A £335 million package to help businesses with their rates bills in 2025-26 was unveiled by the Welsh Government today (Dec 11), including continued support for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses for the sixth consecutive year.

As the Draft Budget was published this afternoon, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, highlighted Welsh Labour’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, and decarbonisation. Key funding allocations include £144 million for all-age apprenticeships and an extra £6.5 million for the Flexible Skills programme, focusing on sectors linked to green growth.

The Draft Budget prioritises record investments in flood prevention and coal tip safety. This includes an additional £25 million for 2025-26 from the UK Government, complementing the £65 million coal tip safety programme running from 2021 to 2025. The publication coincides with the introduction of a new Coal Tip Safety Bill.

Key highlights of the budget include:

• £88 million in capital funding for city and growth deals.
• £23 million to develop employment sites and property to create new jobs.
• £5.15 million to support Trydan Gwyrdd and local energy plans.

For the first time, Welsh Labour is leveraging collaboration with the UK Government to allocate over £3 billion in capital funding. Every department will see an increase in funding, enabling significant investments in infrastructure and services across Wales.

This marks a shift from the difficult budget decisions of previous years, with an additional £1.5 billion earmarked for public services, aiming to restore growth and resilience.

The funding reflects the First Minister’s priorities, focusing on job creation in sectors addressing climate change, restoring nature, and supporting families.

Specific allocations include:

• £3.7 million to address planning system delays.
• £5 million for Natural Resources Wales to expand land and marine consenting capacity.
• £4.5 million for Green Business Loans to assist SMEs with energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“Welsh businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, and this is a budget for a brighter future, supporting those businesses to thrive and survive.

“It is also an opportunity to build on our outstanding green and renewable energy sector, underpinning our unashamed support of new renewable energy projects to meet our electricity demands.”

Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford added: “This Draft Budget is for a brighter tomorrow. With two Labour governments working together, we can provide long-denied investment to public services, put Wales back on the path to growth, and start to reverse the damage inflicted over the last 14 years.

“It is a budget of hope and growth for Welsh businesses and the green sector. The First Minister’s priorities, those issues which matter most to the people of Wales, are reflected in this funding.”

Modern education is constantly evolving, and every year new approaches emerge that change learning processes. This is especially true for students of technical specialities, where it is important not only to master theoretical knowledge but also to apply it in real life. In this article, we will look at innovative teaching methods that help technical students develop the necessary skills and achieve high academic results. 

Innovations in technology have provided accessible platforms for learning, by means of online libraries and educational platforms. Other areas such as the entertainment sector have been impacted by technology as the use of online casinos has increased astronomically – some of which offer a free spin bonus.

1. Use of interactive platforms and virtual laboratories

With the development of technology, the nature of learning has changed significantly. Traditional lectures and seminars no longer meet all modern requirements, especially when it comes to technical disciplines. Virtual laboratories and interactive platforms allow students to conduct experiments, simulate different situations and gain practical skills without the need to visit physical laboratories. This approach significantly increases learning efficiency, as students can study material at their own convenience and repeat tasks without restrictions.

Advantages of interactive learning

• Accessibility: The ability to learn from anywhere, which provides flexibility in the learning process.
• Practical application: Students can test their knowledge and skills in real-world environments without the risk of damaging equipment or creating dangerous situations.
• Individualised learning: Each student is able to work at their own pace, which allows for better adaptation to different skill levels.
  

2. Gamification of the learning process

Gamification is the integration of game elements into the learning process, which significantly increases student motivation. Gamification makes learning not only more interesting but also more effective. By playing educational games, students retain information better, develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Key components of gamification

• Balancing complexity: Games are created in such a way that the tasks are challenging but not too difficult, which helps to develop skills.
• Rewards and points: Students receive points for completing tasks, which encourages them to reach new heights.
• Achievement system: Virtual medals and certificates help students to feel achievement and progress in their studies.
  

3. Project-based learning approaches

Project-based learning is another innovative method that enables students to develop critical thinking and teamwork skills. This method involves the creation of real-life projects that address current issues and challenges in the field of engineering and technology. Students work in groups to develop technical solutions, analyse data and present their research findings. This approach develops the ability to work in a team, teaches them to listen and take into account the opinions of others, and to take responsibility for the final result.

Benefits of project-based learning

• Development of practical skills: Students gain real-world experience in creating products or solutions.
• Stimulating creativity: The approach allows you to experiment and look for new ways to solve problems.
• Engagement with real-world problems: Students have the opportunity to work with actual issues, which helps prepare them for professional activities.
  

4. Implementation of artificial intelligence in education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important part of education, helping to personalise the learning process and make it more effective. Thanks to machine learning algorithms, AI can adapt materials according to the level of students’ training, automatically evaluate tasks and provide recommendations for further learning. This approach facilitates faster learning and reduces the workload of teachers.

How AI helps students

• Individual approach: AI-powered platforms can tailor learning material to the needs of each student.
• Automatic grading: Assessment of tasks becomes fast and accurate.
• Virtual assistants: AI can answer students’ questions, provide additional explanations, and help them solve tasks.
  

