Summary of Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership Manufacturing & Engineering Cluster Meeting

Apr 2

The 5th Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership Manufacturing & Engineering Cluster meeting, held on March 4th, brought together key stakeholders to discuss progress and initiatives in the region's skills development landscape. Ceri Stephens, in her capacity as Chair of the Manufacturing & Engineering cluster group and Group Manager of Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, was a key participant in this important gathering.

Key highlights from the meeting included:

1. DWP Update: The Department for Work and Pensions provided an overview of support available in the region, including work trials, which aim to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers.

2. NPTC Career Resources: NPTC Group of Colleges introduced their new Careers portal and Work Experience portal, enhancing access to career guidance and practical experience opportunities for students.

3. Cluster Activity Progress:

Personal Learning Account (PLA) Review: The cluster feedback has enabled updating the PLA with new digital and green courses, and added a course search function to improve accessibility.

4. Skills Plan Data Review: The group examined data relevant to the regional skills plan, ensuring alignment with current industry needs.
Schools Engagement: Research was conducted into engineering delivery across the region, and a focus on careers guidance through the "One Step North" initiative.

5. Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) Projects: The meeting highlighted good support for the manufacturing and engineering sector through various SPF-funded programmes.

This meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to align skills development with industry needs in Mid Wales, particularly in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

The collaboration between education providers, government agencies, and industry representatives like Ceri continues to drive progress in addressing the region's skills challenges and opportunities.

You can find out more about the various cluster groups and the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership here Regional Skills Partnership - Regional Skills Partnership