Politicians and policy makers from Yemen and Ethiopia are visiting Wales this week to find out about the Welsh skills sector.
The visit coincides with the UK’s National Skills Strategy seminar (12-15 January), which includes presentations from Welsh education and business experts.
Julie James, deputy minister for skills and technology, will address the conference, explaining to delegates the Welsh Government’s role in supporting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Wales.
“One of the biggest challenges we face as a Welsh Government is ensuring that Wales’s young people have the right skills to ensure that they can maximise their employment prospects,” said Julie James.
“Given the current economic conditions, we cannot continue to be the primary source of funding for skills training. As we have indicated in our new Skills Strategy, we have to share this responsibility, between the Welsh Government, employers and individuals.
“There are over 400,000 young people in Wales and I want every one of them to have the support they need to progress through education and training into employment.”
Conference delegates include the Ethiopian state minister for education and the Egyptian deputy minister for vocational education.
Organised by the British Council, the conference is one of a series that will be held in the UK’s four home nation capitals. This week’s event is hosted by Cardiff and the Vale College, and delegates have the opportunity to visit the college’s International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT) at Cardiff Airport and the Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw.
Jenny Scott, director of British Council Wales, said: “This is the first time the British Council has held one of its international skills conferences in Wales. It’s a chance to showcase the best of the Welsh skills sector and is a testament to the work being done in the sector by Welsh Government, our further education colleges and Welsh business. We’re sure the delegates will take many inspiring ideas from Wales back to their own countries.”
At the conference, delegates will hear from representatives from the Welsh Government, Colleges Wales, Wales and West Utilities, GE Aviation Wales, Careers Wales, Estyn and Bridgend College.
Mike James, principal and chief executive of Cardiff and Vale College, said: “We are absolutely honoured and delighted to host the first British Council internal skills conference to be held in Wales. CAVC is committed to its international work as it is a key growth area for the College and this conference represents a fantastic opportunity for the Welsh further education sector to demonstrate the unique learning opportunities and experiences we have to offer.”
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