A further £25 million will be invested by the Welsh Government into its Tech Valleys project, which will bring advanced manufacturing jobs to the Gwent Valleys. It is believed that the project will create at least 1,500 jobs over a ten years period, predominantly within new technologies and advanced manufacturing and centred around Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent.

“We recognise the opportunities presented by the changing nature of global production and technology and we welcome the engagement with Welsh Government and other partners to ensure the Tech Valleys approach delivers on these exciting developments,” said Blaenau Gwent Council leader Nigel Daniels.

“We support the announcement of the investment of £100m over ten years in Blaenau Gwent and specifically the £25m for the next three years, with the early focus on skills which will be the key to securing the long term benefits offered by the advances in technology,” he continued.

The new investment adds to the previous investments made by the Welsh Government in Tech Valleys and it will see its support for the programme exceeding £30 million by the end of 2021.

“I am delighted to hear the announcement of £25m funding over the next 3 years for the Tech Valleys project,” said Chair of Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Mark Langshaw. “This comes on the back of the publication of the TechValleys Strategic plan and demonstrates a clear commitment from Welsh Government to the economic regeneration of Blaenau Gwent. I am convinced that this will be an important enabler to attracting employers to the area and contribute towards the ambition of creating 1500 high quality sustainable jobs over the next 10 years.”

The economy secretary, Ken Skates, commented on the future of project, saying: “In line with our new Economic Action Plan, Tech Valleys will have the principles of growth, fair work and decarbonisation at its heart, while seeking to spread the fruits of economic growth to areas that have not fared so well in recent years.”

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