A pilot project to aid local people into employment, support businesses and boost skills development has come to an end after a successful six months undertaking.
The Enterprise and Skills Project (ESP) was overseen by Pembrokeshire County Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
This was a dynamic project with a challenging scope and range of outcomes across different training providers and business support organisations.
The project’s limited timescale and ambitious aims made the achievements for local individuals, business and studies even more significant.
The project has also put in place infrastructure within organisations to utilise new funding streams like the UK Governments Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) when it becomes available.
Beneficiaries of the ESP scheme linked in with one of eight Delivery Partners for the pilot to target economic activity across Pembrokeshire.
This included post Covid-19 business advice and support, business de-carbonisation plans, new business creation assistance, support for individuals to upskill and access training and support for economically inactive people.
Launched in June 2022 the project came to a close in December 2022 with some notable achievements.
Among the successful outcomes were 292 people gaining a qualification, 38 jobs safe-guarded, nine new businesses started and 20 decarbonisation plans developed.
A Wage Subsidised Training Scheme led to 10 people receiving offers of employment as a direct result of placements.
In terms of research a local skills barometer survey was carried out to assist future skills provision for our County and The Towns Green Infrastructure Plan 2022 created.
The flexibility of the project programme also allowed existing resources to be used to aid Ukrainians settling in Pembrokeshire, aiding their integration into the local community.
Feedback from those taking part in the project was positive.
One participant said: “I am grateful for the organisation of the training, help and support at every stage.
“It was a useful experience that gave me confidence, taught me professional vocabulary, and gave me the opportunity to climb to another level of professional growth. Thank you.”
Another added: “By completing my placement alongside my course work it gave me an insight into the educational field. It helped build up my confidence and new skills as I worked my way through the course which was even more beneficial.”
Rachel Moxey, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Economic Development & Regeneration, said: “We were delighted with the achievements of the project and with our partners in the limited time period.
“The Project provided investment in people, communities and business and aided many of those disadvantaged at a local level. This pilot project has now closed but the lessons and pathways will also aid us in developing future initiatives that will further aid Pembrokeshire residents through such avenues as the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
Cllr Paul Miller, Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Pembrokeshire was fortunate to have received a significant award from the UKCRF fund for the Enterprise and Skills project and now that the project has finished, the hard work of the team and partners has enabled local people to enter new training opportunities, support local businesses, and facilitated the creation of new jobs.”
The ESP was delivered alongside key partners Business in Focus, Cwmpas (formerly Wales Co-operative Centre), Providence Training, Futureworks, Pembrokeshire Youth Service, Milford Youth Matters, Pembrokeshire College Energy, Engineering and Tourism; Green Infrastructure Plan 2022 by Land Use Consultants Ltd, Skills Barometer by Oakbank Ltd and the Council’s Wage Subsidised Training Scheme.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
