Page 72 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan 2019

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The vast majority (75%) of businesses indicated that they are not aware of the funding programmes in existence to support with training. There is clearly a need to increase efforts to promote these opportunities to businesses operating in Mid Wales. The use of some of these funding programmes could alleviate some of the challenges and pressures caused by the perceived lack of traditional FE course offered within the area.
Apprenticeships
24% of the respondents employ Apprentices, these are mostly in manufacturing, construction and engineering at level 2.
Those that do not, most commonly cited that ‘apprenticeship frameworks do not meet the needs of the business’ (50%), followed by ‘unsure of the process in relation to offering one’.
Apprenticeship delivery could alleviate much of the issues highlighted by employers around work readiness and the lack of practical skills. This is especially important in an area which experiences the unique challenges that Mid Wales does around recruitment and training. It is essential therefore that further activity is undertaken to further understand the barriers faced and to work with relevant stakeholders to address these issues.
Brexit
As we have seen previously with other specific industries and in South West Wales as a whole, ‘increased costs’, ‘exporting/importing difficulties’ and ‘funding’ are the main considerations for businesses in relation to Brexit.
The majority of respondents to the survey from Mid Wales align to the Food and Farming sector which is one of those sectors identified as most at risk in terms of Brexit.
The main considerations include:
• Relatively low proportion of its population were born in the EU at 2.93%. Ceredigion and Powys have quite contrasting levels of EU born residents at 4% and 2.31% respectively.
• Both local authorities have below average levels of vulnerability, however Ceredigion exhibits very high levels of employment in elementary occupations and both areas have fairly low incomes which could present risk post Brexit.
• The region has a very high level of employment in the ‘Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing’ sectors at 6% which is considerably greater than the Welsh average at 1.1%. This is one of the most ‘at risk’ sectors.
Welsh Language
Welsh language skills were reported as a challenge for 12% of respondents. These skills challenges are especially prevalent in the Health and Social Care sector and there is demand from employers to see conversational Welsh training built into FE and WBL provision already in existence.
Sectors such as Manufacturing do not see the Welsh language as being an essential for them in relation to the day to day operation of their business.
Priority
The post-16 offer in the region needs to be improved utilising innovative means. This includes offering new courses in line with the needs of industry but also progression routes need to be improved and promoted.
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales
Sector Profiles