We want to help businesses make the most of new technologies and prepare for the future.
Contents
Background
The Tech Valleys programme aims to make the south Wales Valleys a globally recognised centre for developing new technologies to support cutting edge industry.
The programme encourages businesses to:
- adopt digital technologies
- develop advanced technologies to support cutting edge industries
Read the Tech Valleys strategic plan to find out more about the aims and objectives of the programme.
Find out more about how we can develop new technologies in the south Wales valleys: Tech Valleys: vision
Current progress
2017
In 2017 we launched the Tech Valleys vision.
2018
In 2018 we:
- created the Tech Valleys Strategic Advisory Group
- launched the Tech Valleys strategic plan
- made a funding commitment: Welsh Government investing a further £25 million in Tech Valleys by 2021
2019
In 2019 we announced the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC): National Data Exploitation Centre (NDEC) | Trade and Invest Wales
2020
In 2020:
- developed the Tech Valleys communications strategy and published a Tech Valleys brochure
- launched the Tech Valleys Business Productivity Enhancement Project (BPEP)
- work started on the Lime Avenue hybrid units.
2021
In 2021:
- announced the 5G Wales Unlocked project: Plans for new tech cluster in Ebbw Vale move forward
- supported the creation of the Centre for Digital Public Services
- launched the Peer to Peer Network Support programme
- invested in the first HiVE Hubs at Coleg Gwent and Tredegar Comprehensive School
- Wales Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP) launched
- work started on REGAIN 2
- work on Former Tech Board building began
- BPEP work continued and was rolled out across South East Wales
2022
In 2022:
- we announced Welsh Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP) successes: New funding to inspire young people in ‘tech valleys’ to be scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians of the future
- Lime Avenue Hybrid Units completed and occupied
- ResilientWorks started: ResilientWorks | Thales
- the Tech Valleys Skills Gap Review led to the creation of the STEM facilitation project and the work was shortlisted in the Wales STEM Awards
- we made available significant seed funding to kick start the detailed design and development of HiVE, to deliver a high-quality teaching space for up-to 600 post-16 students and businesses, with classrooms, study areas and workshops kitted out with state-of the-art robotics and manufacturing equipment.
- we supported three further HiVE Hubs at Abertillery Learning Community, Brynmawr Foundation School and Ebbw Fawr Learning Community
- Immersive classroom launched (part of wider 5G Wales Unlocked project)
- The wider BPEP work continued: Wiltan LTD | Business Wales Caerphilly - Caerphilly County Borough
2023
In 2023:
- the Welsh Valleys Engineering Project and the Tech Valleys Blaenau Gwent Stem Facilitation Project given additional support to increase the range of activities for schools.
- HeadStart University experience taster events were held
- work continues with Internet of Things and LoRaWaN demonstrator
- Real impact of the BPEP was reported
- construction began on the HIVE site and was visited by the Secretary of State for Wales
- Blaenau Gwent Stem Facilitation Project was again shortlisted in the Wales STEM awards
- the Chief Scientific Officer visited Tredegar Comprehensive School and successful HiVE Hub
- Regain 2 was successfully completed providing a 10,000 sq. ft. Business Enterprise Centre for new tech start-ups.
Contact us
For further information about Tech Valleys, email: TechValleys@gov.wales