Page 88 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan 2019

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This initiative is a strong indicator of the current and future jobs which will be created as a result of this proj- ect. Consideration should therefore be given to ensure that STEM related career pathways in further and higher education are meeting the skills needs of this project. Wider economic impacts will be felt when busi- nesses grow as a result of capitalising on the opportunities offered through Beacon+, especially now that Beacon+ works with businesses pan Wales.
Helix101
Project HELIX is a Welsh Government and EU-funded Project, operating pan Wales. The project is delivered by Food Innovation Wales, which is a partnership of three food centres based in Cardiff, Ceredigion and Anglesey.
This initiative develops and delivers academic and practical knowledge transfer activity focused on food innovation, food efficiency and food strategy to increase production and see waste reduction in the food chain.
The key objective of Project HELIX has been to support, through knowledge transfer, food and drink producers and manufacturers overcome barriers to growth by providing easy access to both practical and academic support.102
According to a report by IFST released July 2018, project Helix contributed £44 million to the economy within its first two years in operation, having supported 92 new businesses, supported in developing 203 new products and creating 147 new jobs, whilst safeguarding 869 jobs. This investment in food and drink have already created jobs, which highlights the immediate need to nurture and develop relevant and specific skills in this industry.103
Aberystwyth Innovation & Enterprise Campus104
Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AberInnovation) will provide world leading facilities and the expertise to create market focused solutions for the agri-tech, food and drink and industrial biotechnology industries.
The campus will contain several complimentary features including an Advanced Analysis Centre; Biorefining Centre; Future Foods Centre, Seed Biobank and an Innovation Hub which will facilitate collaborative research projects between the University and private sector in the bio-economy.
The campus is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC); and by Aberystwyth University, and will be a key asset in the region’s priority sectors of Food and Farming and Life Sciences.
The project will create in excess of 45 high-value jobs in the agri-tech industry and related fields once fully operational, creating demand in terms of higher level scientific skills.
VetHub1105
Backed with a £3m grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, Aberystwyth University are leading on the development of a veterinary research centre known as VetHub1.
101 https://businessnewswales.com/project-helix-innovation-boosts-welsh-food-and-drink-industry/ 103 https://www.ifst.org/news/project-helix-innovation-boosts-welsh-food-and-drink-industry
104 https://www.aberinnovation.com/
105 https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/news/news-article/title-223026-en.html
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Learner and Provider Consultation Analysis