The Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent

The Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent

The Skills and Talent programme delivers a regional solution for the identification and delivery of the skills and training requirements for the 8 Swansea Bay City Deal Projects and the wider investment projects that will be generated through the City Deal.  The programme is specifically focusing on existing needs and future requirements in the following priority sectors:

  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Smart Manufacturing
  • Green Construction
  • Energy
  • Digital

Working alongside partners from the private sector, higher and further education, work-based learning training providers, schools and the third sector, the project team have in the Skills Barometer mapped out gaps in current provision and established the skills and training needed for students, teachers and lecturers and the current workforce, both now and in the future.

Pilot Projects

The Skills and Talent programme offers an opportunity for organisations including education and private sector training providers to apply for funding to develop pilot projects to upskill or deliver new training over a period of 2 years.  The projects must meet one of the priority sectors identified and will need to meet the objectives of the programme.

The Programme has already approved a number of pilot projects, here are summaries to give you an idea of what projects have been funded.

Pilot Project Summaries

Developing a Learning Pathway in Engineering and IT fields

This project sees two Welsh Medium schools in the region (Maes Y Gwendraeth & Bro Myrddin) along with University of Wales Trinity St David working closely together to address a specific skills gap. It offers students the opportunity to achieve a previously unavailable level 2 & 3 qualifications in Engineering and Digital Studies through the medium of Welsh. By working in partnership with the University, the students will gain a greater awareness of the opportunities the sector can provide and help them develop more practical skills using the equipment, and research undertaken by the University. It also provides the opportunity to practice with equipment within the schools, allowing a seamless transition to higher education.

Outputs

403 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

4 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Dr Llinos Jones Bro Myrddin Llinos.Jones@bromyrddin.org

Pembrokeshire Passport to Employment

The Award winning Pembrokeshire Passport to Employment brings together students and businesses who 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, and will introduce primary and secondary aged pupils towards a career in the ever growing renewable energy sector. It is taught collaboratively between industry, schools and Pembrokeshire college.

 

Outputs

1730 individuals benefiting from increased learning

30 Higher skilled individuals gaining qualifications

2 New Career Pathways opportunities developed.

3 New/updated Course Frameworks developed.

View Case Study

Arwyn Williams A.Williams@Pembrokeshire.ac.uk

Low Carbon Net Zero Awareness Raising

The issue of carbon reduction in the construction industry is fast developing and much needed, and those with the right skills will be very much in demand. Working closely with the regions Schools and colleges, the low Carbon Net Zero Awareness Raising Project led by Cyfle, who specialise in providing Building Skills Apprenticeships. This region wide project will address the growing need for awareness of net zero and low carbon technologies in the construction sector by introducing industry relevant carbon reduction training.

Outputs

2400 individuals benefiting from increased learning

4 New/updated course frameworks developed

View Case Study

Anthony Rees anthony.rees@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Nurturing Health & Wellbeing in a Digital Sector

The digital health care sector is of critical importance and is a huge growth area, which provides many rewarding careers within the region and beyond. Led by Gowerton Comprehensive School, the innovative Nurturing Health & Wellbeing in a Digital Sector Project is working with schools in the city of Swansea. This will teach 3 -16 year old pupils about life science, health and sports sectors including the development of new technologies to support a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

Outputs

12,016 Individuals benefiting from increased learning

1 New career pathway opportunities developed

1 New/updated course framework developed

View Case Study

Sue Davies DaviesS56@Hwbcymru.net

Careers in the Digital Sector

Careers in the Digital Sector focuses on the identified need to increase the digital skills of young people to enable them to take advantage of the exciting opportunities within the creative industries, increasing both their digital knowledge and understanding of the importance of digital technologies. This project is delivered by Neath & Port Talbot Council working closely with Yr Egin, Swansea University, Swansea City Waterfront and Digital District, NPTC colleges and a range of private companies to develop career pathway opportunity to attain jobs in this exciting and fast paced sector.

