Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Delivering more and better jobs remains a central priority for this Welsh Government.
Over the course of this Senedd term, our actions and investments have created or safeguarded nearly 46,000 jobs. These are real jobs in real places - manufacturers adding new shifts, tech firms expanding, creative companies hiring local talent, and new apprentices taken on in every part of Wales.
We continue to invest across the sectors that power our economy.
Through Business Wales, the Development Bank of Wales, Creative Wales, Farming Connect, Visit Wales and wider support including our extensive exports programme, our innovation has helped secure jobs, support rural economies, and build a workforce equipped for the future.
To demonstrate the breadth and impact of our support for businesses across Wales, I am pleased to highlight several examples that showcase the diversity and reach of our work:
- Siemens Healthineers, Llanberis - Welsh Government support has underpinned a new Centre of Excellence for advanced manufacturing and research, safeguarding 400 roles and creating almost 100 new, high skilled jobs.
- Jayplas, Gorseinon - A £12m Welsh Government grant, alongside private investment, is doubling Wales’ plastic reprocessing capacity and creating over 100 skilled jobs, supporting both the local economy and our net zero ambitions.
- Raven Delta Group - Supported through the Accelerated Growth Programme, the company has unified its operations, strengthening leadership and creating 20 quality jobs in engineering, digital and compliance.
A strong economy needs a skilled workforce. We are on track to deliver 100,000 all-age apprenticeship opportunities during this Senedd term – opening up new, high-quality pathways into work. Through the Young Person’s Guarantee, more than 60,000 young people have already accessed education, training, employment, or personalised support to start a business.
We are also investing in the industries that will shape Wales’ future prosperity - including hydrogen production, carbon capture, advanced manufacturing and green technologies.
The confirmation of Wylfa as the site for the UK’s first Small Modular Reactor marks a significant milestone. Backed by £2.5 billion investment, the project will create thousands of skilled jobs, develop a world class supply chain in north Wales and help secure clean, reliable energy for decades to come.
Next week, the First Minister’s International Investment Summit will bring global investors and Welsh businesses together to unlock new partnerships and attract further investment into Wales.
This government’s commitment is clear: we will keep working with employers, trade unions, local government and communities to deliver more job opportunities, higher skilled work, and a fairer, more resilient Welsh economy.