5. How does the Welsh Government intend to develop relationships with large companies based in Wales? OAQ53199

Thank you. The economic action plan sets out how we'll build a 'something for something' relationship with businesses of all sizes, based upon businesses sharing our values by contributing to a social cause. We're going to do this through the economic contract, through the calls to action, and through the economy futures fund, and, of course, that social cause is to drive inclusive growth with fair work for all.

I was interested also in his answer earlier, talking about what—the discussion about what we mean by anchor companies. That's an interesting development. Last week, I met with Admiral Group, Wales's only FTSE 100-listed company. They employ a substantial number of constituents in Caerphilly and nearly 8,000 staff across three sites in Wales. We discussed how that company had strategic links with the Welsh Government, and, from my perspective through the discussion, those strategic links seem to be fairly limited. One of the key things that a Government can help develop and grow is skills, particularly the skill needs of that organisation. They discussed some of their skill requirements and the fact that they've got the Admiral academy, which looks at professional and personal development of staff. I don't feel that there's enough of a strategic link between that and our education sector in Wales. Bearing in mind the Government's cross-portfolio approach to strategy, would the Minister commit to having high-level discussions with Admiral to explore how those strategic skill development links can be developed by the Government?

Can I thank Hefin David for his question and, furthermore, thank him for the keen interest that he's taken over many years in the skills system that we operate? I met the founder of Admiral just last autumn. We discussed, amongst many other issues, the availability of people with the right skills for the company, and I'd certainly meet with key stakeholders within the financial and professional services more widely in Cardiff. Of course, the Member is aware that the RSP—the regional skills partnership—for the Cardiff capital region has designated the financial and professional services sector as one of its priority sectors for the region as it seeks to plan—better plan—skills provision for the economy of the region and ensure that there is a closer alignment between what businesses require and what skills providers and training providers actually produce. Wales's larger employers such as Admiral are also allocated a dedicated senior skills relationship manager, who works very closely with them on their skills needs, and they also support businesses in facilitating productive engagement with the provider network, including further education colleges and higher education institutions. But I think, given that the RSPs are still in their infancy, there is still work to be done in ensuring that the fusing of business interests and the provision of skilled individuals is enhanced. 

Minister, my region depends on Tata, Ford and Sony, which are all major employers and a vital part of the supply chain. My region cannot afford to lose any more jobs. In recent years, all these major employers have scaled back their operations, leading to large job losses. This is a particularly worrying time for workers at the Bridgend Ford plant, and, as with Tata and Sony, the key to securing the plant's future lies in securing new and diverse business. Minister, when we spoke last year about the future of the Bridgend plant, I urged you to work with Ford to explore the move to an all-electric drivetrain being produced at Bridgend. Can you outline what progress, if any, has been made on this, and whether Ford Europe are even receptive to such a move? If so, what assistance will the Welsh Government give the plant to enable retooling to take place?

Well, we stand ready to support Ford in any way that we can. The First Minister was at the Bridgend site just this morning, meeting with site managers and also with trade union representatives. I said yesterday and I said earlier today that what could be critically important to the Bridgend site is the development of hybridised engines, including a hybrid Dragon engine, and Welsh Government stands ready to assist in any way that it can in ensuring that the Bridgend facility is a chosen facility for the hybridisation of the Dragon engine.

Within the forward work programme cycle for Ford, there are no obvious new engine products being developed, and we must await the outcome of talks with Volkswagen to determine whether Ford will utilise electric drivetrains from the German manufacturer. However, it is my intention to continue working closely with Ford and with social partners at Bridgend to ensure that the Dragon engine goes on being a success and that any additional demand for the Dragon engine results in increased capacity and, therefore, increased job opportunities at Bridgend, and, also, that whilst this work is ongoing, we seek every other opportunity to create employment, either through, or, potentially, both through hybridisation of the Dragon engine and through securing the Ineos investment.