SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, calls for more education support to take advantage of Anglesey free port.
Mr Rowlands, a keen supporter of apprentice schemes, was commenting in the Senedd, during a discussion on apprenticeships in Ynys Môn.
He said: “One of the great opportunities on Ynys Môn is the Welsh Government supported Anglesey free port, creating more jobs, more opportunity for young people and people of all ages across the island.
“It’s an opportunity that’s going to impact and is impacting Ynys Môn, but also North Wales as a whole. The opportunities for the region are really important.
“Having the right education structure and systems in place to enable the free port to flourish is also very important. And in the free-port bid, it specifically mentioned a strong educational component as part of that bid, and there are three areas it focused on, one of which is customs and trade; the supply chain management and all aspects of energy.
“ So, I wonder, Minister, whether you’ve had any specific conversations about the role of education with the free-port work, and the free port on Ynys Môn, and where the opportunities might be to see whether it’s further apprenticeships or other types of education to ensure that the free port is able to flourish as best as possible.”
Vikki Howells, Cabinet Secretary for Further and Higher Education said that she is due to visit North Wales shortly and will be having discussions with both HE and FE establishments on a range of issues.
Mr Rowlands added: “I am delighted to hear that the Minister will be exploring further educational needs in order to embrace the opportunities Anglesey free port can bring to North Wales.
“It is absolutely vital that Welsh Government supports this great opportunity we have in my region.”
