An innovative £3.8m scheme to help young people in North West Wales move up the career ladder and succeed within their communities has been given the go-ahead, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced today (24 February).
Gwynedd Council’s Llwyddo’n Lleol project will benefit 10,000 young people across Anglesey, Denbighshire, Conwy as well as Gwynedd.
Llwyddo’n Lleol – which means ‘Succeeding Locally’ – will provide bursaries of up to £1,000 to help them pursue enterprising ideas and develop the skills they need to set up their own ventures. The bursaries can be used to assist with developing projects, training costs, buying new equipment or even renting business premises.
The local authority led project will target 11-19 year olds across the region and is backed with £2.6m from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government.
Llwyddo’n Lleol will provide a series of unique learning activities such as creative arts to tackle and change negative perceptions of local opportunities, as well as offering entrepreneurship modules. Developed and trialled in Gwynedd in association with Bangor University, these modules will prepare young people with the skills to help them set up their own venture or project, including business planning and financial management.
Youngsters will also be given support and confidence to help them identify work opportunities, make the transition into employment and cultivate a career path that will enable them to succeed within their own communities – all in a range of settings tailored to their needs,.
Mr Jones who is also the Economy and Transport Minister said: “The Llwyddo’n Lleol project helps ensure that young people can secure an exciting future here in North Wales – rather than the old perception that getting on means getting out.
“It will create a culture of enterprise amongst young people – enabling them to develop a ‘Can Do’ mindset and seize employment opportunities. The aim is to encourage our younger generation to see self employment and venture creation as a viable, exciting career choice – one that increases their own prosperity and that of rural economies across North West Wales.”
Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, Lesley Griffiths described it as an exciting project.
“This opens up a wide range of opportunities for young people in North Wales who may never have thought of starting their own business or enterprise.
“It provides them with the practical help, financial support and skills needed to follow a career path they may never have considered before, with the potential to create local jobs, reinvigorate local communities and bring real economic benefits to the region.”
Among other activities on offer will be ‘idea generation’ sessions to help youngsters brainstorm projects that they could go on to establish. They will also be able to develop an awareness of opportunities in sectors within their local areas such as opto-electronics in Denbighshire and the outdoor pursuits, marine sector and creative industries in Gwynedd.
A youth network will also be established to provide a forum for young people in North West Wales to interact as well as generate contacts and new ideas.
Gwynedd Council Leader Councillor Dyfed Edwards said:
“Providing our young people with the right tools so that they can succeed in their own communities is vitally important for our local economy. This new fund will provide young people from across the north west Wales area with expert advice and financial support to establish their own business.”
Councillor Dewi Lewis, who leads on the Economy and Community for Gwynedd Council added:
“This new fund, worth nearly £4 million will build on the success of the previous Llwyddo’n Lleol project in Gwynedd where more than 100 new initiatives were established across the county between 2003 and 2009. We are confident that the new fund can build on that success and deliver tailored advice and support for new businesses across the region.”
Myfanwy Griffith, 22, of Carmel, North Wales, set up her business, Annon, last September with help from Gwynedd’s pilot scheme. After studying at Liverpool University she was determined to return to her home village of Carmel to pursue a career in fashion design. The scheme helped Myfanwy invest in new equipment and identify business premises in Glynllifon from which she now operates.
Myfanwy said: “Without this support it would have taken me a lot longer to become established and I may have had to move out of the area. I am now designing exclusive clothing and jewellery from my base in North Wales and I’m looking forward to a successful