Outputs

170 Higher Skilled individuals gaining a qualification

1900 Individuals benefiting from increased learning

1 New career pathway opportunities developed

View Case Study

Karen Thomas k.thomas5@npt.gov.uk

21st Century Skills

The 21st Century Skills project is developing a practical hands-on, work experience offer for learners. The pilot project is working closely with the construction company Bouygues at their Pentre Awel site to develop a, sustainable Careers and Work Related Experience model. The project is inspiring pupils from Bryngywn, Coedcae, St John Lloyd, Strade and Penrhos primary school to understand and develop the skills required to not only work, but to thrive in the 21st Century Construction sector.

Outputs

1669 Individuals benefiting from increased learning

1 New career pathway opportunities developed

1 New/updated course framework developed

View Case Study

Julian Dessent jdessent@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Battery Manufacturing Skills

Battery manufacturing is a fast growing industry with far reaching implications across all sectors. The Battery Manufacturing Skills project will establish a framework of short professional development courses designed to responding to a skill gap in battery manufacturing and related industries. Delivered in collaboration with private sector organisations, this pilot is building on the skill gaps in the battery manufacturing and supply chain providing training, upskilling, and reskilling to higher skilled students and the local workforce.

Outputs

25 Higher Skilled individuals gaining a qualification

4 New/updated course framework developed

Professor Serena Margadonna S.Margadonna@Swansea.ac.uk

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/science-and-engineering/

N0W skills

The Net Zero Wales pilot has developed a framework of short micro credential courses designed to address the increasing issue of the green skills gap in manufacturing related industries both in the private and public sectors. This innovative range of courses will help to build knowledge and skills in this crucial area and develop career pathways to support Wales in meeting the national net zero goal.

Outputs

70 Higher skilled individuals gaining qualifications

6 new/updated course frameworks developed.

Dr Khalil Khan k.khan@swansea.ac.uk

https://netzeroskills.wales/

How Green was my Valley

This engaging pilot project is developing the digital upskilling of teachers and PGCE students across the region. Using the medium of the popular Minecraft game and with a focus on Net Zero, the project is providing in-depth teacher training sessions in the key areas of digital, construction and energy. It will help the teachers and students further engage with primary school children and increase the number of pupils following the STEM subjects in FE and HE.

Outputs

500 Higher Level Qualifications

Create a Career Pathway for 10,000 pupils

Dean Garza dean.garza@aspire2be.co.uk

5G Technologies Training

Working closely with industry, the focus of this pilot project is on upskilling businesses and their employees in the region with higher level skills in the rapidly expanding area of 5G technologies helping them take advantage of the opportunities it presents. This Pilot project will address the current lack of awareness, by providing the knowledge needed to enable businesses within the region to fully understand 5G’s structure and operability. The training will also be available to people who are currently unemployed, as well as students and people who are looking at a potential career change.

Outputs

120 Higher skilled individuals gaining qualifications

1 Career pathway opportunity developed

Chris Rees Chris.rees@uwtsd.ac.uk

Futurescape

The Young Dragons – Futurescape Pilot project will introduce pupils to the construction industry using a combination of Virtual Reality and hands-on experience. Using realistic workplace scenarios, the project will help develop key employability skills such as problem solving and creative thinking, as well as enabling the application of maths, science and enterprise skills.

Outputs

800 Individuals benefitting from increased learning

1 New Pathway opportunity developed

Dave Kieft dave@eftconsult.co.uk

VR/AR Technologies Training Project

This Pilot project will promote the use of VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality), and the exciting benefits it can bring to the region’s business community. Working closely with industry, this project will design a VR training centre to provide a platform to deliver an exciting learning experience to the region through blended learning, on-line or face to face learning environments. The training will also be available to school leavers, currently unemployed, as well as students and career changers.

Outputs

500 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

2 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Chris Rees Chris.rees@uwtsd.ac.uk

ECITB – Advanced industrial Drone Course

The industrial sector’s growing use of drones (UAS) in its operations is delivering a range of benefits, from improved safety to increased efficiency and significant cost savings. This crucial project will provide the advanced accredited training for pilots to be able to undertake inspection flights required for regular inspection and identification of plant and equipment in industrial settings.