5. Creating online course programmes

One of the most effective ways to learn in today’s environment is through online courses, which offer a wide range of topics and the ability to study complex technical subjects at a time convenient for students. These courses often include video lectures, interactive assignments, tests, and the opportunity to discuss the material with other participants. This format promotes independent learning and development of the discipline.

Advantages of online learning

• Accessibility: Online courses are available to students anywhere, making them convenient for learning.
• Flexibility: The ability to plan your own study time.
• Variety of materials: Videos, graphs, tests and other resources for effective learning.
  

6. Use of augmented reality (AR) technology

Augmented reality opens up new opportunities in teaching technical disciplines. AR allows students to see and interact with three-dimensional models, making it easier to understand complex concepts and processes. By bringing information into the real world, AR makes learning fun and interactive.

How AR is changing the learning process

• Deeper understanding of the material: Students can see and model objects and processes in three dimensions.
• Interactive learning: The technology allows you to participate in virtual experiments and research.
• Student engagement: Visualisation of material helps to keep students’ attention and interest.
  

7. Synergy of theory and practice

One of the key aspects of successful learning is the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Innovative methods involve the use of simulators, virtual trainers and modelling software, which allows students to integrate their knowledge into practical tasks. This not only improves their understanding of the material, but also prepares them for real-world challenges in their future careers.

The importance of practical training

• Skills development: Hands-on training prepares students for real-world work.
• Problem solving: Students learn how to solve problems that may arise in their professional lives.
• Application of theory: Theoretical knowledge is applied in practice, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the subject.
  

Conclusion.

Innovative teaching methods for students of technical specialities open up new horizons in the field of education, providing a high level of interactivity, flexibility and efficiency of the learning process. The use of technologies such as interactive platforms, artificial intelligence, gamification, augmented reality and online courses creates conditions for in-depth learning and development of practical skills. These approaches give students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life situations, which prepares them for real challenges in their professional lives.

It is important that educational institutions actively implement these innovations and adapt their curricula to modern requirements. This approach not only increases students’ motivation but also helps them develop the competencies necessary for a successful career in high-tech industries. The integration of the latest teaching methods is becoming the key to creating a more dynamic, adaptive and effective educational environment that meets the requirements of the modern world.

A REPORT from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and Stantec reveals that Openreach’s ongoing rollout of Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband could inject £1 billion into the Welsh economy by 2029.

This prediction coincides with a major milestone: over one million homes and businesses in Wales now have access to ultrafast Full Fibre broadband via Openreach’s network.

The research, commissioned by Openreach, highlights the transformative potential of Full Fibre broadband, including economic growth, job creation, and enhanced social connectivity.

Lion Hotel: A digital transformation success story

Treorchy’s award-winning Lion Hotel is among the properties celebrating the broadband milestone. Known as a community hub and a venue for study groups, meetings, and co-working, the Lion Hotel has embraced digital transformation with the installation of ultrafast broadband.

Adrian Emmett, the hotel’s owner, explained: “Since coming out of lockdown, we’ve digitised our business systems, including music, tills, CCTV, and bookings. But our Wi-Fi often struggled, letting down customers who use the Lion Hotel as a shared working space. With ultrafast broadband, we can now provide a seamless experience. It’s a game changer for our business and the community.”

The Lion Hotel has also installed interactive dart systems and plans to expand its TikTok presence, which already boasts 127,000 followers and 260 million views. Emmett added:
“With ultrafast broadband, the sky’s the limit. We can now explore live streaming and other opportunities that weren’t possible before.”

Economic and social benefits

The Cebr report outlines the extensive benefits of Full Fibre broadband:

• Economic Growth: Contributing £66 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy by 2029.
• Job Creation: Enabling 620,000 people, including parents and older workers, to re-enter the workforce through flexible opportunities.
• Healthcare Advancements: Supporting five million online appointments annually by 2029—double the current figure.
• Educational Gains: Improving pass rates for 21,700 students in key subjects.
• Property Value Increases: Boosting the average home value by £1,900.
• Environmental Impact: Reducing car journeys and carbon emissions by allowing 1.4 million more people to work from home.

Government support and future plans

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens praised the milestone, stating:
“Reaching one million properties in Wales with ultrafast broadband is a significant achievement. Full Fibre broadband is essential for boosting growth and productivity in communities across Wales.”

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, added: “The Welsh Government is committed to delivering the connectivity services that businesses, the public sector, and homes in Wales need to thrive. This milestone is a testament to that commitment.”

Openreach aims to expand its Fibre network to 25 million UK premises by 2026, with plans to reach 30 million by the decade’s end. Suzanne Rutherford, from Openreach’s Complex Engineering Wales, said:
“With Full Fibre now available to one million Welsh homes and businesses, we’re laying the groundwork for economic growth, job creation, and increased opportunities for remote work and digital innovation.”

To check Full Fibre availability, residents can use the Openreach postcode checker and contact their broadband provider to upgrade. More details can be found in the Cebr report at openreach.com/about/policy-hub.