Skills for Industry is an exciting new project aimed at the businesses and voluntary sector organisations of Swansea and South West Wales. The project will provide more than £15m for training and up-skilling of the workforce of the region over the next four years.

The project was launched by Jeff Cuthbert AM, Deputy Minister for Skills, on October 13 at Sketty Hall. He emphasised the importance of the project to the economy of the region stating that, “Skills development

of the workforce is a key priority of the Welsh Government.”

Aimed at assisting up to 2,250 businesses, the Skills for Industry scheme will provide a strategic approach to raising skill levels and tackling skills gaps and shortages in

key sectors of the labour market. It will also offer staff accredited qualifications up to and including NVQ Level 3, as well as short courses to boost performance and progression in employment.

“Skills for Industry brings together all of the Further Education colleges in the region - Gower College Swansea, Neath Port Talbot College, Coleg Sir Gar and Pembrokeshire College - in a strategic alliance working together to meet the skills needs of enterprises,” said Gill Davies, Regional Project Director.

The four colleges will work closely together to meet the training needs of employers, including SMEs and social enterprises, with support focused on those operating within specific sectors across South West Wales, including manufacturing, construction, automotive, engineering, financial and professional services, care and tourism. Training is available at Levels 2/3, can be delivered in the workplace and will concentrate on business needs - although it does have to be accredited through a recognised awarding body.

“One of the most effective ways to improve business performance is to invest in your existing staff,” adds Gill. “This provides them with excellent training opportunities that are tailored to individual and business priorities. Staff become more confident and they are able to progress through the

£15m skills boost for South West Wales workforce

organisation - impacting on the bottom line, growing the business, creating more jobs and having a positive effect on the local and regional economy.

“Skills for Industry will assist employers and enterprises in adapting to economic change by raising the skills levels and qualifications of their employees. We welcome the EU funding that has been awarded to this project which will benefit the South West Wales economy.”

The project is funded through the European Social Fund Convergence Programme delivered through the Welsh Government and is therefore available to eligible companies at a very small financial contribution. In addition, the project aims to assist enterprises in developing their employee equality and diversity strategies.Current discussions with enterprises are focussed on NVQs in Health and Social Care, Engineering and Business Administration and other possibilities include Logistics, Environmental and Information Technology courses.

For more information contact the Skills for Industry Regional Project Team on 01792 284054 or SFI@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk.

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert AM, said: “Investing in skills is vital for the success and growth of key sectors in the South West Wales area. A workforce with the relevant skills is essential to drive forward performance and productivity. I am delighted that we have been able to back this initiative with EU funding to deliver maximum economic benefits for the region.”

“Each of the colleges are now speaking to employers to identify their training needs and the race is on to be the first company to enrol for the project!”

Mark Hendy from Walter Energy Western Coal, one of the companies expected to take part in the initiative, said: “We are delighted to be working with Gower College Swansea through the Skills for Industry project. The training delivered will assist the company by increasing the skills levels of our employees and helping us to meet the challenges and demands of the current economic environment.”

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2. Godfrey Pullen, Nicola Thornton-Scott & Julian Tyler 3. Vicky Nedin & Sian James 4. Katherine David, David Notley & Gill Davies 5. David Evans, Peter Rees & Mike Glover 6. Simon Jenkins & Nicky Howells 7. Carolyn Williams & Phillip Tristram 8. Tilly Mobbs, Mike Greenway & Gaynor Richards 9. Emma Roome & Anna Bastik

1. Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert AM

David Evans, Barry Liles, Gill Davies, Jeff Cuthbert AM, Nick Bennett, Colin Cornelius & Mark Dacey

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