Our goal is to provide opportunities to create resilient individuals who have the skills, enthusiasm, drive and creativity to fulfil their potential, irrespective of ability, background, gender or ethnicity. This plan is a longer term view of how we can deliver this vision, and we'll be taking action in four key areas.

First, we'll provide individualised support for those who need it. We'll create a new, more streamlined and efficient system of support to help people into work. This will be responsive to an individual’s needs and it will be easier to access and navigate for individuals and their advisers. Our new employment advice gateway will operate a 'no wrong door' approach and will be the first port of call for people who are not in work.

Working Wales is our new employability programme, which will support people into work by removing barriers and raising skills levels. The programme will support unemployed, economically inactive and not in education, employment or training individuals aged 16 and over to enter sustained employment, an apprenticeship, or self-employment. Procurement details for Working Wales will be released at the end of this month.

Secondly, we're asking employers to do more to support their workers. Upskilling the workforce is central to our goal of increasing productivity levels in Wales. Employers have a responsibility to upskill their workers, support their staff, and provide fair work. We're calling on employers to play their part in promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces and prioritising skills development so that those in employment can thrive in work. We encourage employers to work with unions and other social partners where possible to invest in the workforce and to plan for the long-term future of their companies and the future of their staff.

Thirdly, we'll respond to local and national skills gaps. We'll set out a national framework to prioritise the areas where we see growth potential and skills gaps. Of particular importance are those areas identified as priorities in the economic action plan, and those sectors most likely to be affected by Brexit. Working in partnership on a regional basis, we'll ensure that the supply of qualifications in higher education, further education and work-based learning matches the needs of the local and regional businesses.

And finally, we're preparing for a radical shift in the world of work. Wales must be ready for the future. As a nation, we'll prepare today to meet the skills requirements of tomorrow, so we can harness the full potential of emerging technological developments. We know that the pace and nature of technological change is increasing dramatically. The sectors that have traditionally driven our economy may decline and new and emerging sectors will take their place. We're reforming our education system already to encourage ambitious, capable learners who can contribute creatively and enterprisingly to the world of work as informed and confident citizens. But we must also support the ageing workforce, who must be able to upskill and learn throughout their lives in order to thrive in employment. To achieve this, we're scoping a pilot individual learning account scheme, which will provide funding for retraining in priority sectors. We also recognise the growth in self-employment and are working with partners to support those setting up in business.

We are, however, living in politically unstable times. We're clear about the task ahead and how we plan to act to increase employment and make Wales a high-tech nation, but unforeseen events may knock us off course. This could include a significant economic hit as a result of a poor trade deal with the EU or if the UK Government were to renege on its promise that Wales would not be financially worse off as a result of Brexit. Many of our employment programmes hitherto have been financed by the EU, and we will work closely on future funding arrangements with the UK Government.