New college courses for jobs in the green economy

The funding is part of the Welsh Government’s Personal Learning Accounts programme, which supports people in lower-income jobs to retrain and move into longer term, skilled jobs with higher earnings.

Six colleges have been awarded funding to deliver the courses, which will include areas such as electric and hybrid cars, environmentally-friendly heating systems and e-bikes. The courses will be available from level 2 to level 5, with most courses at level 3. The courses are part-time and flexible, designed for study around other commitments.

The courses will be open to:

• adults over 19 who earn under £26,000 a year, including employees currently on furlough, or on a zero hours contract, or whose job is at risk; and
• employees of companies who have identified specific training needs in these sectors.

Personal Learning Account courses are designed to match skills gaps identified in priority sectors. Further education colleges have worked with employers to develop courses which are expected to create job opportunities now or in the near future.

The colleges awarded funding are:

• Gower College Swansea
• Pembrokeshire College
• Coleg Sir Gar
• Grwp Llandrillo Menai
• Cardiff and Vale College
• Bridgend College

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said:

“Jobs in the green economy will continue to increase in the future, as we intensify our actions to fight climate change, such as the shift towards more environmentally-friendly transport. Our further education colleges will be instrumental in ensuring we have skilled workers with the expertise to meet the demand from employers.

“If you’re worried about the certainty of your employment, or you’re on furlough or a zero hours contract, accessing a free Personal Learning Account could provide you with the skills and qualifications to embark on a new and rewarding career.”

The Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething said:

“We want to build an economy based on the principles of fair work, sustainability and the industries and services of the future. We’re committed to supporting Welsh businesses to prosper, grow and create the jobs of the future, which will look very different to the jobs of the past.

“Our increased investment in Personal Learning Accounts will help ensure workers across Wales can access new training opportunities to upskill or reskill and take advantage of the opportunities these new jobs will deliver for people, communities and the wider Welsh economy.”

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said:

"As a Government, we are committed to working in social partnership to create new jobs in the industries of the future, and to transform our economy into one which is greener and fairer.

"These courses will create new opportunities in industries which are sustainable and will help us in our overarching aim to fight climate change."

Further information about Personal Learning Accounts is available by contacting your local further education college.