Coleg Ceredigion, supported by Cynnal y Cardi, has completed a feasibility study with the construction sector in Ceredigion.
Design Your Future is the result of the study. It looked into identifying the skills gap and understand the needs of the local sector. It also looked at analysing and developing new methods of working to satisfy the growing demands of the industry. This was done with a view to develop a curriculum to meet the needs of the sector in Ceredigion.
Kevin Harrington, from Perspectif and Antur Teifi, identified three key areas to support the development of the sector moving forward: Skills shortages, readiness for work and relationship building.
The pinnacle of the completion of the Design Your Future report was a conference where the findings was shared. It also provided an opportunity for different stakeholders within the construction sector to network and provide feedback on how to move forward.
Funded by Cynnal y Cardi and introduced by Ben Lake, MP, the conference included a variety of speakers covering a range of topics. They included Rural Housing by Tai Ceredigion; Regeneration in Ceredigion by Ceredigion County Council; Funding for Self-Build by Development Bank for Wales; Apprenticeships by CITB; and Shared Apprenticeships by Cyfle Building Skills.
Discussions are under way for the next steps, including setting up a network involving key Stakeholders across Ceredigion. This is to address the skills and recruitment shortage within the construction industry. There is also a need to ensure training offered is in line with wider trends and priorities for the sector.
Councilor Rhodri Evans, the Cabinet member with responsibility for Economy and Regeneration said,
“The research from this project is very important for the construction sector in Ceredigion. There are successful elements of the current apprenticeship programme delivery in Ceredigion. However, there is need for improvement through a more coordinated approach between the construction and education sectors. The report and setting up of the network can create a positive and significant change to the construction sector as a whole in Ceredigion and help to strengthen Ceredigion’s economy.”
Cynnal y Cardi, the LEADER Local Action group, aims to support innovative responses to opportunities or challenges faced by rural communities. The Group is administered by Ceredigion County Council and is supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.