Business

Pressure mounts as Welsh Government announces apprenticeship cuts

Published

5 months ago

December 19, 2023

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is under huge pressure to safeguard apprenticeship funding following deep cuts announced in today’s draft budget which could result in around 10,000 fewer apprentices, the The National Federation for Wales suggests.

Employers’ representatives, including the FSB and CBI, have signed an open letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford outlining their deep concerns about the proposed 24.2% cuts – the equivalent of £35 million – to apprenticeships for 2024-’25.

They want to know why all the money they pay to the apprenticeship levy is not being invested in apprentices, with claims that more than £80m is being spent elsewhere.

The proposed cuts are a combination of a 3.65% reduction in the apprenticeship budget and the loss of previous European Union funding, which pre-dated the apprenticeship levy. Employers pay 0.5% of their total annual pay bill to the levy.

*Lisa Mytton, the NTFW’s strategic director.*

The cuts are on top of £17.5m recently slashed from apprenticeships by the Welsh Government.

The National Federation for Wales (NTFW), who represent training providers, are joining employers in calling for an urgent review by the Welsh Government before irreversible damage is done to its flagship apprenticeship programme.

They want to know:

Are employers getting value for money from paying the apprenticeship levy, estimated to be worth £190m a year to the Welsh Government?
What has happened to Economy Minister Vaughan Gethin’s pledge, in March this year, of an extra £36m to cover the loss of European funding for apprenticeships?

Detailed research undertaken by work-based training providers, who deliver apprenticeships in Wales, has revealed that levy paying employers are being short-changed by more than £80m a year.

The NTFW warns that the cuts threaten hundreds of jobs in the work-based learning sector. They want the Welsh Government to provide the necessary transition funding – replacing the money lost from the European Union following Brexit – to benefit learners, skills development, productivity and business growth in Wales.

“Despite contrasting messages from the Welsh Government, demand for apprenticeships remains strong from learners and employers, and we urge Welsh Government to reconsider the proposed cuts which could have catastrophic consequences for Wales,” said Lisa Mytton, the NTFW’s strategic director.

“Notwithstanding the value for money questions surrounding the levy payments, there is also growing concern that the cuts will impact the sectors most in need of a skilled workforce, including health and social care.

“The network has been told that the budget for degree apprenticeships will be increased. Yet the data shows that degree apprenticeships recruit fewer learners from disadvantaged areas compared to real apprenticeships.

“Yet again, those most disengaged and disadvantaged in our society will be hit by the huge cuts.

“Some are questioning how the minister prioritised skills and young people in his recent economic mission statement whilst preparing to slash the apprenticeship budget. Like all NTFW members, employers consider his statement to contradict the reality of the situation and want to know what his new priorities are.

“Skills and further education are fundamental to our economic recovery. The time to invest in our learners and workers is now.”

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

24 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Business

Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.

Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.

The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.

Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.

Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.

Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.

Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.

For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.

Business

Lidl will be first supermarket to sign up for milk from Pembrokeshire Creamery

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LIDL has announced that it will soon become the first major UK supermarket to sell milk exclusively produced and bottled in Wales, thanks to a partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery.

Starting from June 1, Lidl customers in Wales will be able to purchase Welsh own-label milk products, with plans to extend this to include cream shortly thereafter.

Previously, milk produced in Wales was transported to England for bottling before being sold in Welsh stores. However, with a significant £20m investment supported by the Welsh government, Pembrokeshire Creamery has now established the only bottling facility in the country certified to supply supermarkets. This development not only reduces transportation distances, thus cutting down on food miles, but also generates 80 new jobs in the local community.

The initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to support Welsh agriculture and provide consumers with locally sourced products. Their range already includes Welsh bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb, and beef. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the retailer’s dedication to local produce: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.”

Mark McQuade, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Creamery, highlighted the efficiency of the new operation. “The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales,” he said.

This news coincides with Lidl’s announcement of a £500m investment in the British pork industry, aimed at supporting continued production amidst recent challenges such as rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which have significantly impacted the sector.

Lidl’s initiatives are set to bolster not only the local Welsh economy but also the broader agricultural sector across the UK.