£144 million investment in 52,000 apprenticeships

A £144 million EU and Welsh Government investment to fund over 50,000 apprenticeships in Wales has been announced by the First Minister, Carwyn Jones.

The investment will fund 52,000 apprenticeships in West Wales and the Valleys over the next four years, with the majority of places targeted at 16-24 year olds.

Apprenticeships in Wales allow people to earn a wage and develop their skills with an employer while also accessing formal training from one of an approved network of providers.

The confirmation of £73m in EU funding this week along with substantial Welsh Government investment will cover a range of traditional and non-traditional areas including construction, engineering, IT and retail.  Each apprentice will have the opportunity to study qualifications from foundation level to advanced level.

The First Minister made the announcement at the Wales Forum on Europe event in Cardiff which is aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of EU membership, including the EU’s new Investment Package for jobs and growth.

Further funding for apprenticeships is expected to be announced over the coming weeks.

West Wales and Valleys areas include Conwy, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen.

The First Minister said:

“This substantial investment will support over 50,000 young people in their career progression, helping them achieve advanced qualifications while working and earning at the same time.

“We expect to announce further investment in other aspects of our apprenticeships programme in the coming weeks but this initial funding for West Wales and the Valleys is excellent news, and demonstrates our commitment to boosting the economy while ensuring our young people have the skills they need to succeed.”

Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt, said:

“Over £2 billion of EU funds will be invested in Wales over the next five years to support and underpin sustainable economic growth and jobs.

“Backed by £73 million of EU funds, this significant investment in apprenticeships is an excellent example of how EU funds are increasing skills within the Welsh economy and improving the career and earning prospects of thousands of people in Wales.”

Deputy Minister for Skills, Julie James said:

“Today’s announcement is excellent news for both young people and employers.

“Not only will this  £144m investment help our young people to gain the skills, experience and qualifications they need to succeed in the workplace, it will also help to build  local skill levels and provide our employers with the workforce they need to thrive in a modern and increasingly skills based economy.”

One person who is already benefitting from the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship scheme is 19 year old Sion Brook. He said:

“I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. Not only is it helping me to develop all the skills I need to be a good bricklayer, it has also really built up my confidence.

“I’m actually on a shared apprenticeship which means I work with a number of different local companies and as a result I have made some really good contacts within the building trade.

“I completed Level 2 of my NVQ last year and will finish Level 3 this July. Hopefully then I’ll be in a good position to find a permanent job with one of the local companies I have trained with.”