Article

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Benefits Communities with Investment in 16 Skills based Projects!

23 August 2024

The UK Shared Prosperity Funding for projects across Neath Port Talbot is aimed at enhancing core skills, aiding workforce progression, reducing economic inactivity, and addressing local skills gaps. The projects, spanning various sectors and areas of Neath Port Talbot, are designed to empower individuals and communities of varying ages, fostering economic resilience and prosperity, and encompass a wide range of initiatives tailored to the specific needs of local communities.

Among the ‘Skills’ projects funded under this category, are initiatives such as ‘Digital Inclusion & Enablement’ by Neath Port Talbot Council, aimed at reducing digital inequality and enhancing access to digital technologies for disadvantaged groups, which enhance daily living, ageing well, and supporting digitally excluded citizens to access services they need. Additionally, the ‘Pathways to Skills’ project by The Prince's Trust, Cymru, seeks to engage and support economically inactive young people in Neath Port Talbot, providing essential life skills and employability training.

Furthermore, the investment extends to projects, like SWITCH-On Skills by Swansea University, which focuses on delivering skills required to support decarbonisation and sustainable manufacturing, and Technocamps which focuses on the rising in-demand digital sector skills, such as digital and web technologies, machine learning, cyber security, coding and software testing.

Meanwhile, the ‘Skills Ranger’ scheme by Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges, is aimed at linking skills development with local career opportunities, such as the planned Wildfox Resorts Group Ltd in the Afan Valley. Whilst Coed Lleol-Small Woods (CLSW) Skills project works with those furthest from the employment market by establishing and developing accessible outdoor, learning activities and skills, improving woodlands and knowledge of the local environment in Neath Port Talbot, providing learning and nature-based programmes, providing courses to inspire people to move towards environmental ‘green’ careers.

Neath Port Talbot Councillor Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, said:

"I look forward to seeing the positive impact of the 16 Skills projects, made possible through UKSPF funding administered by Neath Port Talbot Council. These initiatives are empowering our community, equipping individuals with essential skills for employment and personal development and ultimately, fostering a brighter future for our region."

The diversity and scope of these projects highlights the commitment of the UKSPF to support inclusive growth and prosperity across Wales. By investing in skills development and workforce progression, the UKSPF aims to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and drive economic prosperity for all.

The full list of Skills initiatives funded by UKSPF and administered by NPTC is as follows:

1. Digital Inclusion – Neath Port Talbot Council

2. Developing People for the future – Neath Port Talbot Council

3. Pathways to progression – Neath Port Talbot Council

4. Technocamps – Swansea University

5. SWITCH-On Skills - Swansea University

6. Route to Care - MMI Trading with Care

7. Pathways to Skills – NPT (P2S) - The Prince's Trust, Cymru

8. Connecting People, Nature and Place through skills and training - Coed Lleol-Small Woods

9. Digital Technology Learning Support Network (DTLSN) - Cardiff Metropolitan University and Swansea University.

10. Essential Skills in the Workplace - Inspire Training

11. The Digital Skills Hub - Whitehead-Ross Education and Consulting Ltd