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Active Factory of the Future
The factory of the future will be a fully digitally connected, open innovation, manufacturing ecosystem deploying a physical hub and spoke network in newly built and leased space distributed over the Swansea Bay City Region.
Skills and Talent Initiative
The Skills and Talent Intervention will be managed and led by the RLSP and will provide an integrated regional approach to delivering skills focusing on specific sector skills required in order to meet the demand of the Swansea Bay City Region City Deal. This will ensure appropriate and timely response to industry and emerging project demands, remaining relevant and effective while avoiding duplication or missed opportunities.
4.1.2 Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon
The publication of the Hendry review on the 12th January 2017 into the future of tidal lagoons59 has emphasised strong support for the development of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon as a pathfinder project.
‘After years of debating, the evidence is I believe clear that tidal lagoons can play a cost-effective part of the UK’s energy mix. Large scale tidal lagoons, delivered with the advantages created by the pathfinder, are likely to be able to play a valuable and cost competitive role in the electricity system of the future.’60
Although currently there has been no further development in relation to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon from the UK the review is a significant boost in confidence for the project.
The RLSP has worked extensively with Tidal Lagoon Power to identify and understand the skills challenges associated with the development of both a pathfinder lagoon in Swansea Bay but also the skills required to develop a tidal lagoon energy sector in the region. This research examined the impact of existing research in the region regarding Construction and manufacturing capabilities and extended the manufacturing research to identify the levels required to complete the component parts. An executive summary and the recommendations detailed within the report can be accessed here; http://www.rlp.org.uk/wp-content/ uploads/SBTL-Executive-Summary.pdf
The RLSP will continue to work closely with Tidal Lagoon Power and relevant stakeholders to maximise the opportunities presented by the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the longer term development of the tidal lagoon industry.
4.1.3 A Regional Collaboration for Health (ARCH)
ARCH has been formed to support a joined up regional approach to deliver meaningful change and to im- prove the health, wealth and wellbeing of South West Wales. It is a collaboration between the NHS health boards of Hywel Dda and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU) and Swansea Uni- versity and supports are range project activities around four key areas.
• Workforce, education and training,
• Health and Wellbeing,
• Service Transformation,
• Research, Enterprise and Innovation.
4.1.4 IMPACT – Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies
The IMPACT building at Swansea University’s Bay Campus will form part of the College of Engineering as a semi-autonomous research institute. Research will be conducted through strategic objectives determined by a specific steering board and advice from external industrial, governmental and academic stakeholders.
59 https://hendryreview.wordpress.com/
60 https://hendryreview.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/summary-of-recommendations.pdf
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Aspirational Projects and Key Developments