Government Skills
15 May 2009
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths have welcomed the first annual report prepared by the Wales Employment and Skills Board (WESB).
WESB was created as an independent advisory body to Welsh Ministers in May 2008. One of its key activities was to provide an annual report to Ministers and UK Commission for Employment and Skills on the progress within Wales towards our employment and skills targets whilst identifying best practice, barriers and possible solutions.
In accepting the report from Sir Adrian Webb, Chair of the Wales Employment and Skills Board, the Deputy First Minister thanked Sir Adrian and his team for their hard work and said that the Welsh Assembly Government would now consider the report's recommendations.
Ieuan Wyn Jones said:
“I have said on a number of occasions that the Welsh economy must emerge from this recession far stronger and more sustainable than when the downturn began. Ensuring that our policies are geared towards creating growth in the private sector and enhancing the skills of our workforce are essential components in our efforts to transform the Welsh economy.
“It is also true that we must build on the new model of co-operation we've created in Wales between private industry, our education and training institutions, the voluntary sector and the trade unions in order to plan for the future.”
John Griffiths said:
“Many of the preliminary recommendations made by Sir Adrian Webb and his team are already being implemented. Every possible effort is being made to ensure Welsh businesses not only weather the global recession, but emerge in a more competitive and stronger position.
“I welcome this contribution from the Wales Employment and Skills Board and I look forward to reading the report and its recommendations in detail as we continue to do everything in our powers to help people, businesses and communities through the current global recession.”
