“The Purlos system saved the college money on traditional communications, boosted enrolment numbers by re-engaging learners, and provided a modern, effective way to connect with applicants.”
— Phil Jones, Director of Learner Services and Marketing for Grwp Llandrillo Menai colleges.
Introduction to Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (GLLM)
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is one of the largest further education colleges in Wales, serving thousands of learners across North Wales. With a mission to support learners from diverse backgrounds and drive progression into further learning and employment, the college operates across multiple campuses with a focus on delivering excellence in education and learner experience.
The Challenge
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai was facing a significant challenge in managing and maintaining warm engagement with prospective learners during the critical admissions and enrolment period. Conversion rates were being impacted by difficulties in keeping candidates engaged, while staff were overwhelmed with repetitive queries, limiting their ability to focus on high-value tasks. The manual communication processes being used were no longer effective or scalable.
What was the platform that GLLM was using before Purlos?
Prior to using Purlos, GLLM used traditional letters and sending letters and postcards to remind learners, this was time consuming and costly. GLLM also used EBS ontrack to send text messages, however, this function did not allow the learner to re-engage and communicate with the college in the same way as WhatsApp messages in Purlos allow. GLLM also sent emails, however, many of our younger learners did not relate and did not like communicating via email.
Although GLLM still uses the traditional methods of communication outlined above, we have seen a significant increase in engagement by applicants and a higher rate of conversation from application to enrolment by introducing and embedding Purlos Engage into our learner journey communication process.
Why Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Decided to Partner with Purlos
With increasing pressure to meet enrolment targets and provide a seamless admissions experience, the team at GLLM recognised the need for a more intelligent and efficient approach to learner engagement. They were looking for a solution that could automate and streamline communications, while still maintaining a human touch. That’s when they turned to Purlos Engage – a professionally managed service designed to boost engagement and reduce staff workload through AI-driven messaging.
How Purlos Responded
Purlos worked closely with the GLLM team to implement Engage, an AI-powered conversational platform that automated communications with prospective learners across key stages of the journey — from missed applications to offer acceptance and induction. Over the past five years, and especially in the last three academic years, the collaboration has continuously evolved to improve campaign performance, drive higher conversion, and alleviate administrative burden on staff.
By automating thousands of learner queries and sending timely, personalised campaign messages, Engage ensured no learner was left behind – while allowing staff to redirect their efforts to more strategic work.
The Results
The results of the collaboration have been substantial. Over the past three years:
- Over 85 hours of staff time saved through automated responses over the last 2 years.
- 75% queries handled by Purlos AI assistant.
- Engagement for Offer-to-Acceptance campaigns rose to 61% in Feb 2025, from an average of 52% the previous year.
- The number of campaigns created increased from 13 to 17, showing growing adoption and innovation in messaging.
Table of Results
| Metric | 2023-2025 | 2025 and ongoing |
| Campaigns Created | 13 | 17 |
| Average Student Engagement for ‘Offer to Acceptance’ campaign | 52% | 61% (Feb), 56% (Mar), 48% (Apr) |
| Time Saved by Purlos AI | 78.16 hrs | 17.75 hrs |
Client Testimonial Quote
“The Purlos system saved the college money on traditional communications, boosted enrolment numbers by re-engaging learners, and provided a modern, effective way to connect with applicants”. By Phil Jones, Director of Learner Services and Marketing for Grwp Llandrillo Menai colleges.
Conclusion
The partnership between Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Purlos has transformed how the college engages with prospective learners. With intelligent automation and strategic campaign planning, GLLM has improved conversions, reduced operational strain, and delivered a more seamless learner experience. The college continues to lead the way in digital engagement in the post-16 education space — with Purlos as a trusted partner in their journey.