Futurescape 2

Building on the success of Futurescape, this new project shifts its focus to an older cohort. Futurescape 2 will specifically target pupils in years’ 10 and 11 who are a risk of becoming NEET. Working closely with industry, Learners will work in teams to create and manage their own mini construction businesses, navigating a series of live, challenge-based scenarios provided directly by construction sector partners. These scenarios, from rising material costs to on-site safety incidents and shifting client deadlines, mirror authentic challenges in the modern workplace and are designed to simulate high-pressure environments while encouraging critical thinking and resilience. Outputs include; 160 individuals gaining a qualification and a framework created

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SEMICON WEST – Semiconductor Skills, Education and Re-training in West Wales

The key aim of this innovative pilot project is to enhance the skills pipeline within the semiconductor industry, focusing on upskilling participants across educational levels from primary to higher education and reskilling industry professionals. The partnership of Swansea University and CSconnected seeks to foster greater awareness of semiconductor technologies and career opportunities in the semiconductor sector and related supply chain. This project will specifically target career pathway development, re-training and re-skilling in the Swansea Bay City region, extending activities aligned with the Compound Semiconductor Cluster. In 2024, the semiconductor industry was valued at approximately £600 billion. Within this, the Welsh semiconductor sector generates around $1 billion in turnover and supports about 2,600 direct jobs. This industry and its associated supply chains in Wales are projected to rapidly expand driven by a rapidly increasing demand for skilled workers. Outputs include; 50 apprenticeships created, 100 upskilled individuals, 160 individuals with additional skills, 700 career pathway opportunities developed in schools, 3500 pupils engaged, 50 jobs created , 2 new frameworks developed, and 2 centres of excellence created.

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Future-Ready Skills—Harnessing AI and Environmental Standards for a Healthier, Smarter Workforce

This project presents an ambitious, business-led initiative to transform workforce skills across Southwest Wales by delivering two interconnected qualification pathways: one focused on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and the other on Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy in Health and Social Care. These two sectors, though seemingly distinct, are united by a shared need for future-ready skills, digital competence, and a proactive response to both regulatory change and innovation.

The project tackles long-term regional challenges: economic inactivity, poor housing stock, and rising social care demand, by embedding cutting-edge knowledge and practice into sectors that touch the daily lives of every resident. While distinct in content, both strands are connected by a vision for a digitally fluent, agile, and confident workforce that can drive better health, housing, and economic outcomes for the region. This innovative approach reflects what employers, industry bodies, and public service leaders across Southwest Wales are calling for: joined-up, practical, and forward-looking skills programmes that don’t rely solely on traditional college routes. By engaging directly with employers and representative bodies, rather than relying solely on education institutions, this project becomes more agile, more embedded, and more reflective of what today’s workforce needs. Outputs include 400 higher skilled individuals and 2 new frameworks created.

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NET ZERO WALES – Manufacturing Energy Environment (N0W MEE)

The N0W MEE pilot project is a comprehensive programme designed to upskill the Swansea Bay City Deal region’s workforce, ensuring they are prepared to support Wales’ transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. This project focuses on three key areas: renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. Working closely with schools, Further Education and Higher Education institutions, the project not only addresses the immediate skills gap but also builds a long-term pipeline of talent for the future. A central feature of the project is the skills escalator, which provides a structured pathway for participants to progress from foundational knowledge to advanced expertise, meeting the needs of diverse learners and industry requirements. Outputs will include 325 higher skilled individuals, and 6 new frameworks created.

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Green Work Experience

The Green Work Experience Project is a crucial initiative that practically addresses the Net Zero Agenda. It offers onsite placements to participants with coordinated learning and mentoring support throughout. Working closely with local businesses it will build awareness and routes into net zero construction. It covers both new build and retrofit and includes the new technologies such as heat source pumps, solar, thermal and other renewables that reduce energy and carbon emissions. It will equip the participants with an understanding of the new skills and technology that will allow them to thrive in the net zero environment. Outputs include: 80 Higher skills individuals, 80 Apprenticeships created, 20 Jobs created.

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Advancing Skills in Technology and Robotics Applications (ASTRA)

This project sees the establishment of a cutting-edge Automation Lab within Neath Port Talbot College to address the evolving needs of the region’s engineering sector. It will support the development of new units in the current curriculum, specifically around smart factory and logic controllers. Working closely with local industry, this will allow students to be exposed to advanced equipment and tools giving them a hands-on, clear career pathway and progression opportunities in this new technology. Outputs include: 20 higher skilled individuals, 20 individuals with additional skills.

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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 include: 80 Higher skilled individuals.

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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 include: 450 Higher Skilled Individuals.

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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 include: 12 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification,1 New Pathway opportunity developed, 1 New/updated Course frameworks developed.

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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 include: 50 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification,1 New Pathway opportunity developed, 3 New/updated Course frameworks developed.

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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 include: 40 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification,1173 individuals benefitting from increased learning, 1 New Pathway opportunity developed, 1 New/updated Course frameworks developed.

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Renewable Horizons

This innovative STEM education project focuses on the renewable energy industry, with particular emphasis on the growing offshore wind generation and solar farm sector. Working closely with industry partners, the project will design a new qualification for Key Stage 3 learners covering themes and skills that will act as an entry point to the renewable energy sector. The project will engage 40 schools across the region to deliver this unique hands-on learning experience and inspire learners to expand their knowledge of the sector and the range of opportunities it can offer. Outputs include: 1 Career Pathway Developed, 1 New Framework Developed, 800 pupils engaged with additional skills.

 

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 include: 500 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification, 2 New/updated Course frameworks developed.

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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 include: 450 Higher Skilled Individuals gaining a qualification.

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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 include: 120 Higher skilled individuals gaining qualifications,1 Career pathway opportunity developed.

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