Author: Rhys Gregory

New data from this year’s Business Barometer report published by The Open University in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, has found that almost half of Welsh employers (47%) are still reporting worrying skills shortages. The annual report, which surveyed 125 Welsh businesses and monitors the current UK skills landscape, highlights that although the landscape  in Wales has improved in the last 12 months, skills shortages remain a prevalent issue across all sectors. Despite this, less than one in 20 (6%) Welsh organisations have implemented a written skills plan for their workforce this year, hindering the ability to strategically…

Fine Art Lecturer, Alex Duncan, has created images of Swansea’s Sea Wall for exhibition at the Pontio Centre in Bangor. The work is part of a Sea Exhibition which features the work of artists, poets and filmmakers and runs until 7 July. Alex, who lectures sculpture and material-led investigation at Swansea College of Art, said: “This work consists of 9 aluminium panels that detail a walked scan of a seawall in Swansea. The thinness of the Aluminium allows the form to curve back over itself, echoing the original curve of the concrete wall – a space that I would seek…

Forecasters are signalling the prospect of higher temperatures to come into the early part of this week. A weak weather front will push east across most areas today and into tomorrow. This will bring some wetter conditions to parts of Northern Ireland and western Britain, but will quickly weaken as it comes east on Saturday morning. Dan Rudman is a Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist. He said: “After a brief, less settled interlude today and tomorrow, fine conditions will return by Sunday and into the beginning of next week. For much of the UK this will be accompanied by a boost…

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC are invited to attend flag raising events in Neath and Port Talbot on Monday, June 24th, 2024, to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. The events will take place outside Neath Port Talbot Council’s Port Talbot and Neath Civic Centres. Flags will be raised at 10.30am. Armed Forces Week is a chance for residents to show their support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community, from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets Armed Forces Week culminates each year on the last Saturday of June with Armed Forces Day,…

Creative Wales has announced £300,000 in funding to help grow and nurture the music industry in Wales. The second round of Creative Wales’s Music Revenue Fund 2 will open today [Monday, June 24]. The focus of this round is to help music businesses with: campaigns for new releases; promoting live music; producing music for background or incidental use in the media; and Welsh-language music. Rural label The Road Records were recipients of the previous round of revenue funding. The funding enabled the label to release an EP from Welsh cross-genre folk duo Samana. Samana / The Road Records are Franklin…

Grace Lewis had her eyes opened by NASA, was supported by University of South Wales and is now lead engineer at Aston Martin. To mark International Women in Engineering Day, The Welsh Government wants to shine a light on the range of initiatives aimed at encouraging girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers, such as funding programmes specifically focused at girls, with the aim of increasing the numbers from secondary schools engaging with STEM industries. It also fully funds degree apprenticeships in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing that combine real-world workplace learning with a higher education qualification. The Cabinet…

Buying a business is a significant decision that involves substantial financial investment and potential risks. One of the critical processes that prospective buyers must undertake is due diligence. Due diligence refers to the thorough investigation and evaluation of a business that a buyer performs before finalizing the transaction. This process is essential as it helps mitigate risks, ensures transparency, and provides crucial insights into the viability and health of the business being purchased. Here’s a detailed look at why due diligence is indispensable in the business acquisition process. Uncovering the Financial Health Financial due diligence is perhaps the most crucial…

There were positives to take for Cardiff City during the 2023/24 Championship campaign, as they finished 12th in the second-tier standings after some eye-catching results, particularly in the second-half of the season. The Bluebirds have now spent five seasons out of the top-flight, and their supporters will be eager to see them return to the Premier League at the earliest possible opportunity. The 12th place finish for Cardiff was their strongest finish in the last three league campaigns though, and so they can certainly take encouragement on that front heading into the 2024/25 Championship season, which gets underway in just…

Blackjack is one of the most iconic casino games of all time and is recognised all over the world, even featuring in countless movies and novels. With simple gameplay and good fun to be had, there are many aspects of the game to know or refresh yourself on. Find out everything you need to know about the legendary game of 21, whether you’re playing online Blackjack UK or at a land-based casino venue. The objective The main thing you should know about Blackjack is the objective of the game. It’s played with cards (check out playing card printing for a…

Cryptocurrencies have become more acceptable as a payment mode and it isn’t just Bitcoin alone. Nowadays, companies are adopting diverse digital currencies known as altcoins to suit different customer needs. Benefits of Accepting Multiple Cryptocurrencies Expanding the range of accept crypto payments systems an offer several advantages for businesses: Enhancing customer choice: By accepting various types of cryptocurrencies, businesses can appeal to many people. This adaptability can capture clients who prefer to use specific virtual money making customers happier altogether. Accessing Different Demographics: Various demographics find different types of cryptocurrencies appealing. For instance, young tech-savvy individuals may want newer altcoins…