The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership (RLSP) hosted an inspiring one-day event that brought together key stakeholders from government, education, and industry to explore the future of employability and skills in Wales. Designed to ignite innovation and drive sustainable success in local businesses, the event offered a dynamic platform for collaboration, insight, and action. Key message of the day was partnership working and improvement of skills to meet future demands for the region.
Held in the village hotel Swansea, the event was opened by Mark John, Chair of the CJC Private Sector Group, who highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships in driving regional growth. Neil Surman, Deputy Director of Skills at the Welsh Government, followed with a strategic overview of current priorities, reiterating the government’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
James Owen, Chief Executive of Medr, delivered a keynote on creating an inclusive tertiary education system in Wales and focused on the review of the Apprenticeship programme in 2027. Ed Tomp, Chair of the Celtic Freeport Board, then highlighted the transformative potential of the Celtic Freeport initiative and its significance for regional development.
Two interactive workshops offered attendees practical insights into emerging trends: “Why Should Businesses Adopt AI” featured experts from Perago, Jenkins and Davies, Code Institute, and Bic Innovation, exploring how artificial intelligence can boost productivity and innovation.
“Every Job is a Green Job” taken by leaders from the Welsh Government, The Crown Estate, and the Green Academy to discuss embedding sustainability across all sectors.
The event also featured two thought-provoking panel discussions: “Floating Offshore Wind” looking at the opportunities and challenges of this growing sector and the opportunities for the supply chain from the key projects. The second was “Empowering Everyone: Developing Skills for Net Zero Priorities” which looked at inclusive pathways to green careers and the importance of equitable access to training.
The afternoon sessions brought inspiration from Stuart Toomey of 1 Step North who introduced “Careers in 360,” showcasing immersive technologies for career exploration and employer engagement. Geraint Thomas of Moody Cow closed the day with “Get Energised!”, a call to embrace self-sufficiency in business.
RLSP Manager Jane Lewis reflected on the event’s success: “It’s great to have an event like this to showcase all the exciting opportunities within our region and for all the businesses to come together and take up opportunities to network .”