Ken Skates confirmed that 38,497 jobs were supported in Wales in 2016/17 as a result of Welsh Government interventions.
Over the same period, 1086 individuals were helped into work though the Welsh Government’s flagship Jobs Growth Wales programme.
The latest figures mean that in 2016/17 the Welsh Government recorded its second best performance on job support in recent years. The figures were second only to 2015/16 when the Welsh Government supported 40,044 jobs.
Ken Skates said:
“Earlier today the First Minister welcomed latest ONS Labour Market statistics that showed the number of people employed in Wales had risen by 25,000 over the last three months, meaning employment levels here now stands at an historic record 73.7 per cent.
“Indeed over the last year the rate of employment in Wales has improved by more than double the UK average.
“The Welsh Government is working tirelessly to drive up employment levels and to support companies across Wales to survive, thrive and expand.
“These latest figures show that our hard work and ambition is paying dividends, with the Welsh Government having supported nearly 80,000 jobs in the last 2 years and around 170,000 jobs over the past five.
“We will continue to support businesses across Wales and ensure we have the right economic conditions to drive up employment levels, support sustainable jobs and training, and spread prosperity right across Wales.”
Follow this news feed: Welsh Government