27.04.12
‘Shaping the Future’ for Welsh regeneration
A £4m project to support employment and economic and social development has been launched by the Welsh Government. ‘Shaping the Future’ aims to mitigate the socio-economic impact of decommissioning theUKnuclear legacy inNorth Wales, and drive economic regeneration in the area.
Funding worth £2.3m comes from the European Social Fund, and £1.2m has come from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Other partners include Gwynedd County Council and Isle of Anglesey County Council.
The project seeks to encourage investment and to create sustainable skills, helping people into suitable alternative employment. 15 Goodwill Ambassadors have been introduced to promote the work.
Business minister Edwina Hart launched the programme, and said: “The initiative will drive inward investment as companies take advantage of the skills available in the region and promote entrepreneurship.
“The programme underlines the benefits of investment and collaboration, bringing European, Welsh Government, local authority and private sector investment to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits. The alignment of policy drivers is a strong feature of the region, with an agreed vision from all levels of government.”
Judy Craske, project director, Shaping the Future, added: “Shaping the Future is an exemplar of how the public and private sectors can work together to pre-emptively address structural employment shifts and boost the diversity of regional economies.
“At a time of national and global shortages in key technical skills and engineering expertise North West Wales offers a unique concentration of scarce and sought after skills for employers to tap into.”
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