NEATH Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr. Steve Hunt, accompanied by key Council Officers, visited JES Group Ltd and their renowned Skills Academy at Talbot Wharf to see firsthand how the Academy is tackling the UK’s critical shortage of welders.
As a former qualified welder himself, Cllr. Hunt brought a deep understanding and appreciation for the Academy’s work during his visit, which showcased its role as a leading centre of excellence for welding, fabrication and pipe-fitting skills.
Cllr. Hunt said: “Welding is not just a skill—it’s the backbone of every major industrial and green revolution project. People talk about a ‘Green Economy’ and achieving ‘Net Zero,’ but none of that is achievable without first recourse to the ‘black skills’ of welding, fabrication and pipe-fitting.
“Renewable energy platforms, carbon capture systems, hydrogen electrolysers, solar panels, Green Steel manufacturing and even nuclear power plants all require these essential skill-sets to give them life.”
During the visit, Justin Johnson, Director of JES Group Ltd, expressed his gratitude to Neath Port Talbot Council for their advice and support.
He said: “The Skills Academy wouldn’t be the success it is today without the backing of Neath Port Talbot Council. Thanks to the great help of both the Officers and the Elected members, we are training work-ready welders who are immediately placed into jobs.
“The intense and practical nature of our training ensures that every graduate leaves here equipped with the skills to succeed and contribute to our industrial future, both here in Neath Port Talbot and in the larger South Wales region.”
The Skills Academy is addressing the UK’s acute shortage of welders with its hands-on, high-intensity training programmes, producing graduates whose training is aligned to industry’s needs and who, on graduating from the Academy, are ready for immediate employment. This vital pipeline of talent is critical for enabling industries like offshore wind, hydrogen and steel manufacturing to thrive on the journey towards a net-zero economy.
Cllr. Hunt’s visit highlights the strong partnership between Neath Port Talbot Council and local businesses like JES Group, ensuring the region remains a hub of industrial innovation and skills excellence.
