1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd on 13 July 2022.
6. What are the Welsh Government's economic priorities for Preseli Pembrokeshire for the next 12 months? OQ58334
Thank you. Our priorities continue to be to support new and existing businesses through Business Wales services and the regional team. We have provided extensive support through the pandemic and the post-Brexit trading world. We are committed to delivering a greener, more equal and prosperous economy for all parts of Wales.
Thank you for that response, Minister. It's vital that the Welsh Government works with local authorities, and indeed stakeholders, to identify skills and capacity deficits in local areas in order to meet shifting market demands. You may be aware that EDF Renewables UK, DP Energy and Pembrokeshire College have collaborated to deliver a course called Destination Renewables, which prepares students for future jobs in the renewable energy sector. Minister, what is the Welsh Government doing to support this type of collaboration in Pembrokeshire, so that it can help build a workforce that meets future skills needs? And what investment is the Welsh Government making in sectors like renewable energy, so that we can start to develop Wales's expertise in this particular sector?
Well, the example you've given is an example of what we need to see more of, with industry working together with the institutions that we fund—the college, for example, the funding it will receive through Welsh Government—but it also, I think, points to the point on needing more clarity and certainty for investors to make those choices. When I've recently been in Pembrokeshire, talking to one of the businesses with a significant interest in our renewables future, they have made this point. It's a regular part of the conversations we have. I met the Crown Estate, together with Julie James the Minister for Climate Change, and again making the point that a greater level of certainty and a forward-looking programme would allow greater investor confidence to make longer term investments that will benefit infrastructure in our ports and the jobs that come from it on the manufacture side as well. You'll see it from the point of view of the skills that we think we're going to need and how we're going to be able to help people to do more of that when we get to the net-zero skills plan that we're expecting to publish this autumn. I think you've asked me questions on that in the past. So, these things are all connected. If we get this right, then there really is a significant economic return to be made for Wales, not just the wider benefit of having cleaner, greener power. I look forward to updating the Member and the Chamber on that work.
Question 7 [OQ58342] is withdrawn. Question 8, Rhun ap Iorwerth.