Latest news with #FlexibleSkillsProgramme
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Letter: Newport not at forefront of industrial revolution
It was mainly private money that was the impetus, not like the nationalisation and never-ending government subsidies that have continued and are still continuing since the end of the Second World War. Although I concede that of necessity, at that time governments had to be involved with the restart of the economy. I note that the Welsh Government has an investment, or should that be another subsidy, of £7.5 million in their Flexible Skills Programme (Argus 22nd May) for training courses. Why aren't companies training more apprentices instead of relying on the taxpayers to fund those schemes? Perhaps Jessica Morden and her fellow Labour politicians should start asking, although they might not hear the answers they want, bearing in mind the present occupiers of Westminster. Newport
Business News Wales
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Flexible Skills Programme Expands to Plug Skills Gap
Accredited training opportunities in Wales are set to see an almost six-fold increase in the amount of subsidy available. The Welsh Government increasing its investment in the Flexible Skills Programme from £1.3 million a year to more than £7.5 million. Support will be in place for employees to take advantage of thousands of individual places on upskilling or re-skilling training courses. The expansion follows increasing demand from Welsh employers for support to develop employees' skills in response to changing industries and new technologies. There will be a particular focus on supporting key sectors and needed skills such as Engineering and Manufacturing; Digital/Cyber; green skills; and leadership and management. Any employer can apply for the grant, which is designed to help businesses quickly respond to skills gaps with the Welsh Government paying 50% of business training costs (up to £50,000 per business per year). The expanded scheme was launched during Learning at Work week at IQ Endoscopes (IQE), a pioneering medical device startup that has seen first-hand what a difference the funding can make. IQE is about to place its first device onto the UK market – an affordable, sterile, and sustainable endoscope solution that will enable rapid early diagnosis to help reduce patient waiting times and help people live longer and healthier lives. The Flexible Skills Programme has enabled it to support over 170 individual technical or leadership and management training opportunities for its staff over the past two years. Gemma Banks, HR Manager at IQE said: 'Being a small company it can sometimes be hard to attract certain levels of experience and talent within the business, but we've been able to offer people additional training which has then meant we've covered a real skills gap and real need within the business at a pre-emptive time before it's become a problem.' Shaun O'Connell, an Engineering technician at IQE, recently completed CoSHH, ISH and Control of Hazardous Substances training through the programme. He said: 'The training has provided me with numerous opportunities to grow within my role and I'm now managing all the hazardous substances we use and ensuring the lab safety handbook is consistently up to date. It's made the lab much safer and a more effective place to work.' Skills Minister Jack Sargeant said: 'Having supported over 8,000 training interventions in the last two years, I am excited about the impact a greatly expanded Flexible Skills Programme could have in the future. 'The programme's success is down to our ambitious Welsh businesses investing in themselves to up skill their workforce. We are determined to do all we can to support their ambition and develop the skills needed for future success. 'As we prepare to host a major international investment summit in Wales later this year, the expanded scheme also strengthens our offer for companies looking to invest here.'
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government announces expansion of training programme
This brings their investment through the Flexible Skills Programme from £1.3 million a year to more than £7.5 million. The increased funding is intended to support employees with thousands of opportunities for upskill or reskill training courses. The aim is to fulfil the First Minister's ambition to create a future Wales driven by jobs and green growth. The focus will be on key sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, and digital/cyber, and includes critical skills like green skills, leadership and management. Employers across all sectors can apply for the grant, which is designed to quickly address skills shortages, with the Welsh Government paying 50 per cent of business training costs, capped at £50,000 per business per year. The expansion of the programme was announced at the beginning of Learning at Work week on May 12. Skills Minister Jack Sargeant said: "Having supported over 8,000 training interventions in the last two years, I am excited about the impact a greatly expanded Flexible Skills Programme could have in the future." "The programme's success is down to our ambitious Welsh businesses investing in themselves to upskill their workforce. "We are determined to do all we can to support their ambition and develop the skills needed for future success." The expansion will also serve to strengthen the government's offering to companies looking to invest in Wales, ahead of an international investment summit later this year.
