North Wales is open for business and can build further on its strong track record, First Minister Carwyn Jones said ahead of a visit to the Wrexham area today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The First Minister will be launching a £16m EU-backed scheme to provide training programmes targeted at businesses in key sectors of the North Wales economy.
Skills for Employers and Employees (SEE) is set to benefit over 500 businesses and 7,000 people over the next three years. Led by Coleg Cambria the project will enable businesses to access training with subsidies of up to 70 per cent.
The launch will be at Magellan Aerospace, one of the companies to benefit from the scheme.
Speaking ahead of the event the First Minister said:
“This scheme will create an even stronger skills base in the region, better equipped businesses and stronger business investment potential.
“It is the result of partnership and collaboration and has been developed with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, in its capacity as the Regional Skills Partnership, to ensure it meets local needs and works for key sectors of the North Wales economy.
“It will have a key role to play in supporting major economic developments in North Wales, such as Wylfa Newydd, Menai Science Park, and helping to grow the businesses that have set up in North Wales’ enterprise zones.
“With £10m of EU funding this scheme is a positive example of how we are continuing to maximise the use of our existing funds to ensure Wales gets the full benefit of this important source of funding.
“It is our priority to ensure Wales does not lose a penny of the EU funds we currently receive, following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. We are in on-going discussions with the UK Government about guaranteeing funds for projects agreed after the Autumn Statement.
“North Wales is open for business and means business. With a host of companies actively investing in the area such as Airbus, Raytheon and Magellan to name a few, it can build on its success.
“Businesses know that the skills base here is strong and this programme will further strengthen this making it an even more attractive place to invest.”