Page 3 - Neath Port Talbot Skills Report 2024

South West Wales Regional Learning & Skills Partnership have
created this skills report specifically for Neath Port Talbot. 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 Employment and Skills plan for the South West Wales
region to provide a robust rounded review of the skills landscape,
its challenges and opportunities.
It’s a very challenging time in the skills landscape with new skills
and competencies being required and current skills requiring
updates. With many future projects in NPT on the horizon coupled
with national incentives and local 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.
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, a disengagement by the younger
workforce 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 and
enterprise zones will bring, coupled with an emerging tourism
market, pressure on public services, and new energy sources. 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 to enable Neath & Port
Talbot to 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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