As the Learning at Work Week gets underway, the Cabinet Secretary
for the Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, , is urging businesses across
Wales to support their employees to take advantage of
opportunities to “learn and earn” in the workplace in order to
develop new skills needed to thrive in the future.
The Welsh Government already invests in a wealth of programmes,
ensuring that employers have a skilled workforce, and that
individuals have the knowledge and skills to allow them to thrive
in the workplace.
- Apprenticeships are a vital part of the Welsh Government's
Young Person's Guarantee, which provides under 25s in Wales
with the offer of support to gain a place in education or
training, find a job or become self-employed. The Welsh
Government has committed a multi-million package of support to
quality apprenticeship delivery.
- The innovative Jobs Growth Wales+ programme aims to create
life changing opportunities for those who are not in education,
employment or training.
- Employment and Enterprise Bureaus are operating in every
college in Wales and provide a package of support for students to
build essential employability and enterprise skills, and support
their transition to employment.
- Personal Learning Accounts are aimed at individuals already
in employment, but who wish to upskill or reskill and to maximise
the opportunities presented by new and emerging sectors and
technologies.
The Cabinet Secretary, , said: “The world of work is
changing more than it has done for decades and I want Wales, our
businesses and our people, to put ourselves in a position to
become the best place possible to work, live and invest.
“As we enter Learning at Work Week, I'd like to see job-seekers,
employers and employees alike taking advantage of the wealth of
opportunities available across Wales to earn and learn in tandem
- harnessing and developing new skills and futureproofing,
energising and diversifying our workforces.
“Take a look what support there might be to help you maximise
your potential and let's help each other unlock our collective
potential as we build a resilient, forward looking and prosperous
economy where no-one in Wales feels left behind.”
Peter Perry started as an apprentice at Dŵr Cymru and, thanks to
that early learning and support, is now CEO of the company,
responsible for a 3,000 strong workforce. He said: “The blend of
theoretical engineering and practical application gave me the
opportunity to dive into the world of work, whilst still being
supported through classroom learning. An apprenticeship is about
understanding how a business works across multiple disciplines,
giving you a unique insight into the detail of an organisation
and really getting under its skin.
“Having the ability to experience the grassroots of the business
has been incredibly helpful, particularly as I've progressed
through my career. The fact that I've seen and done it, at all
levels, means I have an empathy and deep understanding of the
business that I draw upon daily to make informed decisions as
CEO.
“At Dŵr Cymru, we offer a diverse range of work-based learning
opportunities across different fields and skill sets. I would
absolutely recommend apprenticeships to businesses of all sizes
and sectors.”
Taking place between 13-17 May 2024, the annual Learning at Work
Week puts the spotlight on the importance and benefits of
continual learning and development.
