Page 51 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan_2019__WEB

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Employer Evidence - Response Profile
County
Ceredigion Powys Pembrokeshire Carmarthenshire Swansea
Neath Port Talbot Other
Total
Business Size
Micro Small
16 1 18 4
Total
Medium Large53
2 1 20
4 0 22 0 4 0 32 9 6 5 46 1 0 1 12
28
26
10 11013 11002 100 17 16 8 141
The response profile is weighted heavily towards micro sized enterprises and inference of the data shows that many of these enterprises are farmers and agricultural businesses. This is welcomed by the RLSP as this is a subsector which has lacked representation in previous years.
To provide clarity, in future, the RLSP will split agriculture and food manufacturing within the survey to gain a better understanding of the needs of these individual sectors. Where possible the RLSP has provided analysis for medium and large sized enterprises separately within this profile. Inference of the data shows that these enterprises are representative of the food manufacturing sector.
Challenges
Similarly to other sectors ‘making a profit’ is considered to be the most pressing challenge for the majority (74%) of businesses operating within this sector. ‘Economic/financial challenges’ are a consideration for 42%, with ‘bureaucracy/legislation’ a challenge for others (37%).
Poor connectivity and succession planning are also key challenges.
The Workforce
The most recent statistics indicate that 64% of those employed within the sector are male and the majority of the workforce is over the age of 45. This is particularly concerning given the ageing nature of the sectors’ workforce. A failure to attract enough new entrants to the industry with the desired skills could potentially be incredibly damaging for the sector and its skills base.
Recently the Farmers’ Union of Wales has stated that the farming industry risks becoming “stagnant” unless more is done to encourage the younger generation into the sector. Latest figures indicate that the average owner of a farm holding in Wales is over 60 years old with only 3% under the age of 35. As a result, the FUW are calling on WG to introduce an action plan to address this, centred on three important elements which need to be addressed;
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales
Sector Profiles