Training Facility Launches in Port Talbot​

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A skills academy focused on the development of fabrication and welding skills in Port Talbot has launched.

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Port Talbot-based JES Group has launched The JES Skills Academy – a Centre of Excellence for the development of fabrication and welding skills. This aligns with industry needs, the drive to Net Zero and the opportunities presented by the Celtic Freeport.

The academy on Port Talbot Docks will run a full range of specialist training courses for groups including school pupils, apprentices, existing welders and employment seekers.

Its objective is to future proof the fabrication and welding learning process and deliver an enterprise class blended training centre. This is with services that address the fabrication and welding industry's skills shortage across South West Wales.

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Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru's member of Senedd South Wales West, welcomed the academy.

She said: "As the region reels from the devastating news from TATA Steel, the focus must be on re-training and re-skilling to ensure workers keep their jobs and transition to carbon-neutral steelmaking. We cannot hope to attract the inward investment necessary and benefit from the opportunities provided by the Renewable Energy Industry and the drive to a Net Zero economy, without a highly skilled labour force, and Skills Academies such as the one launched by the JES Group will play a crucial role."

Labour MP for Aberavon Stephen Kinnock said: "It's an impressive academy and I was blown away by what they are providing there. In the midst of the devastating news around the steelworks, JES is an Aberavon success story and shows that Port Talbot is open for business."

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Spokesperson for JES, Sam Owen said: "The Skills Academy was originally conceived as a means of improving the training that the JES Group was providing its own apprenticeship programme. We needed to ensure that our apprentices were industry ready and in a position to contribute positively to employment immediately on completion of their training. Our original aims and objectives have very quickly developed. What we have now, is a Centre of Excellence for all of South Wales."

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