28/09/10
Skillscymru branded a success by Deputy Minister, exhibitors and visitors
“skillscymru will contribute significantly towards the development of a lasting skills legacy for Wales”, says Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills following skillscymru, Wales’ largest skills and careers exhibition.
Attracting a record number of visitors over the course of three days, the inspirational event engaged learners of all ages and successfully hosted the biggest interactive Welsh language lesson in Wales.
A record 20,200 people from all corners of Wales attended the event held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, trying out new skills from hairdressing and carpentry to crime scene investigating.
The Welsh lesson, sponsored by NatWest held on Saturday 18 September proved to be the most popular activity, not only making it the biggest Welsh lesson hosted in Wales but also the second largest language lesson hosted in the World. Smashing the target of attracting 200 participants, exactly 1,578 people took part in the group lesson, hosted by fluent Welsh speaker Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1 and this year’s Welsh Learner of the Year Julia Hawkins.
Leah Cross, 15 from Llantarnam School in Cwmbran visited skillscymru and took part in the Welsh lesson: “For me the event has opened my eyes to all the career and training opportunities that exist. I’ve gained a few skills including learning how to cook an omelette, lay some bricks, laying down videos but by far my favourite activity was the Welsh lesson. To be able to set a record for the largest Welsh lesson in Wales has inspired me to concentrate more in class as I can see the future benefits the Welsh language will give me. I feel that there are endless opportunities for me now that I’ve been to skillscymru.”
Attracting both young and adult learners, the event enabled people to try out new skills and explore new career options with the ultimate aim of turning more people on to further training, to get skilled and get into work. A range of sectors were represented at the event including the built environment, cultural and creative arts, engineering, IT and business administration, professional and hospitality services and sustainable eco-skills. Over 100 exhibitors including some of Wales’ largest employers and top training centres highlighted the existing and emerging career opportunities in Wales.
skillscymru is part of a major push by the Welsh Assembly Government, with the help of European Social Funding (ESF), to aid the country’s recovery from the economic downturn by preparing the population for a new higher-skilled era by promoting the learning of new skills.
Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills said: “From the outset skillscymru was always going to be an interactive event that encouraged learners of all ages to learn more about the skills, qualifications and training that employers and the economy need. The event was an outstanding success both in terms of the number of visitors and in the variety of new skills visitors were able to test out. There was a real ‘have-a-go’ spirit at the event, enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
“During the event, I had the opportunity to try my hand at a number of skills across a breadth of sectors and speak first-hand to exhibitors and partners. The immediate feedback from those I spoke to has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I am proud to have been a part of skillscymru and I am confident that those who attended could not have failed to have been inspired by the wealth of opportunity to develop their skills. I would like to thank the exhibitors who played such an important role in making the event interesting, enjoyable and educational and hope that those who attended over the three days have been inspired to acquire new skills, to possibly change careers or to get into training.”
Andrew Cooksley, managing director of ACT, South Wales’ largest work-based learning provider commented: “The current economic climate is prompting more people than ever before are choosing to get into training in order to kick start their careers and make themselves more appealing to current and future employers. Formal training, such as what we offer at ACT, can set an individual ahead of the competition and give them an added boost when it comes to applying for jobs. skillscymru gave ACT the perfect platform to speak with motivated learners, about the training we offer and how they can take control of their future. They are recognising the benefits of working, and developing their knowledge and skills this way, rather than higher education.”
