Two research projects that will help drive forward skills within the creative media industries and create more employment opportunities across West Wales and the Valleys are to get underway.
The projects, commissioned by Skillset Cymru, will identify the current and future skills needed to create a dynamic workforce with high quality jobs.
Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “Capitalising on the opportunities of the digital age and building a workforce with the necessary high level skills is vital to driving forward this exciting and diverse sector.
“The Welsh Government is committed to training people in specialist skills and technologies. Not only will this help to increase our productivity and performance, it will ensure we are well placed to gain the maximum economic and cultural benefits from specialist industries.”
The two research projects will be conducted by Trends Business Research Ltd and their partners, Olsberg|SPI. The first research project will be carried out as part of Skillset Cymru’s £4.5m flagship, Skills for the Digital Economy.
Backed with £2.7m from the European Social fund, the project will inform the funding and development of high level, flexible, industry-led training schemes to help companies and freelancers increase their skills base and competitive edge.
The second project will identify the future skills needs of the Digital/Creative Media sector in Wales over the next five to ten years and ensure that the FE and HE sectors can respond quickly and flexibly to the ever changing skills needs of the sector.
It will be carried out under the Welsh Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot programme, which is supported by £2.4m from the European Social Fund. Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European programmes, Alun Davies said:
“This is another example of our successful management of EU funds, bringing further benefits to individuals and businesses across the region.”
Chair of Skillset Cymru, and Creative Director of Green Bay Media, John Geraint, said: “Skillset Cymru’s role is to help enable the Creative Industries to deliver economic prosperity by ensuring that talented people have the right skills. This research is an essential tool which will enable us to accelerate business growth by identifying those skills needs, now and for the future.”
Director of Skillset Cymru, Gwawr Hughes, said:
“These research projects will examine the current and future skills needs of the creative industries in West Wales and the Valleys and will underpin Skillset’s investment into training in those areas over the next four years. This labour market information is much needed and is critical if the sector is to move forward and grow.”
For information on skillset go to www.skillset.org
