Welsh firms to benefit from streamlined approach
A Memorandum of Understanding signed today will help
technology driven businesses tackle skills issues that are costing
the Welsh economy around £30 million in lost
productivity.
The agreement between Semta, and the Welsh Electronics Forum
means the two organizations, which together represent more than
100,000 employees in more than 6,000 companies in Wales, will
collaborate to ensure a unified industry-led approach to business
support and representation.
The Memorandum will see the Welsh Electronics Forum and Semta
develop world-class recruitment practices and workforce skills. It
will give Wales the confidence to speak up and shape the UK skills
agenda.
Said Sir Alan Jones of Toyota, chairman of Semta: “Our research
estimates that hard-to-fill vacancies in the engineering industry
cost the Welsh economy £30 million in lost productivity last
year.
“Our role is to ensure that science, engineering, manufacturing
and technology companies in Wales can skill up to be more
competitive and continually repond to the changing needs of
employers. So we want to forge partnerships with those
organisations which have a real understanding of these sectors and
the skills needed to deliver real economic benefit.”
In Wales the Information, Communications, Technology and
Telecoms industry alone provides nearly 27,000 high quality jobs
and contributes 2% to Welsh GVA. This sizeable contribution makes
it essential that it is not overlooked according to Dr Drew Nelson,
President of IQE plc and Chairman of the Welsh Electronics
Forum.
“The information, communications, technology and telecoms
industry is a key enabler for every other sector of the Welsh
economy. Ensuring its success, we believe, will also create a real
‘One Wales’ partnership to the benefit of each business and
employee.
“The Memorandum with Semta demonstrates the Forum’s commitment
to supporting the growth, development and sustainability of
technology driven businesses in Wales. By working together, we can
help these businesses tackle challenges such as skills in a
streamlined and sustainable way and ensure that we continue to act
on the challenges identified by the industry itself; thereby
helping to secure its future.”
Working with the Forum, Semta will adopt a three-year plan,
supporting the Assembly's "Skills that Work for Wales" strategy for
skills and employment, to:
- improve the match between skills supply and demand
- upskill those with no qualifications (estimated at about 11,000
people or 11% of the Welsh engineering workforce)
- improve management and leadership skills
- tackle issues relating to gender imbalance and to an ageing
workforce.
- ensure that Welsh business skills keep pace with employers’
needs in a rapidly changing world.
L-R: Dr Chris Young, Chief Executive, Welsh Electronics Forum,
Dr Drew Nelson, President of IQE plc and Chairman of the Welsh
Electronics Forum, John Griffiths AM Deputy Minister for Skills,
National Assembly for Wales, Sir Alan Jones, Chairman of Semta,
Philip Whiteman, Chief Executive of Semta
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Semta
Semta is the employer-led skills council for Science,
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK. The sectors
it represents are: Aerospace, Automotive, Bioscience, Electrical,
Electronics, Maintenance, Marine, Mathematics, Mechanical, Metals
and Engineered Metal Products and Science. Its role is to raise the
skills levels and competitiveness in the 76,000 companies and 1.4
million-strong workforce that make up these sectors.
Its offices in Wales are in Bridgend and St Asaph.
About the Welsh Electronics Forum:
In Wales the Information, Communications, Technology and
Telecoms industry consists of more than 600 companies. The
information, communications, technology and telecoms industry is a
key enabler for every other sector of the Welsh economy making:
- carbon neutrality achievable
- telemedicine in the community more accessible
- financial transactions more secure
- gaming more realistic
- space exploration possible
- homeland security more effective
- retail stock management just-in-time
Promoting worldwide confidence in Welsh technology, telecoms,
electronics, semiconductors, IT and software, the Welsh Electronics
Forum reflects the progressive and vibrant nature of Wales’ most
exciting industry. Speaking with a single, unified voice, and
harnessing the skills and synergy of its members, the Forum
champions the industry and provides support for the challenges it
faces.
www.welsh-electronics.com
Media contact:
Marianna Marks on marianna@mandmcomms.com or 079 5869 0659