Welsh social enterprise Meter Mon has launched a new forum this week to promote the skills and training opportunities from the Morlais tidal stream project on Anglesey.
Meter Mon has brought together experts from across training and education, as well as the economic development sector, to reinforce its commitment to ensuring the benefits of Morlais stay local.
The new group aims to highlight the job opportunities from the project as well as look at the skills required.
It will also give members a chance to look at potential gaps in local skills and to work with schools as well as further and higher education to plug those gaps.
Morlais director Karen Jones (pictured) chairs the new group.
She said: “I was delighted that we could launch this specialist group to focus on skills and training.
“The very reason Menter Mon was keen to develop Morlais was to ensure that this exciting project could benefit the local community.
“This is what has driven Morlais from the very beginning. Looking at skills and training needs at this early stage is a first step.
“I look forward to working with partners so that our young people have the right skills to make the most of what Morlais can offer.
“And, with a focus on green recovery, carbon reduction and tackling climate change, Morlais is in a strong position to play an important role and to put Anglesey on the map in terms of renewable energy.”
Aled Jones-Griffith is a principal at Coleg Menai, which is a member of the new group.
He said: “Morlais will bring real opportunities for our young people in terms of jobs and training, and I was pleased that we are part of the new working group.
“As a college we have excellent facilities at our STEM centre in Llangefni, I look forward to being a partner in the project as a training and apprenticeship provider.”
A supply chain working group also met for the first time this week.
It will work with local businesses and organisations to promote opportunities and make sure local companies play a key part as Morlais is developed.
The consent application for Morlais was submitted to the Welsh government in 2019, a decision is expected later this year.
Subject to approvals, the hope is that construction can start on land in 2021 and in the sea in 2023.
The project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh government and has also secured funding for consent and development from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Isle of Anglesey County Council.