Welsh Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has called for increased collaboration between the private and public sectors to drive the economy.
Speaking at an event, the secretary outlined the importance of the private and public sectors working together to meet increasing demand in the construction industry, which will play a pivotal role in economic growth in Wales.
The Cabinet Secretary said:
“The construction industry has a huge impact on our economy and society. It creates jobs, drives economic growth, and offers solutions to social, climate and energy challenges. We are already doing a lot of things right in Wales, with many countries looking at our efforts to transition to a prosperous, sustainable future with fair work at its heart.
“That is not to say we do not acknowledge the challenges construction employers face, the creation of a future talent pipeline, the identification of key projects and the need to support innovation are issues that need further backing. My messages to the sector in North Wales is clear: whether through building vital infrastructure for a greener, more sustainable future or maximising opportunities presented by Free Ports and Investment Zones, the construction industry is crucial to shaping the Wales of tomorrow.”
As part of his vision to ensure that rapid growth and improvement is achieved within Wales, Miles set out a number of priorities. These include:
- Ensuring that the education system meets the needs of employers, with courses that address specific skills gaps
- Creating more employment spaces and investment-ready sites through direct intervention and grants
- Making sure that both the public and private sectors use the tools available to them for addressing recruitment, retention, training and supply chain challenges
Alongside these measures, a focus will also be put on the decarbonisation of social housing, with this ensuring that homes are made to be sustainable, high-quality and affordable to heat. This will be done through the new Welsh Housing Quality Standard programme.
Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates, added:
“Part of my role as Cabinet Secretary for North Wales is to champion the interests of our communities, businesses and institutions. It’s about ensuring our policies reflect the circumstances, challenges and opportunities in the North.
“We can achieve so much more by working together and with exciting developments across the region, this is an exciting time for the sector.”
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