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.

WEF sign

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