Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 29 September 2021.
Well, there are a couple of things there that I'd point out. I've had a number of conversations with our chief scientific adviser, and, actually, the value generated from scientific research here in Wales is really significant and we do really well compared to other parts of the UK. Where we don't do so well is in winning funds from competitive bidding processes. So, there is something there about—again, a point about making sure we do generate our fair share, because when money comes to Wales it is well used. That's a conversation, because we do understand the UK Government is looking to invest more in science, innovation, research and development, and we want to make sure that doesn't go to the golden triangle around the south east, but actually it comes to across the UK, where the money will be well used.
And your point about skills more broadly—well, we've had conversations yesterday and a bit today about investing in skills and some of those challenges. I've already met with the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, who run a graduate programme focusing on financial services, data and artificial intelligence, and I'm really clear that we're providing something, together with the industry, that is of real value and valued by the sector. That's part of the reason why the cluster here, in and around Cardiff, is recognised as a potential growth area, because we already have higher education institutions providing a range of skills and opportunities and a willingness from the sector to engage with those institutions to further develop new skills, and the graduate programme itself is well regarded within the sector. So, I look for more opportunities to grow this sector, with the jobs that will come, but also well-paid jobs, to see those people have clear routes in Wales and help us in the broader Welsh economy.