Welsh Gov receives ECA backing for green skills plan

The Welsh Government has published recommendations from its green skills review, with the plan receiving the backing of the Electrical Contractors Association. 

The ECA contributed to the review through a joint Government–stakeholder group led by Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. The association drew on ECA member’s experience of Wales’ skills system and proposals from its charter to shape the final recommendations. 

The association noted that following the consultation, the package that was released by the Welsh Government aligned with priorities raised by its Member firms and its Recharging Electrical Skills Charter launched at the Senedd last November.

What the review recommends

The Welsh Government’s response sets out commitments to:

• Work with industry to identify, develop and publish ‘Journey to Competence’ pathways for major green skills professions, and formally recognise a ‘built environment sector’ in Wales by year-end.
• Collaborate with Medr, the Regional Skills Partnerships and departments across Government to explore digital tools that collate and streamline skills-mapping activity.
• Review how Green Skills part-time provision is communicated and relaunched, maintaining momentum from Green Personal Learning Accounts and situating them within wider green learning support so they remain relevant in a fast-moving landscape.
• Increase awareness of regional variations in skills needs with industry, Medr and partners, and explore opportunities such as regional skills hubs or cross-sector, industry-led collective funding models.
• Establish a regular Green Skills Stakeholder Engagement Group to test direction and interventions and promote an industry-led approach to provision.

Commenting on the review recommendations, ECA Deputy CEO Andrew Eldred noted, “ECA Members in Wales can take some satisfaction that proposals contained in our Recharging Electrical Skills Charter are resonating now with the Welsh Government.

“Better skills data collection and reporting, a much-needed reboot for green skills provision (with sustained industry input), and above all a stronger and more consistent voice for industry – at both national and regional levels – are all very much to be welcomed.

“Electricians and the businesses which employ them are central to the green skills revolution. ECA, our Members and industry partners will continue to offer all the support and assistance we can to the Welsh Government, Medr, Regional Skills Partnerships, and whoever else is interested in working with us to improve electrical and wider green skills outcomes in Wales.”