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A Welsh Government programme which helps people aged 19 and over improve their skills and employment prospects has received a £3m boost to focus on digital and net zero skills.

Personal Learning Accounts (PLA) provides free courses for adults on lower incomes in Wales to gain new skills and qualifications to change or progress their careers.

The Welsh government has pledged £1m to train people in areas such as cyber, programming, data analysis, network and cloud infrastructure, database management, and digital analysis skills.

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The remaining £2m funding will be invested in upskilling or re-skilling adults in net zero for the construction, energy, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Since the programme launched in 2019 over £51m has been invested and 30,000 adults in Wales have benefitted. Around 16,000 individuals have enrolled on the 2021/22 programme alone.

Of those 16,000, 36% were between the ages of 26-35 and 33% aged 36-50.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles said: “We are delighted to make this announcement during Adult Learners’ Week Personal Learning Accounts provide excellent opportunities for people to re-train to find the right career for them. Digital training and net zero skills are areas we know that employers are increasingly looking for as a skills base, while also being aligned with our commitments to be a greener, stronger, fairer Wales.

“The PLA programme has had an excellent response since its launch, and I would encourage individuals wanting to develop their careers to find out more.”

Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething said: “It’s fantastic to see that so many people across Wales are taking advantage of the courses available through Personal Learning Accounts.

“The cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on household disposable income, so it’s imperative that we continue to fund and tailor vocational training to individuals who are looking for a brighter future. Personal Learning Account courses not only help to upskill individuals, but they are essential in filling vital talent gaps within our economy.”

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