Press release: Training for the Energy Sector discussed during college visit

The minister will be updated by Dafydd Evans, CEO Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Dr Ian Rees, Grŵp Executive Director Business Development on how the college is progressing in its mission to ensure local people are equipped with the skills to benefit from opportunities in the Energy Sector.

The update will be followed by a tour of the college’s Construction and Energy Centres and an energy sector round table involving Bangor University, Snowdonia Enterprise Zone and Orthios Eco Parks before the minister moves on to the Wylfa Newydd Site.

A myriad of opportunities are expected to come to Anglesey in wake of the anticipated Wylfa Newydd Nuclear Power station and other energy based projects, such as wave power and a biomass plant at the former Anglesey Aluminium site.

A likely topic of conversation during the visit is the work already undertaken with Horizon Nuclear Power.

Just this week in a launch event at Coleg Menai (06/02/2017) Horizon Nuclear Power announced that they would recruit another 12 Apprentices to join their training scheme, bringing the number of Horizon Nuclear Apprentices already in training to 22.

The college has also submitted a planning application for the development of its Llangefni campus that would see college’s Engineering provision relocated to a new £15m Engineering Training Centre in Llangefni.

We look forward to a constructive meeting this morning at Llangefni with Guto. It essential we update our representatives in Westminster on the work that’s being done here in North West Wales to develop Engineering and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths skills. With Brexit looming large it’s essential that we have these talks now so that we can prepare for the future.

Guto Bebb, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, said:

I’m delighted to visit Coleg Menai and Wylfa today to see the innovative technology that is set to make a positive impact to Anglesey’s economy. It’s important to hear from Welsh institutions and businesses about the issues and opportunities that they face following Brexit, and continue the conversations that we’ve been holding throughout the summer.

The UK’s Industrial Strategy provides a joined up approach to policy, aiming to deliver a highly skilled and competitive economy that benefits people right across the country. Coleg Menai is a fantastic example of an institution in the North West of Wales working to ensure that young people have the essential employability skills for the global market and to work in an industry that is being developed within their local area.

Greg Evans, Safety & Generation Director at Horizon said:

Coleg Menai and Horizon have already shown how we will work together through paving the way for the new Engineering Training Centre and providing Horizon apprenticeship opportunities for local young people. We will continue to move forward in partnership, with the active support of both the UK and Welsh Governments, to deliver the huge benefits Wylfa Newydd will bring for Anglesey and North Wales for many decades.