Skillset expand into Wales

Skillset have established Skillset Cymru by launching a Wales office and appointing Gwawr Hughes as Skillset Cymru Director.
Over 150 senior industry figures recently gathered to see Welsh Minister for Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, officially launch Skillset Cymru and to celebrate the fact that Skillset now has a direct presence and identity across the UK.
An advisory committee, made up over a dozen senior industry professionals in Wales, will steer the work of Skillset Wales. Huw Jones, Chief Executive of S4C and Skillset Board Member, will Chair the advisory committee.
Jones said: “People throughout the world are buying programming made in Wales and we must ensure that we provide the training that will allow us to remain competitive. That’s what Skillset is all about. We are contributing to the process of looking for Welsh answers to Welsh economic woes. Skillset Cymru will achieve its objectives by listening to what people in the industry tell us. In the establishment of Skillset Cymru there has been genuine consultation and involvement with tremendous understanding of the industry and its needs in Wales both culturally and politically.”
Dinah Caine, Skillset Chief Executive, said: “Now Skillset is one of the first five Sector Skills Councils we have a clear remit to address skills issues in our industry across the four nations of the UK. In order to do this we need a strong presence on the ground in Wales where there are a number of successful clusters of industries from our sector. I know, in Gwawr, we’ve got the right person to take our work forward in Wales.”
Skillset are currently recruiting a Scotland and Northern Ireland Director and English Regional Managers.
(GB)