Stuck in a career rut? A Personal Learning Account might be the answer

Stuck in a career rut? A Personal Learning Account might be the answer

We’re working with the Welsh Government to launch a new initiative offering people the chance to gain the skills and qualifications they need to re-write their career.

Courses designed to tackle a skills shortage in Wales in sectors such as engineering, construction and ICT are on offer for people who are looking for a new career. Coleg Gwent in south east Wales has been chosen along with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai in north Wales to run these (PLA) courses in a two year pilot scheme backed by the Welsh Government. The scheme is available to anyone living in Wales over the age of 19 who is in employment, but earning less than £26k per year.

The Personal Learning Account pilot offers employed people the chance to access free and flexible courses within the engineering, construction or ICT sectors to gain the relevant skills and qualifications they need to kick-start a new career. It is expected that the project will support around 1,000 participants over the lifetime of the pilot. Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Education, said: “Employers within the engineering, construction and ICT sectors are experiencing rising skill shortages and are looking to recruit individuals with the relevant vocational skills and qualifications they need to fill current and future gaps. This new project will help them to do that.

“A pilot programme will run for two years and on completion the programme will be reviewed with the intention of more courses becoming available across a wider variety of sectors, further opening up the opportunities for people to switch careers.” Ken Skates, the Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “In the economic climate we face, the right to lifelong learning becomes more important than ever and this initiative has been designed to help people in Wales upskill and overcome barriers that might be holding them back from realising their full potential. ”

Our new Personal Learning Accounts will give individuals the opportunity to obtain the skills, knowledge and qualifications they need to embark on a new career, and do so in a way that fits around their lifestyle. “Personal Learning Accounts will also benefit our economy, helping to ensure that employers can recruit people with the skills and qualifications they need to enable their businesses to flourish and grow.” If you’re looking for a new career then take a look at the courses on offer and apply now.