Welsh Government employability update

Dec 17, 2021

The new Programme for Government sets out ambitions to create a Wales where individuals of all ages can receive a high-quality education, with jobs for all, where businesses can thrive in a net zero economy that champions fairness and equality.

It also includes commitments to Strengthen the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework and to deliver the Young Person’s Guarantee.

Read the updated Programme for Government on the Welsh Government website

Building on the consultation that took place earlier in the year with stakeholders and young people, work is underway to update the Framework, for publication in the spring of 2022. This will include incorporating support for emotional mental health and wellbeing and the prevention of youth homelessness. The revised Framework will also set out how it fits with and supports the Young Person’s Guarantee and other national and strategic priorities.

Read the Refresh of the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework Consultation Report on the Welsh Government website.

Whilst the targets and ambitions of the current Employability Plan are still relevant, we recognise that the delivery, funding and economic context has changed significantly.  The challenges around economic inequality have deepened, the Covid 19 crisis has brought into sharper focus the structural changes to the quality and nature of employment, particularly insecure and low paid employment.  Although forecasts for the labour market recovery have improved markedly, there remain potential headwinds for the labour market, particularly around risks of business failure, the impacts of Brexit and labour market disadvantage.

We are currently working on a revised Employability Strategy that will need to adopt a flexible approach to take account of the shifts in the labour market, the change in the delivery landscape as a consequence of expanded UK Government and DWP intervention in Wales and implications of ESF rundown and Shared Prosperity Fund deployment.  It will also support the new of National Milestones that set ambitious targets for labour market related activity, and galvanise action around the Young Person’s Guarantee.

We also recognise the important part the Welsh Government has to play in ensuring that skills is a key enabler for our Net Zero journey.  We will do this through the development of a Net Zero Wales Skills Action Plan, with ambitions to publish it in the Spring of 2022.

We will work with all key players and stakeholders to ensure we develop appropriate solutions and timely interventions as we transition to a green and just economy.