News

Plaid criticise government on skills

Published

10 years ago

August 1, 2014

PLAID CYMRU have criticised the Welsh Government’s record on skills development. From a discussion held in the Senedd, Plaid have highlighted three key areas they believe are of concern- The massive cuts in the post-19 skills budget by the Welsh Government; Questions about how rural, small and medium sized businesses are included in the future and the role of the Welsh language. “Plaid Cymru have already outlined their vision on skills that they say will ensure that everyone in Wales remains in skills training until they are 19 years old. Shadow Education and Skills Minister Simon Thomas said: “Plaid Cymru welcomes, finally, the Welsh Government trying to get to grips with the skills gap that exists between Wales and other nations in the UK, Europe and beyond as well as high unemployment. We need to remember, however, that those who are in post- 19 education have been through fifteen years of education under the Labour Welsh Government and in today’s announcement the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology must concede his Government’s shortcoming. The Welsh Government has delivered massive cuts to the post- 19 skills budget, and is now looking to businesses to make up the funding shortfall. He continued by adding: “The Party of Wales’ has previously called on the Government to work more closely with the private sector as it identifies the skills it needs, and I’m glad to see the Welsh Government attempt to do this. However, the Minister needs to tell us how he will ensure that this is rolled out consistently across Wales and how he will ensure that rural businesses and SMEs are not excluded. The Welsh Government has itself acknowledged the crucial role of Welsh language skills to the economy, so it’s disappointing that there is no provision made for it in today’s announcement, particularly after the Welsh Government slashed the funding for teaching Welsh to adults. Plaid Cymru has outlined our vision to ensure that everyone in Wales remains in skills training of some form until they are 19 years old. We want everyone in Wales to be able to develop the skills they need to excel in the workplace, and to help our businesses excel in the global market. Responding to these criticisms, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, said: “These comments are poorly-informed, hastily put together and show a fundamental lack of understanding of the skills system in Wales. Let’s be clear, t h e new Plan has nothing to do with budget cuts, but it has everything to do with ensuring we continue to raise standards at every stage of learning from early years to post-19. In developing the new Plan, we have worked extensively with bodies such as the FSB and have listened to the views of employers of all sizes. We need a sustainable and responsible funding system for skills and our new 10 year plan sets out how we will achieve this. Evidence shows that many employers across Wales are already making a substantial investment in skills and the Plan is all about ensuring that we encourage more of our employers to do the same. We are already working with regional partnerships across Wales to look at specific skills needs. This includes reviewing support for developing Welsh language skills for use in the workplace, building on the best practice already in place across Wales.

News

RNLI urges public to stay safe as Storm Éowyn hits Wales

Published

8 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

STORM ÉOWYN is set to bring strong winds across the UK, with an amber weather now in place for warning for parts of Wales on Friday. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging those near the coast to be aware of the dangers the stormy weather could bring.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from today (23 January), covering much of the UK with gusts of 50 to 60mph expected across part of Wales. Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday when the amber warning is in place for north Wales.

For those who plan to visit the coast this Friday and Saturday, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and the lifesaving charity is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

Chris Cousens, Regional Water Safety Lead for Wales says: ‘Storm Éowyn is set to bring potentially dangerous and uncertain conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant.

‘If you plan to visit the coast, the RNLI advises that you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

‘If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live; lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

‘If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – you could end up in difficulty too.’

The RNLI’s safety advice is:

Stay well back from stormy, wintery seas and cliff edges
Check the weather forecast and tide times before you go
Take a phone with you
In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard

News

Two local musicians awarded four-figure bursaries from Menter Rhosygilwen

Published

51 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Staff Writer

Two leading musicians are to receive funding totalling £8,000 thanks to a new music bursary launched by Menter Rhosygilwen.

Cardigan pianist Raph James and Pembrokeshire trumpeter Carys Wood are both to receive £4,000 of funding spread over the next two years, after receiving offers to continue their performance studies at two of the UK’s top music colleges.

Raph, who is taught by Pembrokeshire-based pianist Sarahjane Absalom, has been accepted by both the Guildhall School of Music, London and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, while Carys has been accepted by both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London.

“This is the first year that we’ve launched the bursary, and its aim is for young people in Dyfed who have been accepted to study at a music academy,” explained Glen Peters, owner and director of Menter Rhosygilwen.

“This year the standard was so high that we were compelled to award it to two students rather than one, and as a result we’ve increased the bursary from £6,000 to £8,000.”

Raph, who recently gained his Associate of the Royal Schools of Music performance diploma with an exceptionally high score, is also the current Young Musician of Dyfed after wowing judges with his outstanding performance at Rhosygilwen in 2024. He is a Year 13 student at Cardigan Secondary School where he is currently preparing for A levels in maths, physics, and chemistry. He will commence his performance studies at the Guildhall School of Music in September.

Carys Wood is a sixth form student at Haverfordwest High School. In 2024 she reached the last 50 televised rounds of the BBC Young Musician and in September she will commence her undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Raph and Carys will officially receive their bursaries at a special awards ceremony at Rhosygilwen in April.

Community

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

17 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]