Page 3 - Carmarthenshire Skills Report 2024

South West Wales Regional Learning & Skills Partnership have
created this skills report specifically for Carmarthenshire. Using a
combination of Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) coupled with
industry sector analysis, skills reports from industry experts,
feedback from core RLSP cluster groups and RLSP employer &
learner surveys, this skills report can be used in conjunction with
the RLSP skills plan for the South West Wales region to provide a
robust rounded review of the skills landscape, its challenges and
opportunities.
Its a very challenging time in the skills landscape with new skills
and competencies being required and current skills requiring
updating. With many future projects in Carmarthenshire (and the
surrounding counties) on the horizon coupled with national
incentives and initiatives, now is the perfect time to evaluate the
skill requirements for the current core economic industries in the
county plus identify what will be required for the near future with
emerging markets and their required supply chains.
Lines are being blurred between sectors, with many sectors now
having core transferable skills and looking for similar roles. Energy,
Construction, Manufacturing, Digital, Professional Services,
Transport are all looking for similar skill profiles, so there is risk of
skills Displacement, Leakage and Substitution as many sectors
compete for similar talent. Add to this the requirement for net
zero upskilling throughout the workforce, employers will need to
consider how to find the time to invest in their people and engage
with the next generation of workers to raise perceptions of their
industry.
The report will dive into the core economic industries coupled with
new emerging market requirements, identify shortfalls and provide
insight on how these shortfalls can be addressed.
Some of the biggest barriers can also be viewed as an opportunity
for a refresh and taking a different approach to recruitment,
retention and skill gaps experienced in the county, which is also
facing low unemployment rate, (which is obviously good for
employees, but is having a tightening of the labour market with
employers) a disengagement from Generation Z (who have also
had their learning development interrupted by the pandemic),
retirement risk and additional challenges such as the
decarbonization journey to Net Zero.
There are also the emerging markets that the Freeports, Energy
switching, and regeneration will bring, coupled with pressure on
public services, and Net Zero transition. All key considerations
when assessing the skills arena, these concerns could be driving
the county to a potential huge void in skills availability in the
coming years.
Now is a vital time to assess, understand and take proactive action
on the skill requirements in the county so Carmarthenshire can
thrive using local people in local industries to drive the local
economy and create an exciting, fulfilling, thriving and sustainable
job market into the future.
Summary
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