism in Wales to flourish."


	Dee Reynolds, Regional Strategy Director, TPMW said: "Tourism generates in excess of £333m into the local economy of Mid Wales and provides over 11,000 jobs. Tourism is helping communities across Mid Wales to grow and develop, and Medrwn will assist in helping provide long term solutions to assist in sustaining the tourism industry within the region. "Medrwn is just one of many projects managed by TPMW in its role of developing and promoting tourism throughout Mid Wales. More and more people are now holidaying in Mid Wales – by working together we can make sure they want to return time and time again!" Attended by over 40 guests, the launch was superbly hosted by Coleg Powys who provided exceptional facilities to accommodate the day. The students beautifully prepared and served the first class lunch of local welsh produce as well as assisting in the administration and hosting of the event. Their contribution was invaluable."


	Students of Coleg Powys serve a "feast" left to right; Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas, Diana James, Director TTFW, Gwawr Price Medrwn Co-ordinator and Dee Reynolds Regional Stratergy Director TP-MW.		Gwawr Price said: "Coleg Powys is an ideal local venue for the launch for a number of reasons. It is central for Mid Wales, easily accessibly and the quality of the venue and parking are excellent. It has also given the students the opportunity to obtain first hand experience of preparing and carrying out an event. The work carried out by the students, before and during the launch will help them achieve some of their NVQ units towards their final qualifications. It is not only the catering students that are being used, but the business administration students have assisted with the preparation of literature and welcoming guests. Medrwn is about learning and developing and the theme fits nicely with Coleg Powys. The guests at the launch will have first hand experience of the talents that we are nurturing within the area for the future."