BOUYGUES UK AND CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LAUNCH PENTRE AWEL 21ST CENTURY SKILLS WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

Carmarthenshire County Council and Bouygues UK have launched a Pentre Awel 21^st Century skills work experience scheme to empower learners from local schools about careers in construction and design.

The scheme, which was launched at Parc y Scarlets, is in partnership with five local schools: Ysgol Bryngwyn School; Ysgol Coedcae School; Ysgol Penrhos School; St John Lloyd RC Comprehensive; and Ysgol Y Strade. It represents collaborative working to inspire young learners for their future and improve their knowledge of career pathways and universal skills which are needed within the workplace.

Pentre Awel is a fantastic opportunity to widen the horizons of young learners of Llanelli, developing attitudes and behaviours that will help them succeed in their future. Throughout the construction of Zone 1, Bouygues UK will play a vital role in co-designing and providing the industry context that will offer meaningful learning experiences for students.  The scheme will offer transformative and curriculum experiences, partnering with Bouygues UK’s professional experts to create an Enquiry Project for Learners on areas within Design and Construction.

Nina Williams, Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for Pentre Awel, said: “This is a radical approach to careers and work-related experiences for schools. The project will also empower schools to build future relationships with industries, utilising the knowledge and experience of professionals to enhance and develop their knowledge base which can be applied in their future curriculum design.”

Cllr. Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Pentre Awel is a key strategic regeneration project for Carmarthenshire County Council which brings together a combination of elements covering Business, Academia, Health, care, and our community. Working with our young people is critical in the success of this project and I welcome this great opportunity to give them a unique insight into the construction industry here in our County.”

As part of Bouygues UK’s commitment to provide significant social value and engagement to surrounding schools, colleges and universities, there is also a school ambassadors scheme. Bouygues UK is keen for the children to share their ideas and help shape the project, which in turn will enable them to see first-hand the work that goes into the construction process. The children will make regular visits to the site to see the progress being made and will work on school projects centred around construction and building.

The 21^st Century Skills initiative is part of a broader programme of community benefits to be delivered during the development of Zone 1 of Pentre Awel to realise social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. This includes targeted recruitment and training, community engagement (such as community ambassadors), STEM activities and supply chain engagement.

The prestigious and innovative, multi-million-pound development which is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council is the largest regeneration scheme in South West Wales. It will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline.

The development will include a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and hydrotherapy pool together with education, research and business development space; a clinical research and delivery centre; and a well-being skills centre. Externally, Pentre Awel will enjoy landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, walking and cycling.

The truly collaborative scheme is being delivered for the local community by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and colleges and is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million). It aims to create around 1,800 jobs over 15 years and boost the local economy by more than £450m.