Overview of Skills Issues in North Wales

IWAN THOMASRegional Skills & Employment Coordinator

On behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambitions Board

 

The Economic Ambition Board

• Consensus amongst partners to provide the basis for

clear, strong and focused direction

• Stronger emphasis on delivery within key priority areas

• Cross sector representation to reflect the needs of the

regional economy

• Involvement by the private sector is key to providing a

rounded approach

 

Priority Programme AreasEnergy & Environment

Advanced ManufacturingDestination North Wales

• ‘Skills & Employment’, ‘Infrastructure’, and ‘Procurement’, are items which underpin each of the above

 

Regional Plan -does one size fit all?• Acknowledgement of diversity within the

region

• Sub-regional culture

• Local priorities

• Underpinned by commonalities which all can share

 

Our current and future target market

• Currently 123,684 young people aged 0-15 in North Wales (17.9%)

• Currently 75,638 young people aged 16-24 in North Wales (10.95%)

 

Your Future Workforce…?• Academic achievement in North Wales

continues to increase and exceed the Welsh average

• How do we support, develop and retain this talent?

Academic Year 2011-12 / Welsh average 51.1%

Source: North Wales Economic Observatory / Welsh Government, 2012

 

EU Funding opportunities…?• The current Economic Framework document

for skills and employment focuses on:• Pre-employment

– Young people in education & training (incl. NEETS)– Unemployed and economically inactive

• In-employment– Those currently in employment with skills needs and wishing to

progress

• Underpinned by engagement with the private sector to tailor skills to employer needs

 

Economic Opportunities – Skills Needs?

• New Wylfa powerstation• Wind & marine power developments• Gwynt y Mor• Holyhead waterfront development• Surf Snowdonia• Colwyn Bay regeneration• Llandudno hotel investments

 

Economic Opportunities – Skills Needs?

• Rhyl regeneration• 21st Century Schools• Northern Gateway development within

Deeside Enterprise Zone• North Wales Energy from Waste facility• North Wales Advanced Manufacturing Skills &

Technology Park

 

Economic Opportunities – Skills Needs?

• Hydro Electric Scheme Llanberis• Pwllheli Sailing Academy• Caernarfon by-pass• New Wrexham Prison• New housing and business units

 

Issues to be addressed?• Employability skills of our young people• More coordinated exposure to employers and

work experience• Promotion of regional and local economic

priorities• More coordinated employer engagement with

schools, colleges and universities aligned with above

• Mapping of future opportunities to help inform curriculum planning

 

The Regional Plan• 12 month timeline• Engagement with public and private sector • Endorsement once complete, by the North

Wales Economic Ambition Board• To be used/adopted by regional partners as a

guide and evidence base going forward• Revisited and updated as required• Supporting partners & the regional economy

 

Diolch yn fawr / Thank you

IWAN THOMASRegional Skills & Employment Coordinator

On behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambitions Board

IwanThomas@gwynedd.gov.ukIwan.Thomas@dataunitwales.gov.uk