Ensuring that the demands of industry are aligned with the content and format of educational programs is an ongoing concern for governments around the globe.
Graduates too, are keen to ensure that they are furnished with the ‘employability’ skills that will help them hit the ground running when they enter the workforce for the first time.
Now new plans announced by the Welsh government could help to create skilled employees that have the expertise and knowledge in place to help businesses grow.
Announced by Wales’ Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, the 10-year Skills Implementation Plan will help support businesses get the skills they need for their operations.
How does the plan help graduate workers?
Central to plans is the Skills Priorities Program, led by Wales’ FE sector, a scheme that will respond to the needs of local firms and develop industry-led skills accordingly. This will mean that graduates and other entrants into the Welsh workforce have received training that is tailored to the needs of industry.
Explaining further, the Deputy Minister said: “If Wales is going to be able to compete in the global economy, then we have to have a sustainable system where government, employers and individuals all take shared responsibility for skills.
“In developing this plan, we have listened to the views of our employers and have set out a numbers of actions to help meet their skills needs, and the needs of their employees.
“Above all, we want to see a more flexible skills system which can adapt to changes in the labor market and respond to the needs of priority sectors within our economy.”
Alongside these new plans graduates can also vie for an opportunity on the Financial Services Graduate Scheme in Wales. Launched last year, the scheme gives 20 graduates the opportunity to experience working life in the financial services sector first hand.
Those on the Welsh government funded program will receive structured training ending in a newly created post-graduate qualification, an MSc in Financial Services from the University of South Wales’ school of Law, Accounting and Finance.