Tech Valleys project ‘to create 1,500 jobs over next 10 years’
The Welsh Government will today announce a 10-year vision to transform part of the Gwent Valleys into a world leading centre for advanced manufacturing.
The vision revolves around emerging technologies in the automotive sector and the Technology Park announced by Economy Secretary Ken Skates during the summer.
The park was initally put forward as a sort of compensation for the area after the Welsh Government decided it could not back the Circuit of Wales project because of its high potential cost for uncertain return.
In its Tech Valleys’ project the Welsh Government hopes to create more than 1,500 jobs over 10 years in new technologies and advanced manufacturing, with Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent sitting at the heart of the vision.
The focus will be on developing advanced skills in present and future generations, allowing local people to fill high quality jobs while staying in the their local areas.
The scheme is also intended to boost entrepreneurialism in the area.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “We have allocated £100m to Tech Valleys over the next 10 years with the aim of creating 1,500 jobs. In reality the value of overall activity will be much higher as we work to leverage in other private and public sector investors.
“And in line with our new Economic Action Plan, Tech Valleys will have the principles of growth, fair work and decarbonisation at its heart while seeking to spread the fruits of economic growth to areas that have not fared so well in recent years.”
The Economy Secretary also announced that the Welsh Government has agreed to lease the former Techboard Building in Rassau as part of the Tech Valleys project.
It is hoped that the building will eventually house the first manufacturing facility in Wales for car maker TVR, which will build its new Griffith, launched at Goodwood in September, in the new factory when it is completed in 2019.
Mr Skates added: “I expect projects at Tech Valleys to include innovative areas such as the development and testing of battery and motor technology, 5G activity, and the infrastructure needed for automated and ultra low-emission vehicles, and to include a mix of short, medium and long-term activities and targets.
“On that note I am proud to announce that as part of Tech Valleys the Welsh Government has agreed to lease the former Techboard Building in Rassau, and we will now swiftly be investing in its refurbishment to ensure the project attracts the key sector businesses the project needs to succeed.
“Indeed we know this is a building that TVR would like to use for its planned manufacturing facility here.”
The Welsh Government says it will now work with the Dewan Foundation Trust, which owns the former Tech building, and invest in a multimillion pound refurbishment project in order to attract the key sector businesses the project needs.
Mr Skates added: “Our vision document for Tech Valleys sets out exciting and ambitious plans, and I have no doubt that these are dependant on national leadership and effective partnership working.
“We will be building on the valuable work already undertaken by Ebbw Vale Enterprise Board to progress these plans while also building on wider national and international expertise from business, academia and the public sector.
“Through a partnership approach and sustained clever working, I look forward to us making this ambitious but achievable vision a reality to benefit Ebbw Vale and stimulate growth across the heads of the valleys.”
Mark Langshaw, chair of the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone Board, added: “By working very positively with the Welsh Government, I am pleased to see that the former Techboard building will soon be brought back into active use and assist with the successful delivery of the Tech Valleys vision.
“This is a key step in delivery of the vision and the aspiration to create 1,500 jobs for the people of Blaenau Gwent and beyond.”