Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:38 pm on 11 July 2017.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you, Minister, for this update today on what is not only a key aspect of Welsh Government policy but also something that is absolutely key if we’re going to achieve prosperity and security for our people, our communities and, ultimately, our economy. I welcome the across-Government approach that you outline in your statement and the recognition that the employability strategy needs to be cross-cutting because we know that work and access to work do not function in isolation, that there are a number of other factors that need to be in place, such as decent schools, housing and transport and support networks, which also play a pivotal part. Other colleagues have touched on the pilot of Better Jobs, Closer to Home. So, can I ask, in that vein, am I assuming that it will also align with the new economic strategy and the regional approach of that? Because a political and personal priority of mine is that young people in particular in my region, if they don’t wish to move away, should be able to access opportunity on their doorstep. In line with that, one of the things that’s been raised with me regularly on a local level is the number of young people, perhaps school leavers and college leavers, who perhaps aren’t that well equipped for the world of work, who don’t have the knowledge of what their responsibilities are, what their rights are. So, perhaps, if we are looking at an across-Government approach, is there an opportunity to see how that can be aligned with the new curriculum to make sure we are giving our young people the tools they need to succeed?
One very final quick point, because I know we’re pressed for time: I think transport is absolutely key in looking at services and infrastructure, as you say in the employability delivery plan. Because in a recent event I held earlier this year on looking at the economic challenges for the region, transport came up time and time again. Just to quote, ‘It’s very prohibitive for young people who can’t afford to drive to get to work.’ And also, ‘There needs to be an integrated transport system.’ So, I’d hope perhaps that could be something that could be considered as part of looking at things like big projects in the pipeline, such as the north-east Wales metro.