February brought news of a major skills funding boost for Creative Industries in our region, together with two studies showing a surge in apprenticeship uptake and the importance placed by Gen Z on training and development.
Those reports made Welsh Water’s record apprenticeship offering look inspired – but celebrations were muted by news of a continued gender pay gap, even in female-dominated industries ….
CCR’s Creative Industries receive major skills funding boost:
One of CCR’s key priority sectors – the Creative Industries – received a significant boost in February, with the Creative Skills Fund awarding more than £1.5m to 17 projects that will deliver high-quality skills and training projects within one of our Region’s fastest-growing sectors.
Launched by the Welsh Government in September 2022, the Creative Skills Fund supports projects aligned to one or more of the 10 identified projects within the three-year industry led Creative Skills Action Plan – addressing the skills requirements of Digital Content, Music and Screen, as well as considering the long-term needs of Wales’ thriving creative sector.
Some of the projects which have been awarded funding include new Learning Disability Inclusion training for the screen industry; upskilling grass roots music venue managers; an entry-level Gaming Hub covering BTEC entry requirements at levels 1, 2 and 3 – and the creation of three new Screen Academies to deliver the skills, education and training needed by the next generation of Welsh screen industry talent.
The Screen Academies project is being led by the multi-Oscar-winning University of South Wales Film & TV School in collaboration with Bangor University and Screen Alliance Wales – developing Screen Academies inside Aria Studios, Greatpoint Studios and Wolf Studios Wales, to create pathways for a diverse student base to enter the booming TV and Film Industry here in Wales.
Welsh Water offers record number of apprenticeships:
The past month has seen Welsh Water open its 2023 apprenticeship programme, offering a record 50 training opportunities across its water, wastewater, retail and support service teams, in roles that vary from operational and information technology, to process science and customer service.
The not-for-profit company has previously won awards including Best Apprenticeship Scheme from CIPD Wales, as well as accolades for Best Higher Apprenticeship and Top Employer, achieving an 80% retention rate for apprentices since 2018 – testimony to an approach that allows apprentices to pursue a variety of career paths and specialisms.
Past apprentices include current Chief Executive Officer, Pete Perry – with many of the company’s management team similarly joining the enterprise on apprenticeship programmes straight from school.
Since 2012, the company has taken on 243 apprentices – with 178 of those progressing their careers and remaining today as Welsh Water employees – evidencing the facts that apprenticeships represent long-term investments that create a loyal workforce and future-proofed resilience for an organisation.....
To read the blog in full please select the following link The latest in Skills & Talent across South East Wales - Venture (venturewales.org)