Ahead of a turf cutting ceremony, the Economy Secretary described the institute as a “game changer”  that would provide a new level of support  to business and ensure collaboration between industry, academic partners and entrepreneurs in order to drive innovation, commercialisation, up skill the workforce and provide a catalyst for economic growth. This aligns with a number of core elements of the Welsh Government’s strategy Economic Action Plan.

The Welsh Government is investing £20m in the new institute which will have a strong focus on advanced manufacturing sectors including aerospace, automotive, nuclear and food.

It will deliver a totally new level of support to key manufacturing companies as well as multi-sector supply chain companies and the broader SMEs economy, and will be focused on increasing productivity, commercialisation, innovation and skills development.

The construction of the building in Broughton, which is due to be completed next year, is the first phase of a two site project. The Broughton site is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.

Airbus has been confirmed as the first tenant for the AMRI at Broughton which it is predicted could increase GVA (gross value added) by as much as £4bn over 20 years. The Welsh government is in advanced negotiation with AMRC Sheffield to operate the Centre and has recently appointed contractor Galliford Try to manage the construction phase.

The Economy Secretary said: 

“The Welsh Government is investing £20m in our new Advanced Manufacturing and Research Institute at Broughton, which will be a real game changer in terms of the support on offer to businesses.

“The AMRI will enable collaboration focused on innovation, research and commercialisation between industry, academic partners and entrepreneurs and I am delighted that Airbus will be the first tenant of the centre and will be progressing an exciting project here focussed on future wing technology.

“The AMRI will target commercialisation and development of world leading skills across the manufacturing spectrum as well as equipping the next generation of experts, innovators and leaders through training, to apprenticeship, to PhD level.

“This will ensure a thriving industry base that will be a catalyst for economic growth across the supply chain, increasing productivity and supporting competitiveness of Welsh industry at home and around the world.”

Paul McKinlay, Senior Vice President of Airbus and head of Broughton Plant said:

“We are delighted the Welsh Government selected the Broughton site as the location for this great new facility. The work we will conduct in AMRI will be a significant enabler for increased productivity not only for us in Airbus but also our wider supply chain.”

Speaking at an event to celebrate the work and impact of the outgoing Older People’s Commissioner, Sarah Rochira, the First Minister, Carwyn Jones and Social Care Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced the Welsh Government will be working with older people to take forward a programme of work that will  support everyone to live healthy, prosperous and rewarding lives. 
Early work will involve supporting all older people to have voice and control over their health and social care, with a focus on commissioning, safeguarding and advocacy.

This will include:

• Revising the guidance relating to escalating concerns on care homes to ensure that older people are not put at risk due to the closure of the place where they live and call home. Where a closure is unavoidable, the guidance will ensure the care home is closed in a way that upholds the rights of residents;
• Improving the quality, consistency and availability of Independent advocacy services, that give a voice to people who feel their views are being ignored;
• Integrating the rights of older people into the process the Welsh Government uses to assess the impact its policies have on groups of people;
• Working with older people to deliver a new programme of work that will address barriers to ageing well.

The First Minister has also confirmed that to further demonstrate the Welsh Government’s commitment to older people, from today the Minister for Children and Social Care will become the Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care. 

Wales has a long history of working with and for older people from the introduction of the first Strategy for Older People in Wales in 2003, to establishing the world’s first Older People’s Commissioner in 2008.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones said:

“We are all living longer and healthier lives. I want Wales to be a nation that recognises and values the contribution made by older people to creating vibrant and supportive communities. 

“During her term, Sarah Rochira has sharpened our focus on ensuring all older people can enjoy a life that has value, meaning and purpose.  I agree with the her, that we must embed the well-being of older people into the heart of public services. To achieve this, we will be taking forward a programme of work that will make rights real for older people.”

Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies said:

“Prosperity for All, our national strategy to take Wales forward, commits us to supporting everyone to live healthy, prosperous and rewarding lives.The work I will lead will ensure we deliver these commitments to older people right across Wales.

“I would like to thank Sarah for all of her hard work and the constructive relationship we have enjoyed during her term as Older peoples commissioner. I know it has make a real difference to the lives of older people whatever their circumstance and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

A new body tasked with inspiring educational leaders of the future is to be launched today (Wednesday, 16 May). The National Academy for Educational Leadership will work with partners across the system to provide strategic support for those in current leadership roles as well as providing encouragement and inspiration for those who wish to pursue a leadership career in education.

Building on the good practice already delivered by inspirational, experienced and effective leaders working within the Welsh system, across the UK and internationally, the new organisation will be led by an independent team and accountable to a Board consisting of people with a range of skills that will support the Academy as it develops. A stakeholder group, representative of all sectors in education, will also be on hand to influence the continuous work of the Academy and ensure its relevance to the day to day work of school leaders.  

In making the announcement, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, emphasised the importance of strong leadership,

“It is crucial that we develop leaders who can inspire, not only our young people, but also their colleagues so we can work collaboratively to raise standards. 

