Backing Our Young People With Real Skills, Not Empty Promises

For too long, the political establishment in Cardiff Bay has pushed a one-size-fits-all academic agenda that leaves vocational training as an afterthought. Young people across Carmarthenshire deserve real, practical career pathways that lead to well-paying jobs in sectors like engineering, manufacturing, and construction.

Academic routes are simply not the right fit for every school leaver, and pretending otherwise does a profound disservice to our next generation.

Reform UK is changing the conversation by backing our proposals to cover 30% of apprentice wages for 16 to 18-year-olds, unlocking up to 600,000 new apprenticeships nationwide. Locally, we have been discussing these vital ambitions with education leaders, such as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), to forge clear vocational pathways in vital fields like agriculture and engineering.

These schemes allow young people to earn while they learn, gaining hands-on experience and qualifications right here in our county. By strengthening the links between local training providers and businesses, we can ensure valuable skills are passed down from older generations while directly addressing acute industry shortages. It is time to cut the red tape, redirect funding to the frontline, and give our young people the tools they need to build rewarding, long-term careers without leaving Sir Gaerfyrddin.