Work is progressing at pace on a new £4.2m state of the art veterinary hub to drive forward research to protect both animal and human health.

For Wales to prosper, our businesses need to prosper

When our businesses thrive, they create a higher number of better quality jobs. The taxes they pay strengthen our public finances. The people they employ strengthen our communities. When Welsh businesses are strong, Wales is strong.

The Business Department has launched a series of new, on demand videos to help businesses familiarise themselves with the new rules and the actions they should take. Businesses can find out more about 18 topics, including importing and exporting, trade, data, and audit and accounting.

As you know, the EU transition period has now ended and the UK has left the EU customs union and single market. Following negotiations and the signing of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on 24 December 2020, the UK now has a different trading relationship with the EU

Your business has to make a number of changes to ensure continued flow of people, data, goods and services between the UK and the EU. Businesses should take action as the UK is no longer in the single market or the customs union

This document provides you with information about important actions for 10 sectors of the economy: ▪ Aerospace ▪ Electronics and Machinery ▪ Automotive ▪ Life Sciences ▪ Chemicals ▪ Metals and Materials ▪ Construction ▪ Professional and Business Services ▪ Consumer Goods ▪ Retail

The Department for International Trade has unveiled a new online tool on GOV.UK which is a go-to source of information for UK exporters. The tool provides product-specific and country-specific information in one place, which helps to save businesses time and makes it easier for them to understand the changes that came into effect on 1 January 2021.

As part of the Welsh Government’s £40 million skills and jobs fund, we are introducing financial

incentives to encourage the creation of up to 6,000 apprenticeships. Any employer in Wales,

regardless of size or sector, can benefit from the four new apprenticeship incentives, which will run

from 1 August 2020 to 28 February 2021.

Manufacturing businesses across Wales can remain at the forefront of innovation, thanks to £4 million of EU funding announced by the Welsh Government.

The extra support will build on the success of Wales’ top higher education Institutions industry-led research partnership by extending the ASTUTE 2020 (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) operation.

On 8th December we hosted an online seminar with Aberystwyth University to learn more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

NPTC Group of Colleges, in partnership with Wrexham Glyndŵr University, has been successful in securing funding for FULLY FUNDED new Degree Apprenticeships for Wales from January 2021

Applications are invited to deliver rapid feasibility study research and development (R&D) projects, with funding available up to £50,000, including VAT. With an envelope of £250k, we expect to fund up to 5 projects in total (or more if budget permits) and the successful projects must commence delivery in January 2021 and complete by end of March 2021.

The Welsh Government’s EU funded SMART Cymru programme is offering eligible businesses the chance to apply for a new SMART Cymru Decarbonisation grant. It offers eligible businesses a non-repayable grant of up to £50,000 to contribute towards exploring the feasibility of decarbonisation ideas.

Application required for firebreak lockdown Non Domestic Business Rates Grant.

With increasing Covid cases in the region we have been discussing cleaning and recovery options with Adapt, a commercial cleaning company based in South Wales employing over 350 people. They have a range of clients spreading through Powys and up to Mid / West and North Wales and across the M4 corridor.

Leading supplier of innovative flexible packaging solutions, Wipak UK1, has unveiled plans for a major, multi-million pound strategic investment to significantly enhance its capabilities and sustainable product offering.

This is being developed as a significant innovation asset for Wales. The aim is for the Wales DNA to be an open forum with other research and learning institutions being involved in is constituent projects. It aims to support and facilitate co-creation of data driven innovation with industry, and crucially its application within key industries in Wales, as well as developing a strong, dynamic talent pool

Do you have vacancies within your company to employ an apprentice and would like to advertise the positions? Or are you looking for a company to become an apprentice?

Consultation workshops if you wish to hear more information about the Framework and how you can contribute. Also, have your say on the Consultation website.