“The academy will play a vital role in developing the current and future leadership talent for Wales and ensure all schools can deliver our new curriculum.

“The launch today is an important step in our national mission in delivering an education system that is a source of national pride and public confidence.”

A Shadow Board, led by former Chief Inspector of Schools Ann Keane, has been in place to oversee the instigation of the Academy co-ordinating workshops and consultation events all over Wales to ensure that the voice of practitioners has been a major influencing factor in the Academy’s on-going development.

Newly appointed Academy Chair Sue Davies expressed her delight at the launch,

“I believe this is a hugely important step for education in Wales as we recognise the crucial role leaders play in delivering the reform we want within the educational sector. While appreciating the need to nurture future leaders it is also vital that we provide appropriate support for those delivering leadership roles at present, in what can only be described as very challenging times.

“That is why we have ensured that key stakeholders, including school leaders, have been closely involved in developing this Academy and will continue to be involved for the foreseeable future as the work programme is rolled out.” 

To further support the organisation and provide practical input for school leaders already in place, a group of 12 associates, made up of head teachers from across Wales, has been established. Gwyn Tudur is head of Ysgol Tryfan in Bangor and explains the role of the associates,

“We see our role as ensuring the National Academy responds to the very real needs of those working in the Welsh educational system and especially those undertaking leadership responsibilities or looking to step up to leadership. We are looking to ensure that there will be very practical and relevant work programmes to help our colleagues feel they are part of a wider support structure, and that avenues of assistance will be on hand at all times.

“As school leaders, we can at times feel isolated, and the establishment of the National Academy for Educational Leadership and its core aims have been greatly appreciated.”

To begin to take forward the work of the Academy, the Cabinet Secretary will make a call for the first programmes to come forward for Endorsement. These initial programmes will be aimed at Acting Headteachers and those new to headship to come forward to seek endorsement from the Academy.  Endorsement will ensure that the provision available to our education professionals is high quality and accessible to all.

Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind  is a supported workshop where staff make wooden products using precision cutting equipment and buttons for the furniture industry. They also operate a cardboard recycling service.

It employs people from across South Wales who have a disability or health condition that makes it difficult for them to find or keep employment.

Office for National Statistics figures released today show that unemployment and economic inactivity has fallen in Wales compared to the previous quarter but the Welsh Government in its recently published Employability Plan has made it clear that it is determined to work actively go much further to close the economic inactivity gap between Wales and the UK.

The statistics also show that the proportion of disabled people* who are able to work but who are unemployed in Great Britain is 9.2% – more than twice the proportion of those who are not disabled, which is currently 3.6%.

One of the key actions in the Employability Plan is to provide an individualised approach to employability support that is responsive to an individual’s needs and takes account of personal circumstances, barriers, aptitudes and ambitions. Ensuring there are opportunities for disabled people to find and stay in work is a key element of this.

Eluned Morgan said:

“The Employability plan recognises that different people have different barriers to work. For disabled people, some of the barriers might be physical but all too often they are the result of employers’ reluctance to take on disabled people. I am determined to address this and will be talking to some of our key employers across Wales over the summer to see how we can support them to overcome this reluctance.

“Organisations like Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind are doing excellent work to equip disabled people with skills and experience and the opportunity to show employers they are valuable and reliable members of the workforce.”

* According to the Equality Act 2010 definition of disabled.

To mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, the Minister has written a personal letter to every foster carer in Wales, asking them to help inspire others to consider fostering.

There are currently more than 4,400 children in foster care in Wales. The average age of foster carers is 55, and local authorities need to recruit more foster carers from a wide variety of backgrounds and age.

The Welsh Government has put significant investment over the past three years into the development of National Fostering Framework for Wales (£400k in 2017-18), which is now being implemented across all regions. Similar funding in 2018-19 has gone into the Revenue Support Grant for local authorities.  

One of the key aims of the framework is to encourage more people to foster, especially with local authorities fostering services, and to develop a national brand and marketing strategy supported by regional approaches to recruitment and retention.

Foster Care Fortnight 2018 runs from 14th to 27th May.

Huw Irranca-Davies said:

“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all foster carers do in caring and supporting some of our most vulnerable children and young people.  

“I have met many foster carers and am always deeply impressed with the dedication and commitment that I see, even while I know that fostering is often a very challenging task. 

“I have also had the pleasure of speaking to young people who have experienced care, who have talked to me about how their foster families have supported them, not just by providing a home but with a family environment where they can feel safe, grow and thrive.  

“Foster families also help them prepare for the future and achieve their personal outcomes. Fostered young people have told me how their foster carers have helped them to consider opportunities in further education and employment, or given them the confidence to follow other ambitions. What an incredible testimony to the work of the thousands of foster carers and their families here in Wales. 

“So I want to say Thank you. What they do is so important for our society and, in particular, the children and young people you are caring for.”