Preparing local students for our future workforce
A unique pilot project has been approved in Pembrokeshire that will bring together students and companies that specialise in the renewable energy sector, creating an industry led framework on Blue-Green Energy which will prepare young talent for upcoming local job opportunities.
This is the first pilot project to be approved by the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership (RLSP) as part of the £30 million Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Programme where Pembrokeshire College, Pembrokeshire County Council and local businesses will work in collaboration to deliver the Pembrokeshire Passport to Employment.
Starting in September 2022, its anticipated that students aged between 5- 19 years old will benefit from this project in just the first year and it will be taught by Pembrokeshire College, Milford Haven Secondary School and Ysgol Harri Tudur via five key strands. Students will learn about renewable energy including wave, tidal and solar energy, and offshore and onshore wind with help from companies that specialise in this field including EDF Renewables UK, DP Energy, Blue Gem Wind, Bombora Wave and Ore Catapult.
This exciting project has been developed by working closely with the Swansea Bay City Deal Pembroke Dock Marine project as it identifies skill gaps in current education frameworks for the teaching of renewable energy, to where there is expected to be a high demand for workers in the future though the City Deal and other public and private sector projects.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee said “It is great to see the approval of the first Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent pilot scheme and fantastic to see two of our projects working together to create much needed teaching on renewable energy.
“We are certain that these new frameworks will ensure that our Pembrokeshire students will be ready for a job in the renewable energy sector, and by building on our local industry expertise we hope to create a centre of excellence for renewable energy in Pembrokeshire.
“The Skills and Talent Programme interlinks with all other 8 City Deal projects and programmes and will help us to grow our region, by retaining our talented students through providing opportunities for them to stay with the region when they are ready for employment.
Following the success of this pilot scheme in the Milford Haven cluster area we hope it will be rolled out to other areas across Pembrokeshire, South West Wales and nationally in the coming years. We are also reviewing other Skills & Talent pilot projects proposals and hope to make announcements soon about more exciting initiatives that will help build our future workforce”.
Barry Walters, Principal of Pembrokeshire College of Pembrokeshire College added “We are delighted that the partnership approach between Pembrokeshire County Council, local energy companies and ourselves has been the first project to be approved through the Skills and Talent Strand of the Swansea Bay City Deal. We look forward to the implementation of a number of innovative initiatives commencing in September which will raise awareness of renewable energy and help to provide the young people of the county with the skills sets needed for future employment in the future.”
Regional Learning and Skills Partnership South West Wales
More News Articles
« Join Learning and Work Institute’s Adult Learners’ Week campaign — Dylan’s love of animals led to dream career »
