Can I first congratulate the Chair and the members of the EIS committee for their work in identifying the necessary steps that may be necessary to restart and reinvigorate the economy post COVID-19, which are contained in all of their 34 recommendations? Before I go into the report, I wish to make the point that we are still unaware of the situation surrounding the co-prosperity fund. That fund will supposedly take the place of the EU structural fund. As this fund will play a major part in how Wales will recover from the COVID crisis, we must all in this Chamber support the Minister in his efforts to secure a commitment from the UK Government as to how and when these funds will be allocated.

The report acknowledges that there has been broad-based support for the actions taken by both the UK and Welsh Governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, they pointed out the comment from Josh Miles from the Federation of Small Businesses that, thankfully, we had the Development Bank of Wales and Business Wales, which were able to respond quickly and effectively to the crisis.

There should be no doubt that COVID-19 may change the way we live and work forever, but we just do not know at this time by exactly how much. We must realise that, with so many imponderables, it is difficult for any Government to plan future economic strategies. The Minister for the economy has stated that the big strategic aims of fair work, decarbonisation, reducing regional economic inequalities have not changed, but we know some things will have to change, and it is important that these are identified and discussed and acted upon as soon as possible.

Wales has the highest proportion of businesses applying for the CJRS and the highest proportion of buy-in for UK Government schemes. Sadly, Wales and its people will once again be one of the regions that may suffer some of the highest number of job losses due to the pandemic.

There is one area, however, where I believe the Welsh Government could look to implement recovery strategies at this present time. It is said that upgrading of skills is one of the fastest ways of ensuring those who have lost their jobs will not stay unemployed for long periods. We believe the Welsh Government should, with urgency, look to establishing large-scale training centres. I would ask the Government to look at facilities at St Athan, where suitable buildings and even accommodation are available as the Ministry of Defence scales down its operations on the site. The Welsh Government could look to establish a Welsh national skills centre, building on, not replacing, those facilities that already exist. This could put Wales at the forefront of a revolution in providing skilled people ready work in the high-skilled sector. Such a high-profile facility would help attract investors in the high-tech industries, building, of course, on the establishment of the Aston Martin facility in St Athan.

So, can I add my own recommendation to the 34 already outlined by the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee? Build a high-tech centre for vocational skills, if not at St Athan, then in some other part of Wales.