Latest news with #JenniferBaxter
Business News Wales
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Time to Back What We're Brilliant At
Wales doesn't always shout about its strengths, but perhaps it's time we did. We know that, economically, Wales sits below the UK average in terms of overall value. That's a challenge we're working hard to overcome. But within that bigger picture, there are areas where we don't just compete, we lead. And one of those is manufacturing. Wales is around 20% stronger than the other UK nations when it comes to the value of our manufacturing output. That's not necessarily because we do more of it, it's because what we do is worth more. The expertise, the specialisms, the quality, these are all assets we already have. And they matter. Manufacturing is the quiet backbone of the Welsh economy. Whether it's components for aerospace, parts for offshore energy, or products for the pharmaceutical industry, we're already embedded in supply chains that stretch across the UK, Europe and beyond. And that puts us in a strong position to attract further investment, from companies who want to build new technologies, new facilities, and new futures in Wales. If an investor is looking to develop, say, an arc furnace, a floating offshore wind platform or a life sciences facility, we can point to the companies already here, already delivering, already proving that Wales is a safe and capable pair of hands. We have the infrastructure, the knowledge, and crucially, the track record. But we don't always tell that story well enough. As a nation, we tend to be humble, quietly proud, but rarely loud. And while that modesty has its place, it's not always helpful when we're trying to compete for attention, funding or inward investment. We should be shouting about our strengths, our pilot programmes, our innovations. We should be making more noise about what we do best. That's not just about external messaging, either. It's about helping our own communities understand what's on their doorstep. Too often, I hear stories of young people who live a mile from a major manufacturing site but have no idea what goes on inside, or what careers might be open to them. We've lost some of that community-to-industry connection that was once strong in Wales, when generations worked in the same steelworks, or passed on knowledge from one pit to the next. We need to rebuild that visibility, that pride, and that pipeline of opportunity. Because ultimately, this isn't just about jobs. It's about improving lives. It's about anchoring our economy in something real, sustainable, and valuable, and making sure the benefits of that are felt in every part of Wales. We already know what we're good at. Now's the time to back it, and say it, proudly. Dr Jennifer Baxter talks about this and more in the recent Net Zero Industries Wales podcast episode 'The Green Economy – Investing in Skills and Workforce for a Net Zero Future' listen to the podcast HERE
Business News Wales
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Who's Holding the Map? Making Skills Work for Wales
When we talk about skills in Wales, we're not short on effort or passion. Across the country, there are people working hard, in colleges, in companies, in government, to equip the next generation with the tools they need to succeed. But when you step back and look at the big picture, a question remains: who's holding the map? Wales has a rich skills ecosystem. We have regional skills partnerships across the Southeast, Southwest, North and Mid Wales, each doing valuable work to identify what local employers need and how to respond. We have Medr, the new organisation overseeing qualifications and apprenticeships, building the frameworks that can help deliver future-ready skills. We have a school curriculum that is evolving to reflect a changing world. And we have the Flexible Skills Fund, which supports people to upskill while in work, allowing them to grow and adapt as industries change. All of this is good. But it's also fragmented. What we lack is central leadership, a coordinated approach that aligns all these efforts with a clear, long-term vision for the Welsh economy. Because the real challenge isn't just delivering skills. It's connecting them, to each other, to industry, and to the future we want to build. Too often, we talk about skills in isolation, a report here, a funding pot there, a new qualification over there. But without a joined-up view of what our future industrial landscape looks like, and how our people fit into it, we risk doing a lot of good work without making the impact we need. The truth is, we already know much of what's required. We've seen the skills reports, year after year. They tell us we need stronger financial capabilities, more design and construction professionals, and more technical talent across digital, engineering, and green sectors. We need to retain and grow businesses here in Wales, not just their production arms, but their HQ functions too: HR, finance, R&D, and leadership. To get there, we need to start thinking more holistically. That means building industrial pathways, not just individual programmes. It means asking, where are the gaps, and how do we plug them in a way that delivers real, lasting value? It also means looking at movement, not just of young people entering the workforce, but of adults transitioning into new roles, upskilling within their companies, or reskilling entirely. Skills shouldn't be seen as a one-time injection, but a lifelong process, one that's responsive to change and supported by a system that knows where it's going. At the moment, our ecosystem is full of potential, but lacking precision. If we want to build an economy fit for the future, we need leadership that can connect the dots, align the players, and give everyone, from students to CEOs, a clearer sense of direction. It's time to stop just asking 'what skills do we need?' and start asking 'how do we make it happen?' Dr Jennifer Baxter talks about this and more in the recent Net Zero Industries Wales podcast episode 'The Green Economy – Investing in Skills and Workforce for a Net Zero Future' listen to the podcast HERE
