From Bakery to Big Stage as Skills Hub Takes Shape
10 Downing Street
A Wrexham apprentice baker’s trip to 10 Downing Street and a ministerial visit to Coleg Cambria highlight how local talent and training are gaining national attention.
Naomi Griffiths, a rising food influencer and apprentice at Coleg Cambria’s Iâl Bakery, was among the invited guests at a St David’s Day reception in London. The event brought together figures from politics, sport, business and the arts to celebrate Welsh culture and achievement. For Naomi, it marked a significant moment early in her career.
“I genuinely thought it was a joke at first,” she said. “I had to read the email a few times before it sank in. To be invited to Number 10 to represent Wales was such an incredible honour.”
Little Welsh Foodie
Around 120 guests attended, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside well-known names from Welsh sport and entertainment. The evening also showcased Welsh produce, with food and drink playing a central role in the celebrations.
Naomi has built a growing following through her Little Welsh Foodie platform, where she champions traditional recipes and local businesses. During the reception, she was even given the chance to capture behind-the-scenes content, offering her audience a rare look inside one of the UK’s most recognisable buildings.
“I’m still at the beginning of my career, so to be included alongside people I’ve looked up to for years was surreal,” she added. “It made me proud of how far I’ve come and of the support I’ve had from Coleg Cambria and the local community.”
Vikki Howells
Advanced Skills Hub
While Naomi’s experience reflects individual success, a separate visit to the college underlined the wider impact of education and training across the region.
Vikki Howells recently visited Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham to explore plans for the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH). The initiative aims to strengthen workforce development across north east Wales, linking education more closely with industry needs.
During her visit, the Minister met staff, learners and senior leaders, including representatives from Wrexham University. Discussions focused on technical education, employer partnerships and how the Hub will support future skills demand in key sectors.
“What I saw is a strong example of employer-led, regionally driven skills provision,” she said. “It was also valuable to speak with students and staff about the future of tertiary education.”
Medr
The Advanced Skills Hub is being developed in partnership with Wrexham University and funded by Medr. It will offer pathways from Level 2 to Level 7, including apprenticeships and workforce development opportunities. Importantly, it aims to address skills gaps while creating clearer routes into employment.
Leaders at the college stressed the importance of collaboration. By working closely with employers, they believe the Hub can deliver practical outcomes and long-term benefits for the region. Areas of focus will include digital technologies, green skills, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
A round-table discussion during the visit brought together learners at different stages of their education. They shared their experiences and ambitions, highlighting the role of hands-on learning and industry links in shaping career pathways.
The Hub is due to launch in September 2026 and is expected to serve businesses across Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and the wider North West.
Taken together, Naomi’s story and the development of the Advanced Skills Hub point to a clear theme. Local talent is not only being nurtured but also recognised on a much larger stage. At the same time, investment in skills and education is laying the groundwork for future success across the region.
For Wrexham, it is another sign that opportunity is building – from the classroom to the capital.
Feature image: Naomi (in black dress) listens to Sir Keir Starmer’s address
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