4. 4. Statement: Employability

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:30 pm on 15 November 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 3:30, 15 November 2016

Can I thank the Minister for her statement today? It’s been very important to look at where we are going to attack some of the issues that affect some of the most deprived communities. I was going to ask about the levy, but I think you’ve answered that quite clearly. [Interruption]. No, it’s okay.

But the issues we talked about—clearly, you’ve mentioned it a little bit, but I was disappointed to see in the paper, in the statement itself, no mention of transportation. You have mentioned it in your response to Llyr Gruffydd, in one point, but I think the issue of transportation is critical. Because, if you are focusing upon the needs of the individual, it’s about how that individual gets access to some of those services, not just some of the employment opportunities, but also some of the advice that may be available as well. So, I think we need to look at the issue of transportation.

In your statement, you mention that it’s going to be nationally commissioned, regionally managed. Now, does that actually mean there’s a role for regional skills partnerships? What is their role, and can you perhaps focus upon the south Wales partnership, in particular, and the plan they have, and how that fits into the agenda of the employment advice service?

Can you also look at perhaps how this scheme would work with other schemes in operation, particularly in my area, with the steel taskforce, and how that’s going to fit in to this whole picture as well—because, clearly, we have many individuals who need the support and services they are providing—and how that fits in with that?

Minister, it’s important we tackle the challenges faced by our deprived communities—our post-industrial communities—who are facing some tough times ahead of them. I look forward to seeing how this works for those people.