West Wales Life&Style May-June 2021

West Wales Life&Style
West Wales Life&Style
YDYCH CHI'N GYMWYS I GAEL CYLLID?
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?
www.colegsirgar.ac.uk www.ceredigion.ac.uk
Fully funded training for
individuals and businesses
A
new initiative called a Personal
Learning Account (PLA) has
been developed by the Welsh
Government to address barriers to adult
learning and the rising skills shortages.
Colleges and training providers,
including Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg
Sir Gâr are supporting the initiative by
delivering flexible and funded learning plans
for individuals and businesses.
Many adults are discouraged to undertake a learning
programme due to a lack of time or money but this
initiative aims to remove those barriers by providing
flexible and funded training within priority sectors.
Businesses are also encouraged to get involved to access
upskilling programmes for their workforce to help with
skills shortages.
The scheme is also designed to help
40%
provide a route for those who are
looking for progression, providing a
route out of in-work poverty.
Anyone over 19 years old, earning
less than £26,000 a year and in
employment, is eligible for the scheme.
Jemma Parsons, business development
officer at Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir
Gâr said: “The PLA scheme aims to offer
eligible individuals the chance to gain the skills and
qualifications that employers within priority sectors,
need to fill current and future skills shortages.
“Accessing free, part-time training to fit around people’s
of people in
Wales living in
poverty are stuck
in a career with
little or no future
progression
44%
of employees
believe that
learning a new skill
would enhance
their earning
potential
commitments and lifestyles, will help them
gain qualifications and progress their career.
“It also includes exciting industries such
as creative industries which include
media, music and performance.”
Employees who are furloughed can also
apply for the scheme regardless of salary.
Priority sector training includes long and
short courses which are delivered in the South
West and Mid Wales:
Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Engineering
Construction
Creative Industries
Digital and Technology
Financial and Professional
Food and Landbased
•
Health, Social and Childcare
Hospitality, Retail, Leisure and Tourism
The individual remains in their current employment
while they complete their training. Once you have
completed your course or training, you will be equipped
with the skills and qualifications needed to improve
career prospects and apply for new
opportunities.
How do I find out more?
76% of
Whether you are an individual
employees
looking for career progression or
look for
a career change, or a business
opportunities
looking to upskill your staff, visit
for career
the employer section on colegsirgar.
growth
ac.uk to find out more.
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westwaleslifeandstyle.co.uk
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