Page 18 - Swansea Skills Report 2024

Manufacturing - Batri
Leading the switch to net zero industry: new £20 million facility
to help develop a green economy in Wales - Swansea University
Lightcast™
. 2023
Manufacturing will play a vital role in the
decarbonisation route to Net Zero. With the new
Batri facility estimating to employ over 1,000
people in the next 10-12 years and the
requirement for compound semiconductors.
Not only will manufacturing industries need to
consider their own decarbonisation approach, but
they will also need to consider how they can
support the new and emerging markets supply
chain requirements and circular economic
principles. Scalability could be an issue with SME’s
The county has seen around 13% jobs decline in
this sector since 2018. Although Wales has seen a
decline in manufacturing roles since 2018 around
a 5%.
Neighbouring county NPT has seen an increase in
manufacturing roles where these skills are in high
demand. The SWITCH partnership between
Swansea and NPT will be vital for the future of
manufacturing in both counties.
This points to a potential issue in relation to
decarbonising manufacturing and ensuring the
sector can plan for a Net Zero supply chain
future.
The concern is that legislation may come fast
and with Industry being a large carbon emitter
across South West Wales, manufacturing needs
to plan now for the Net Zero transition. With
around 95% of these businesses being small
and micro, they may not have the resources, or
time to plan for the transition. Big industry need
to pave the way for SME’s to follow.
There is a lot to consider for this sector,
particularly SME’s who will need support and
guidance to plan for the skills required in order
to:
• Reduce their own emissions
• Take advantage of emerging new supply
chains and markets Net Zero will bring
• Research and adapt new materials and
supply
• Invest in circular economic principles
• Understand their own supply chain
sustainability
• Avoid a bottle neck in training when
legislation is passed
Availability of skills in these areas will be critical
for manufacturing.
Job postings skill requirements vs Workforce
Profiles
The Engineering roles are the most highly sought
after roles (Electrical, Mechanical, Maintenance,
Compliance etc) with roles being advertised up
to 3 times before they are filled. Figure 1 below
clearly shows the skills being advertised vs skills
in profiles don’t match up.
Figure 1:
18