Push to train Welsh apprentices

The new apprenticeships hope to offer 14,000 training places in Wales

A new apprenticeship scheme is to be introduced in some of Wales' poorest areas.

�70m will be spent on creating more than 14,000 training places to improve the skills of the workforce.

The three-year project will target parts of Wales which already receive money from the European social fund.

The Welsh Assembly Government says it will help achieve its goal of 80% of adults in Wales having basic literacy skills.

Without this course I would never have gained the skills required for a career in this industry John Baker, apprentice

Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths said the scheme would "equip many thousands of people with the skills they need to progress in employment, meet the skills needs of employers and drive forward Wales' economy."

He added: "One Wales makes a strong commitment to increasing the number of apprenticeships in Wales.

"This new Modern Apprenticeship project will help to achieve our goals of ensuring 70% of working age adults in Wales have qualifications equivalent to level two or above and 80% have basic literacy skills by 2010."

In total, �40m of European cash will be targeted in areas of west Wales and the south Wales valleys, with the assembly government matching most of that funding.

The scheme, called Modern Apprenticeship World Class Skills, hopes to help raise skill levels for 22,500 people, and provide 14,000 training places.

A further �3.5m will be spent on developing a Modern Skills diploma offering more than a 1,000 people the chance to improve vocational and managerial talents.

The Education Minister, Jane Hutt added: "This is wonderful news for Wales - investment in skills is investment in our future.

"As a government we are committed to improving skill levels and our 'Skills that Work for Wales' strategy sets out our vision for raising the skill levels of Wales' workforce."

Opportunity

One person who has already been through the modern apprenticeship programme is John Baker.

The 23-year-old was taken on by General Electric at its aerospace plant near Caerphilly. He said he is convinced thousands more will benefit from the latest project.

"Undertaking the Modern Apprenticeship has given me practical skills and hands on experience," he explained.

"Without this course I would never have gained the skills required for a career in this industry.

"The fact that many of my senior colleagues started in this way shows the value of the scheme and how it can genuinely improve career prospects."

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