To mark Apprenticeship Week Wales, global skills organisation City & Guilds is underlining the important role that apprentices can play in improving productivity challenges in Wales.
Research from Cardiff Business School has shown that productivity levels in Wales are 17% below the national average, with overall UK productivity since 2019 comparing poorly against growth rates in previous decades.
City & Guilds has long championed skills development as a key factor in tackling the UK’s ongoing productivity challenges.
The skills organisation’s most recent Impact Report showed that more than 31,000 learners have completed City & Guilds Apprenticeship End Point Assessments during the last academic year, while its Learner Outcomes survey revealed that 83% of its learners self-declared as employed in a relevant sector within three months.
Angharad Lloyd Beynon, Senior Policy, Stakeholder and Partnerships Manager (Nations and Ireland) at City & Guilds, said:
“Apprenticeships in Wales help to ensure the availability of skilled workers in key sectors such as health, social care and construction. They are the backbone of a thriving Welsh economy, equipping individuals with vital skills, driving business innovation, and ensuring long-term economic growth through a highly skilled workforce.
At City & Guilds, we are experts in developing and supporting with the delivery of apprenticeship programmes, helping providers, employers and apprentices develop the skills to build bright futures and transform industries. We know Apprenticeships drive productivity, boost economic growth for people and places, and provide a better route for social mobility.”
