Page 3 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan_2019__WEB

3
Foreword
Developing an Employment and Skills Plan that includes the skills that will be required across the region over the next 10 years would in normal circumstances be thought of as not being a very difficult task to achieve. However, change is happening so rapidly in some industries that there is barely time to write the frameworks required to deliver the training.
What we need in the region is a skilled productive workforce that can adapt to change and embrace new tech- nology and this change is not limited to the young but to all ages and eventually all job roles. A competitive skilled workforce will enable us to be more productive, increase opportunities for new businesses and become more economically sustainable during this time of change.
During the last year we have seen major projects starting to be developed in our area, including the £1.6 billion City Deal for Swansea Bay. Discussions are also ongoing with Governments for a Growth Deal in Mid Wales. These deals aim to boost the economy through public and private sector investment in innovative projects that will increase the number of skilled jobs, increase employment opportunities and boost the GVA of the region. Skills remain an essential part of any economic growth.
The engagement with the private sector was and will remain key for the success of any Region and the RLSP has continued to engage with Industry and I am pleased to report that this year we have engaged with more business leaders than ever before. More than 1000 businesses directly engaged with the RLSP this year and have provided further insight into what is actually needed in terms of skills. We cannot be complacent though and have to engage with more businesses, large and small, from across all sectors and across the whole region.
We are now able to answer the challenge set last year by Industry on the difference their input is making. We've seen a change in the funding to Further Education directly because of recommendations made by Industry. The increased opportunities and level of apprenticeship provision in the region is again a direct response to the demands of Industry to meet their ever changing skills requirements.
However, the challenge from industry is always can we show them that their contribution has made a difference, that their voice has been heard. The expansion of the Degree Apprenticeship programme to include Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering will be a welcome addition to the IT Degree apprenticeships already available for Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Data Analytics.
Alongside that work, funding was made available this year by the then Minister for Lifelong Learning and Skills to FE Colleges to specifically look at some of the recommendations made in the Employment and Skills plan for part time provision. This funding has already been used to introduce short courses and higher level courses to meet the key issue of work readiness and basic skills and further funding has been made available for 2019 to meet the recommendations within the Employment and Skills Plan.
Raising the perceptions of the opportunities in the Foundational Economy, health, tourism, food, manufacturing and construction to our future workforce remains a key objective moving forward.
With the ever changing world of skills and the economy we have to be mindful of the future generations, industry and society as a whole by embedding a culture of flexibility, resilience, creativity and confidence. The interaction between providers, employers and government within the RLSP continues to be crucial in this regards and I whole- heartedly support this year's plan and ongoing work.
Paul Greenwood
Chairman, Regional Learning and Skills Partnership
Foreword