A £2.2 million scheme to help over 1,200 employees boost their skills and support Pembrokeshire's growing energy sector has been announced by Science, Innovation and Skills Deputy Minister, Lesley Griffiths.

The Pembrokeshire Energy Sector Training project will help workers get the training needed to succeed in their careers and address the skills shortage within the oil and gas industry in the county.

Led by Pembrokeshire College, the three year scheme is backed with £1.4 million from the Convergence European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Assembly government with further funding from the College and the private sector.


Working alongside local businesses in the sector, Pembrokeshire College will deliver work based learning to NVQ level 3 and above, as well as a range of non-accredited training, in much needed areas such as IT, maintenance, construction, engineering and management.

A laboratory will also be established at the Haverfordwest campus to train future instrumentation technicians who can work in nearby refineries. Use of software simulation programmes will help participants gain experience and skills that can be deployed in the workplace.

Minister Griffiths, said: "Harnessing those skills needed to support the energy sector in west Wales is vital to ensure the workforce is equipped to maximise employment opportunities. Our management of EU funds provides the resources to achieve this ambition, securing highly skilled, quality jobs."

The scheme will help businesses to develop more efficient working practices, introduce new systems and support innovation in the workplace as employees raise their skills. It is expected that this will result in new products, processes and services to drive forward growth in the sector.

(CD/KMcA)