Outputs

12 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

1 New Pathway opportunity developed

1 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Reg Rudd reg.rudd@ecitb.org.uk

SPARC

SPARC is an innovative pilot project which will encourage females into careers in underrepresented industries across Pembrokeshire. Working closely with schools and industry, the project will work to empower and inspire young women to consider and pursue careers in sustainable power, renewables, engineering and construction to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce for the future.

Outputs

40 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

1173 individuals benefitting from increased learning

1 New Pathway opportunity developed

1 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Arwyn Williams A.Williams@Pembrokeshire.ac.uk

Future Skills for Land & Sea

This project directly addresses a skills need in the region’s growing maritime sector. It will develop a 2 year programme of Pre-Cadetship in maritime studies, delivering courses in maritime specific qualifications and visits to industry. On completion of the programme learners will be offered direct entry onto a fully funded Officer Cadetship. The project will also develop pathways in schools to engage learners with the STEM aspects of marine renewable energy including: renewable energy technologies and project development processes for wave, tidal, onshore wind, solar and offshore wind.

Outputs

294 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

1 New Pathway opportunity created

3 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Arwyn Williams A.Williams@Pembrokeshire.ac.uk

Construct Net Zero – Not business as usual

Construct Net Zero – Not business as usual will provide a range of innovative courses in energy-saving building techniques, delivered by industry experts with a combination of practical and theoretical work education at various levels. Based on ‘Fabric First’ design, the project will work closely with partners in industry, higher and further education, schools and the third sector to establish the training need and build a unified Net-Zero construction curriculum across the whole spectrum from Level 1 to Level 7. This project will enable the region to pioneer a proposed integrated education and skills matrix that will support its’ built environment and help achieve its’ decarbonisation targets.

Outputs

450 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

Gareth Evans gareth.w.evans@uwtsd.ac.uk

Swansea University AGOR skills – Sport Health and Wellbeing

This Pilot Project addresses the skills gap in the rapidly growing sector of Sport, Health and Wellbeing. It will take advantage of the wealth of opportunities arising around the City Deal Campuses and the Pentre Awel development. Working closely with businesses, this exciting project offers a collaborative environment for online and in-person learning, hosting innovative courses, explainers and events for a range of market led, sector focused skills. It will connect learners, educators and the organisations who will require their skills.

Outputs

50 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification

1 New Pathway opportunity developed

3 New/updated Course frameworks developed

Gareth Davies g.h.davies@swansea.ac.uk

Fit for Offshore Renewables Wales

Ore Catapult Fit for Offshore Renewables (F40R) project will provide a unique service to help prepare the regions supply chain to bid for work in the ever growing and competitive offshore renewable energy sector. It will support a wide range of the region’s businesses to develop or diversify into the sector both locally and globally, offering tailored advice and the opportunity to grow a network of supply chain contacts. Once the company is F4OR ‘granted’, it will be promoted to industry contacts who would be potential future customers. This project will ensure that the region has the supply chain and skills necessary to deliver on it’s renewable energy targets.

Outputs

80 Higher skilled Individuals

Davood Sabaei davood.sabaei@ore.catapult.org.uk

Energy Transition Hub

This UK first will see the establishment of a Control Room Operator facility based in Pembrokeshire College. With a room capable of training groups of 24 learners, including students and existing workforce, the facility will accurately emulate the environment seen in all major energy plants in the region. This will include both current facilities such as Oil refinery, LNG plants, Power Station and Food and Drink facilities, as well as future plants such as Offshore Floating Wind and Hydrogen plants. This unique training facility will enable individuals who are looking to work in these sectors to gain an understanding of how the Control Room Controls and operates the plant.

Outputs

450 Higher Skilled Individuals

Arwyn Williams a.williams@pembrokeshire.ac.uk

Hydrogen Safe

This pilot project will develop and deliver innovative training courses for the region’s rapidly growing hydrogen industry using cutting-edge 360-degree immersive filming techniques. It addresses the skills gap in the region’s hydrogen industry and will help develop a skilled workforce, better able to compete on the global stage. This project will also have a significant impact on the hydrogen industry in the region by attracting new investment and promoting the industry to a global audience.

For more information

contact Samantha Cutlan, Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Programme Manager: scutlan@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or Jane Lewis, Regional Partnership Manager, JELewis@carmarthenshire.gov.uk