WIREDGOV

A £1.1m EU investment package to help boost post -16 education services across Gwynedd and Anglesey will be announced by First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones AM today. 

Backed with £650,000 from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, the Gwynedd and Anglesey Learning Partnership plan to develop an area of excellence in the way that education and training is delivered. The aim is to provide a more cost-effective and efficient approach by bringing some 16 partners together to work for the benefit of young people.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the Urdd Eisteddfod in Meirionnydd, the First Minister said:

"It is more important now than ever to ensure we continually improve the way in which we deliver public services while providing value for money. I am pleased to see that EU Funds are helping to forge a spirit of partnership to ensure excellence in education and training for our young people so they can improve their career prospects and achieve success in the workplace."

Cllr Siân Gwenllian, Chair of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Post-16 Education Consortium Leadership Board said:

"We are committed to ensuring that we can offer the best possible opportunities for the area’s young people. This pioneering agreement is the culmination of much hard work and partnership working between schools, colleges and councils across Gwynedd and Anglesey.

"Our aim is to ensure effective collaboration so that we can provide our young people with more opportunities and equip them with the necessary skills for the world of work in this area."

The aim of the partnership is to widen learning choices, increase participation - particularly for those living in rural areas - and meet labour market needs, focusing on emerging sectors such as energy, environment, science, and the creative industries.

It will target individuals between 16 and19 year-olds in schools and colleges before expanding to provide further services through work based learning and adult community learning.

It is hoped that the system will enhance existing services and act as a model which could be rolled out across other parts of Wales.
This project is unique because it brings together 16 public service partners across the two counties, including all public sector learning institutions - the first time such a partnership has been established in Wales.

The Learning Partnership consists of Gwynedd and Anglesey Head teachers as well as college principals Dafydd Evans (Coleg Menai) and Ian Rees (Coleg Meirion Dwyfor).

EU projects delivering in North Wales (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham) have already assisted some 99,250 individuals, of which 31,400 have gained qualifications, 6,800 helped into work.  In addition, 2,000 enterprises and 5,270 jobs have been created