Page 40 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan 2019

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Apprenticeships & Provision
The majority of businesses within this sector do not employ apprentices at 62%. When asked why this was the case, the majority indicated that ‘frameworks not meeting business needs’ as the most prolific issue (51%). This was followed by an ‘uncertainty around the process in offering one’ (27%).
Cluster group representatives indicated that they feel Apprenticeships have become supply driven with providers on occasion delivering content according to the skills base available to them and not necessarily to the needs of the employer. It is felt that the quality of assessors and lecturers is indicative of the lower salaries offered in comparison with those offered in the private sector. This has a direct effect on the ability of the profession to attract highly skilled individuals with the industry experience needed to provide added value to the delivery of the qualification.
The Enhanced Engineering Programme is the preferred qualification by industry over other Engineering related full time further education provision. Its main attraction is the fact that learners are taught all day for five days a week in comparison with the standard full time course hours which total on average sixteen hours per week. Industry feels that all learners should have the opportunity to undertake the Enhanced Engineering Programme and as a result experience the level of teaching that goes with it.
Brexit
Increased costs are a consideration for many business (50%) operating within this sector, with exporting/ importing difficulties (50%) also being reported by many. 26% of respondents indicated that Brexit would not cause any challenges for them moving forward. The loss of staff and skills was only reported by 11% and 9% respectively.
Welsh Language
The Welsh language does not appear to be important to business operations within the sector, having only been reported as a skills challenge by one respondent. Further discussion with employers indicated that whilst it is agreed that the language is positive for culture, identity and creating a sense of place it is not essential to the day to day activities of the industry.
It was agreed that there is no demand for bilingual or Welsh language provision but rather further focus should be given to developing the English written and oral skills of learners as these are skills employers feel many are lacking.
Priority
Ensure that funding is allocated based on the needs of employers, focussing on;
• industry specific training,
• increasing the number of STEM learning pathways at all levels,
• improving basic skills,
• expanding the use of apprenticeships,
• promoting careers in engineering and STEM related industries.
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales
Sector Profiles