TWI Ltd offers technology and ongoing support services to improve customers’ welding, joining and allied processes and to demonstrate product performance. Companies like TWI Technology offer their customers a complex mix of both goods and services and the Minister said it is vital they continue to benefit from full and unfettered access to the EU Single Market.

Rebecca Evans said:

“It was extremely useful to meet the team at TWI and to discuss how they are planning for when we leave the European Union.  

“I am concerned that the UK Government’s White Paper on Brexit is advocating a different trading relationship with the EU for services than for goods.

“We have repeatedly warned that the UK cannot take the huge economic risk of cutting ourselves adrift from the Single Market and Customs Union. This is particularly true for manufacturing sectors and specialist services, which in Wales are so important in providing high-paid, high-skilled jobs.

“Welsh businesses benefit hugely from our current position in the EU Single Market and the message from firms like TWI is clear; this access must continue for business to thrive. At the Ministerial Forum in Cardiff today I will urge the UK Government to listen to Welsh businesses and to commit to securing the access that firms like TWI require.

“The White Paper was a belated step in the right direction and provides a better starting point to begin negotiations, but much more flexibility is needed from the UK Government to deliver a Brexit which works for Wales.”

The Minister’s first stop was at Cardigan Castle where he had an opportunity to see the how the £11m restoration project has transformed the castle into a vibrant visitor attraction with accommodation and restaurant.  The Castle won the Georgian buildings category of the Channel 4 Restoration of the Year 2017 and has also been named as one of the projects for the European Year of Cultural Heritage for 2018.  The latest development at the Castle is the interactive interpretation on the Eisteddfod, and Cardigan Castle’s role in hosting the first in 1176.  

With less than a week to go until the 2018 Eisteddfod, the Minister had an opportunity to speak to Director of the Castle Jac Owen Davies about his future plans.  Jac took up the past last year after moving back to west Wales following his time in London as director and general manager at the pro Rugby League team London Skolars and as chief executive officer at the London Welsh Centre.

The Minister then had an opportunity to meet with the owner of Pizza Tipi James Lynch, also owner of Fforest in Cilgerran where excellent local produce, the commitment of the staff and the stunning location along the River Teifi are proving a real recipe for success. There he discussed further opportunities for the town to maximise its tourism potential and provide further employment for young local people.

Since expanding from a micro-bakery and opening a café, deli and restaurant in one of Cardigan’s iconic buildings over Easter, Catrin and Osian Jones, the two local entrepreneurs behind Crwst, have been going from strength to strength. They’ve recently taken over further space on an industrial estate in the town to keep up with demand and have quickly established themselves as one of the destination eateries for the town. The Minister met with Crwst chef, Sam Everton who won the top chef under 24 award in the World Skills Competition this year. Crwst have also been shortlisted as a Regional Finalist for the second year running in the Rural Business Awards.  

Cered (Welsh Language initiative for Ceredigion) were also at Crwst, providing an overview on how Cymraeg yn y Gweithle helps local businesses develop a sense of place by promoting the Welsh language in business.

El Salsa is another example of a business which has had a busy start since opening their permanent premises in their home town of Cardigan earlier this month.   El Salsa have won a string of street food awards and are a well known name in many festivals and events. They have been a welcome addition to the Cardigan food scene and are a further example of the many success stories in and around Cardigan at present.

Culture, Tourism and Sport Minister, said:

“I was delighted earlier this week to launch a new resource to celebrate the castles and history of the Lords and Princes of Wales. Cardigan Castle is of course one of the 24 castles alongside abbeys and other historical sites signposted in the booklet –I was delighted to visit today to see how the castle has been transformed – and is again at the heart of life in Cardigan.

Having a tour of Cardigan today and seeing the variety and quality of what the town has to offer has been a real pleasure. There’s a vibrancy in the town, with the new developments making the most of the town’s culture and heritage, giving people a sense of what Aberteifi is really about.  The town’s industrial heritage is also turning around, with Hiut Denim making a name for itself world-wide.

This is a town which is proud of its history and, through offering a quality experience, employing local staff and excellent local produce, it is also a showcase to the best of rural west Wales.  I’m delighted to see Cardigan facing the future with confidence and vision.  It’s been wonderful to hear of the success stories and of the plans the town’s businesses have for the future – long may their success continue.”

The figures are taken from a comprehensive report which has been published by the Welsh Government showing progress in each of Wales’ eight  Enterprise Zones.

Figures revealed in the Enterprise Zones annual report 2017/18 show businesses located in the Zones benefited from in excess of £5.3m of direct support, while public sector  investment in transport and infrastructure to improve accessibility to the zones stood at over £52m. 

