Minister backs apprenticeships to drive Welsh skills and growth
Minister backs apprenticeships to drive Welsh skills and growth
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Jack Sargeant MS says apprenticeships must be viewed on an equal footing with traditional university routes as Wales navigates major skills shortages that could shape the country’s economic future.
Sargeant, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnerships, spoke to The Business in Wales Podcast, sponsored by Sinclair Group, while visiting Venue Cymru in Llandudno to announce new capital investment for arts organisations.
Before entering politics, Sargeant began his career as an engineering apprentice, a choice he believes gave him the foundations to progress into ministerial office.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” he explained. “I found the apprenticeship route was the right route for me. It was that way of earning a wage, but also gaining the qualifications to be in industry.”
He added that the pathway remained open to those who later want a degree. “I was lucky enough to finish my apprenticeship and then be supported by the employer to go and get my degree in industrial engineering as well.”
In a candid moment, he also described the more youthful motivation behind the decision: “One of the main reasons, to be frank, is I wanted a car.”
Sargeant went on to represent Alyn and Deeside in the Senedd after the death of his father, the late Carl Sargeant. At 23, he was the youngest member ever elected.
“We should have people of different ages. We should have people from different backgrounds,” he said, highlighting the rarity of engineering experience in British politics. “We should reflect the communities that we represent.”
He credits his industrial background with giving him a practical approach to problem-solving and teamwork.
“Being on the shop floor, dealing with customers in high pressure environment, [it] gives you the skills to go on to being able to do what I am doing today.”
As a former apprentice, Sargeant is now directly responsible for the national skills agenda. He urged both young people and employers to consider the full range of training opportunities.
“I don’t think it’s the case of putting apprenticeships above the more traditional route. Just let apprenticeships be part of that conversation as well.”
Businesses facing recruitment challenges should look to existing programmes, he said, including a six-fold increase in funding for the Flexible Skills Programme.
“There is funding available now…It is a successful program, and it may be something there where your business can be supported.”
Sargeant also backed efforts to help people back into work through initiatives like the UK-Welsh Government Trailblazers scheme but stressed the need for balance.
“There are also experiences where that can’t be the case and they need support in another way as well. The important thing is about supporting people.”
With a Senedd election on the horizon and polling uncertainty ahead, the Minister insisted Welsh Labour remains focused on delivery.
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