Semta
Support for sector companies in Wales
We have staff and offices in Wales to support employers and work with stakeholders.
We can help you improve your business performance and competitiveness through:
- Access to funding, quality training providers and tools that give a return on investment
- Recruitment and training of apprentices and graduates
- Developing your supply chain capability
- Producing training plans and finding training programmes that get results
To book a free consultation on how you can develop skills that match your business objectives email Customer Services.
Initiatives in Wales
New apprenticeship frameworks
Semta has revised apprenticeship frameworks at level 3 and also launched two new higher engineering apprenticeships at level 4 and level 6. These frameworks have been developed by Semta in line with new Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW). This specification sets out the minimum requirements to be met by Apprenticeship frameworks recognised in Wales. For frameworks at a glance click here, then search on Semta and Wales.
Employers needed to pilot innovative new Higher Apprenticeship for Advanced Manufacturing
New qualification launched to help close the skills gap in Wales
Employers in Wales have the opportunity to participate in a pilot apprenticeship programme to help close the skills gap in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The new Higher Apprenticeship framework for Advanced Manufacturing at Level 4 has been designed to provide the manufacturing and engineering sector in Wales with high grade technicians and engineers who have practical skills, combined with a higher education qualification.
The programme will facilitate progression to Level 5/6 qualifications and enable apprentices to work towards Incorporated Engineer status so it’s a terrific opportunity for employees to develop higher level skills and increase their educational attainment.
Employers in the following businesses are being encouraged to take part:
- Aerospace
- Mechanical
- Electrical/ Electronics
- Maintenance
- Automotive
- Other areas such as renewable energy design and manufacture
The Semta project is supported by the Welsh Government’s Sector Priorities Fund (SPFP) programme that also receives additional support from the European Social Fund (ESF). It means Semta can help develop 70 high grade technicians and engineers from around 50 companies with new skills through the Higher Apprenticeship framework for Advanced Manufacturing.
We want to hear from employers interested in participating in the pilot: click here to contact customer services or call 0845 643 9001.
If you have someone in your organisation who needs higher level skills or is ready for promotion or want to recruit an apprentice, then this is your opportunity to use the very latest apprenticeship framework, designed by employers for employers.
The new apprenticeship framework has been developed because there are around 400 vacancies per year, with employers reporting a quarter of these being hard to fill as applicants did not have the required technical and practical skills.
In addition, the workforce is ageing and 3,400 higher-level technical workers are required by 2016 just to replace those retiring.
The competence and knowledge qualifications in this framework contribute to general competence as measured in the Engineering Councils UK specification and endorsed by IMechE, IET, and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
Timescale for delivery: The project will be running for the period 01 October 2012 to 30 November 2014.
Credit and Qualification Framework for Wales
Semta is now licensed to assign credit under the CQFW. This enables employers to gain national recognition for bespoke company learning programmes and ensures that training is transferable and progressive.
Electronics graduates initiative
As a founder member of the UK Electronic Skills Foundation, we are working with UKESF and ESTNET (formerly the Welsh Electronics Forum) to attract, prepare and retain talented people to maintain the country’s global leadership position in electronics. Employers have the opportunity to provide bursaries, practical experience and mentoring to high-calibre students.
High Performance Company Project
Semta has received support from the Welsh Government under its Sector Leadership Fund for an initiative to help companies raise their performance. The project will establish a group of management and leadership specialists that will be able to lead and support senior managers to use the characteristics of high performance companies as the basis for strategic workforce planning.
Project Objectives
- To provide five training workshops on high performance company criteria that will enable management and leadership specialists to train and mentor companies implementing the drivers of high performance companies.
- To enable the providers to shadow Semta while working with manufacturing companies in the development of company-specific strategic workforce plans.
This project is part funded by the European Social Fund.
Pathways to Apprenticeship
With Welsh Government funding, we’ve developed a pre-apprenticeship programme to increase the pool of suitable apprenticeship candidates available to employers. The programme includes full-time initial training and industry-based experience leading to NVQ Level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations, six Key Skills at Level 2 and the Welsh Intermediate Baccalaureate. Employers have the opportunity to provide structured placements. Those completing the programme will be ready to move on to employed-status apprenticeships.