Regional Learning Partnership holds Annual Event

MORE than 150 key education and regeneration representatives from across south west Wales came together to mark the Regional Learning Partnership’s Annual Event in Llanelli.

The event – themed ‘A Vision for Quality for South West Wales; Economy, Education and Skills’ – was held in the Parc y Scarlets stadium, on September 28.

Its aim was to showcase the achievements of the Partnership to-date and set out the key areas to inform its future delivery across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea.

The Minister for Education and Skills – Leighton Andrews AM – opened the event, which was the second to be held, and discussed the role and benefits and future opportunities for the Partnership within the collaborative agenda.

Addressing attendees, the Minister said: “You are making significant progress through your Regional Learning Partnership. These are big changes, but this is the right agenda and right approach.”

A number of exhibitors from within the region – representing the private, public and voluntary sectors – were in attendance as well as notable speakers and facilitators within the various workshops.

The RLP is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) – through the Welsh Government – and other domestic sources, works with Local Authorities, Higher Education and Further Education Institutions, the Third Sector and Work-Based Learning providers.

It also has links with the private sector through the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, alongside key partners such as Careers Wales West, JobCentre Plus and NIACE Dysgu Cymru.

For further details about the partnership call 01554 742430, email vawilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or visit www.rlpsww.org.uk.

Picture Captions

Pictured are Carmarthenshire County Council’s Director of Regeneration and Leisure and RLP Strategy Group Chairman Dave Gilbert, the Minister for Education and Skills Leighton Andrews AM with the Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) Regional Co-ordinator for South West Wales Sara Harvey and Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning in Neath Port Talbot CBC and RLP Steering Group Chairman Karl Napieralla at the RLP Annual Event.

(L-r) Regional Network Provider Advocate Beverley Wilson-Smith, who is based with the Regional Learning Partnership, in Llanelli, with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Head of Economic Development Wendy Walters and the Head of Research and Development at the University of Wales Trinity St David Jennie Evans at the RLP Annual Event.