The Llangefni Link Road, which is part of the plan to develop Llangefni Campus as an internationally renowned Energy and Engineering Training Facility, the Eastern Bay Link Road in Cardiff and the new Brynmawr to Tredegar section of the A465 are just some  of the  infrastructure investments included in the report that have been designed to  support the growth of the  Enterprise Zones. 

The annual report also reveals that: 

• nearly 96% of premises in Enterprise Zone locations have been Super Broadband enabled
• £11m worth of business rate support has been allocated to businesses in the zones 
• designated sites within Deeside, Ebbw Vale, Haven Waterway and Port Talbot have been given Enhanced Capital Allowances to support ongoing work to enhance the infrastructure and make them more attractive to investors. 

The Economy Secretary said: 

“I am pleased to report that our Enterprise Zones supported 1550 jobs in the last financial year, taking the total of jobs now supported through the programme to more than 12,250. 

“The report also show that collectively the zones have benefitted from £57.6 million of public sector investment, with funding being used to improve transport links and infrastructure and provide businesses with the best possible conditions in order to help them develop and grow  over the short and longer term. 

“While all eight Enterprise Zones are at different stages of development and face their own challenges and opportunities,  the report confirms that they are all making significant progress, and   laying the foundation for the type of inclusive and sustainable prosperity that we are working hard to drive through our Economic Action Plan.” 

View: Enterprise Zones annual report 2017/18.

Speaking at Castell y Bere, the Minister explained why these sites reserved a special place in Welsh history and what more was being done to ensure they were as accessible and informative as possible.

Lord Elis-Thomas said: 

“From Caerphilly to Caernarfon, Conwy to Castell Coch, we are a country blessed with some of the most magnificent, imposing castles in the world, attracting record visitor numbers and boosting the economies of many of our towns and cities.

“But there are a whole host of castles on our doorsteps that are, perhaps, less well known but both individually and as a collective serve as precious physical reminders of our history and our heritage. 

“These, to me, are the true Welsh castles – those built or inhabited by distinguished Welshmen of the past – by Llywelyn, Lord Rhys and Glyndwr amongst others. Welsh Princes who fought for and over Wales and helped shape the Wales and Welshness we recognise today. I’ve been determined to better promote and signpost these castles and their significance to our history and culture. 

“The booklet gives a general introduction to the castles closely associated with the Welsh Lords and Princes. They include castles in Cadw’s care as well as castles owned by local authorities or which are in private hands, but offer public access. 

“Cadw have made great strides over recent years to improve accessibility to a number of sites across Wales. This, in conjunction with some fantastic work in making the information at our sites clearer and more interactive means that more people can now enjoy these physical reminders of our past. But there is more to come, starting with here in Castell y Bere, where we will soon be making improvements to the visitor experience to better convey its historical significance. 

“Each of these castles has its own history, its own story and its own character. I hope that, through the material launched today as well as through future improvements, we can help encourage as many people as possible to explore and enjoy these Welsh castles and their significance to the Wales we live in today.” 

The new booklet, which features 24 castles alongside abbeys and other historical sites, will be available for free at all Cadw sites, with further information also available online.

Four individuals, who are undertaking apprenticeships in these fields, feature in a new campaign titled The Answer is Apprenticeships which highlights the breadth of apprenticeships on offer to young people in Wales.

Timed to coincide with students receiving exam results over the summer but aimed at all young people, including those who are NEET, the campaign highlights that apprenticeships could be the answer to gaining the qualifications and skills young people might need for their chosen career. 

The campaign will signpost people to Apprenticeship Matching Service on the Careers Wales website where details about the levels and subjects are available to them and individuals can search the range of opportunities and apply online for vacancies.

The campaign aimed at young people and the parents who will be guiding them through their decisions will run for the next five weeks on digital channels, social media, radio, buses, trains and TV on demand and features four apprentices that are building successful and rewarding careers through their apprenticeships.

Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Eluned Morgan said:

“As people await their exam results, this time of year can be uncertain and nerve wracking. Some young people have their future plans firmly in place but others may be less sure of what they want to do.

“We have developed a highly successful Apprenticeship Programme which offers high quality vocational training in hundreds of roles. The wide variety of courses and levels of qualifications on offer mean we are on course to meet the ambitious target of reaching 100,000 apprenticeship starts soon. Though this isn’t just about meeting targets; it’s about ensuring the right opportunities are being created in the right areas so that individuals, businesses and the economy can thrive. This campaign is contributing to this ambition by highlighting the opportunities that apprenticeships bring at a time when people need that information most.”

“I urge young people and their parents to take a look at the Apprenticeship Matching Service and see if The Answer is Apprenticeships for them.”

The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.