Welsh Government
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£3.8m EU-backed project to boost job security and career progression in valleys
A new £3.8 million project to boost the skills and prospects of working people in the South Wales valleys has been announced by Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt.
The Working Skills for Adults 2 project, backed by £2.7 million EU funds through the Welsh Government, will help 1,700 individuals gain new skills leading to improved job security and career prospects.
Led by Torfaen Council in partnership with local authorities, the project will deliver across Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil over the next three years.
Those taking part will benefit from job-specific technical training in areas including construction, accounting and IT, as well as opportunities to develop key skills such as digital literacy.
Training will take place at community venues and will be designed to fit around a variety of working patterns.
The Finance Minister announced the EU funding at the Power Station adult learning centre in Cwmbran – one of the venues that will host training events as part of the project.
Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said:
“Raising skills is a key priority of the Welsh Government and I am delighted we are investing vital EU funds to help achieve this goal.
“This EU investment will boost the prospects of thousands of working people by raising both basic and higher level skills, helping to tackle poverty, improve job security and career prospects.
“Building a skilled workforce will increase productivity which will benefit employers and the wider Welsh economy.”
Cllr Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen Council, said:
“We are delighted to have secured £2.7m of EU funds to launch the second Working Skills for Adults project which will enable us to support employed adults to gain the qualifications they need to progress in the workplace and to improve their chances of securing promotion or changing their careers.
“As an area with many small employers, we know that they are not all in a position to help their employees up-skill within the workplace. This is why Working Skills for Adults will provide learning opportunities in community venues and at times to suit a range of working patterns.
“The project is also very important in supporting our approach to tackling in-work poverty in the region by providing people with skills to build and progress their careers.”
