Seventy new apprenticeships in engineering and construction are to be created across North West Wales thanks to a funding boost of almost £900,000 from the Welsh Government, Business Minister Edwina Hart has announced.

The £896,000 funding is to support Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s apprentice employment agency, Cwmni Prentis Menai, which is geared to improve employment opportunities for appropriately skilled young people across the renewable energy sector.

The new apprentices – 40 in engineering and 30 in construction - will be employed by the agency, based at Coleg Menai and placed with host employers in the locality.

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They will join 23 apprentices recruited by the agency in the 2011/2012 academic year.

Mrs Hart said: "There are a number of substantial renewable energy investments underway in North Wales as well as many potential projects in the pipeline - including a possible new nuclear station at Wylfa – that offer a range of new employment opportunities.

"It is vital we have people with the right skills to take advantage of these opportunities as they arise and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's initiative offers young people a real chance to gain the necessary qualifications to go for these jobs.

"Welsh Government interventions are targeted directly at the people and places where they will have the greatest impact to create jobs and help tackle poverty. I am pleased to see this apprenticeship programme has the full backing of Gwynedd, Ynys Môn and Conwy local authorities and the private sector, including Horizon Nuclear Power."

The support package from the Department for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science builds on existing funding from the Department for Education and Skills’ existing apprenticeship programmes including Pathway to Apprenticeships and Young Recruits.

(CD)