A £4.4m EU-backed scheme to help boost management skills in North Wales has been announced by Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford.

The North Wales Business Academy will support business growth and competitiveness in the region by delivering university-accredited management qualifications to more than 1,000 employees over the next three years.

A Young Talent Academy will also be set up to develop and retain the next generation of managers in North Wales.

The North Wales Business Academy is aimed at companies with growth ambition in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, tourism and outdoor activities, the food and drinks industry and energy sector.

Subsidised opportunities for staff to achieve management qualifications will be available in areas including financial management, sales and marketing, business strategy, governance and operational skills and management.

The scheme will be led by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai in partnership with Coleg Cambria, Bangor and Glyndwr universities. Training will be delivered within the workplaces of participating employers.

Supported by £2.8m of EU funds, the scheme will enable employers to access training and staff development opportunities with subsidies of up to 70%. About 275 businesses across North Wales are expected to benefit from the scheme.
Mark Drakeford said:

“I’m very pleased to announce £2.8m of EU funding for the North Wales Business Academy, which will provide career development opportunities for business employees and, in turn, drive business competitiveness in key growth sectors in the region.

This investment goes to show how important EU funds are to Wales. We will be continuing to deliver our EU programmes, protecting Welsh interests during the UK Government’s negotiation on the terms of exit from the European Union.”