3. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Tata Steel

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:56 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:56, 17 November 2020

Can I thank Suzy Davies for her question? And she's absolutely right: people employed by Tata are amongst the most skilled in Europe in terms of the steel sector, and, as a Welsh Government, we've been pleased to be able to invest £11.7 million in terms of skills training funding since 2016. Apprenticeships have played a key role across all of the Tata sites, and our understanding is that Tata remain fully committed to providing apprenticeship opportunities even in these uncertain times, and, of course, the Welsh Government has recently announced an incentive for businesses to take on apprentices, including, importantly, young apprentices. So, for every young apprentice aged under 25 that a business takes on, they'll receive an incentive of £3,000, and this could prove hugely important to larger employers like Tata in retaining or taking on apprentices during the course of the pandemic and then the recovery. But I'll happily write to Members with further details of Tata's plans for their apprenticeship provision.