The announcement of £30m extension of the Welsh Governments Skills Growth Wales scheme has led AM Lesley Griffiths to hail the scheme a ‘successful model to support growth’, whose return will be ‘warmly welcomed’ by Wrexham businesses.
£17m of the additional funds has been awarded by the European Social Fund matched by funding from the Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government has announced that Skills Growth Wales is to be re- launched with immediate effect, supported by this new funding.
It is expected this will support the creation of 3,000 jobs in the next three years, helping around 200 companies across Wales.
This will complement capital funding available under the Economic Growth Fund announced by Business Minister Edwina Hart in November.
AM for Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths, said of the announcement:
“This announcement comes at a crucial time for many businesses, and will help to create new employment opportunities and support growth in the local economy and wider economy.
“The Skill Growth Wales Scheme showed itself to be a successful model of public private partnership, supporting growth in companies across Wales.
“Before it came to an end in March last year, the scheme helped 90 companies to train over 8,000 employees.
“I know a number of Wrexham companies have benefitted from Welsh Government initiatives such as Skills Growth Wales, ProAct and other schemes. Feedback I have received could not be more positive, and this announcement will be welcomed warmly.
“I will be writing to companies in my constituency who could benefit to make them aware of the Welsh Government assistance they are entitled to. “
The extended Skills Growth Wales scheme will provide training support to Welsh Companies until 31 March 2015 to help companies achieve their growth plans.
