Tech Valleys programme

The Tech Valleys programme aims to make the south Wales Valleys a globally recognised centre for developing new technologies to support cutting edge industry.

The programme encourages businesses to:

• adopt digital technologies
• develop advanced technologies to support cutting edge industries

Read the Tech Valleys strategic plan to find out more about the aims and objectives of the programme.

Find out more about how we can develop new technologies in the south Wales valleys: Tech Valleys: vision

2017

In 2017 we launched the Tech Valleys vision.

2018

In 2018 we:

• created the Tech Valleys Strategic Advisory Group
• launched the Tech Valleys strategic plan
• made a funding commitment: Welsh Government investing a further £25 million in Tech Valleys by 2021

2019

In 2019 we announced the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC): National Data Exploitation Centre (NDEC) | Trade and Invest Wales

2020

In 2020:

• developed the Tech Valleys communications strategy and published a Tech Valleys brochure
• launched the Tech Valleys Business Productivity Enhancement Project (BPEP)
• work started on the Lime Avenue hybrid units.

2021

In 2021:

• announced the 5G Wales Unlocked project: Plans for new tech cluster in Ebbw Vale move forward
• supported the creation of the Centre for Digital Public Services
• launched the Peer to Peer Network Support programme
• invested in the first HiVE Hubs at Coleg Gwent and Tredegar Comprehensive School
• Wales Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP) launched
• work started on REGAIN 2
• work on Former Tech Board building began
• BPEP work continued and was rolled out across South East Wales

2022

In 2022:

• we announced Welsh Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP) successes: New funding to inspire young people in ‘tech valleys’ to be scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians of the future
• Lime Avenue Hybrid Units completed and occupied
• ResilientWorks started: ResilientWorks | Thales
• the Tech Valleys Skills Gap Review led to the creation of the STEM facilitation project and the work was shortlisted in the Wales STEM Awards
• we made available significant seed funding to kick start the detailed design and development of HiVE, to deliver a high-quality teaching space for up-to 600 post-16 students and businesses, with classrooms, study areas and workshops kitted out with state-of the-art robotics and manufacturing equipment.
• we supported three further HiVE Hubs at Abertillery Learning Community, Brynmawr Foundation School and Ebbw Fawr Learning Community
• Immersive classroom launched (part of wider 5G Wales Unlocked project)
• The wider BPEP work continued: Wiltan LTD | Business Wales Caerphilly - Caerphilly County Borough

2023

In 2023:

• the Welsh Valleys Engineering Project and the Tech Valleys Blaenau Gwent Stem Facilitation Project given additional support to increase the range of activities for schools.
• HeadStart University experience taster events were held
• work continues with Internet of Things and LoRaWaN demonstrator
• Real impact of the BPEP was reported
• construction began on the HIVE site and was visited by the Secretary of State for Wales
• Blaenau Gwent Stem Facilitation Project was again shortlisted in the Wales STEM awards
• the Chief Scientific Officer visited Tredegar Comprehensive School and successful HiVE Hub
• Regain 2 was successfully completed providing a 10,000 sq. ft. Business Enterprise Centre for new tech start-ups.

2024

In 2024:

• The Royal Academy of Engineering was awarded grant to administer four bursaries over two years to students undertaking A-level or full time technical vocational qualifications in subjects key to the Tech Valleys objectives.
• The Welsh Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP) has had another very successful year, marking the end of the seventh year of the project and third year of Tech Valleys support. The WVEP Employer Engagement Strand Evaluation Report was published in July 2024.
• Tech Valleys awarded grant via Smart FIS Programme to SME business with growth, productivity and decarbonisation targets.
• Tech Valleys support for ResilientWorks concluded in September 2024.  Sitting alongside the NDEC, ResilientWorks creates a campus of activity offering a living laboratory for developing and testing autonomous vehicle systems and resilient energy infrastructure.
• The NDEC has engaged with 216 schools reaching almost 11,000 pupils raising awareness and participation in cyber-related learning pathways. It has supported 10 PhDs and Masters in Cyber Security students, funded 21 bursaries in cyber security and related disciplines, worked on more than 400 projects in the applied digital trust environment and almost 150 other fee-paying projects.
• Goldworks, formerly Regain 2, was successfully opened in October 2024.  Goldworks offers 10,440 sq. ft. co-working space and meeting rooms through various contract options. Tech Valleys invested £7 million into the completion of the space.
• The Welsh Valleys Engineering Project – This is Engineering – Welsh Valleys was awarded funding to run to March 2028, extending the geographical area to reach more employers and schools in Caerphilly and Monmouthshire as well as Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil.
• The Tech Valleys STEM Facilitation project has continued to deliver over the last year, with 18 new businesses engaged and all 29 schools engaged in 2024 to 2025. In October Blaenau Gwent team won the STEM Educational Programme of the Year (Public Sector) Award at the Wales STEM Awards. In December 2024 the STEM Facilitation team co-ordinated a STEAM Inspiration Event, run in conjunction with Careers Wales, giving around 500 students, from all 29 schools in the borough, the opportunity to meet with 30 local businesses to engage and inspire the students future career opportunities.
• HIVE Hubs in Schools has been awarded Tech Valleys funding to enable the activity to be replicated further over financial years 2024/25 to 2026/27 and across the wider Tech Valleys region and in to Monmouthshire. In November 2024, Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, visited Ebbw Fawr Learning Community to celebrate National Engineering Day.

For further information about Tech Valleys, email: TechValleys@gov.wales