Newtown project gets half million in SPF funding

Newtown Fashion Technology Academy has been awarded £526,603 as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund (Levelling Up) grants.

The grant will be provided to the NPTC Group of Colleges to support the academy in acquiring cutting-edge technology that enables designers to work with real-time 3D simulations.

Additionally, the funding will facilitate the establishment of a fully equipped facility for garment production.

This grant is one of the fifteen projects in Powys that have received a total of £2.88 million under the People and Skills theme of the SPF.

These projects aim to assist individuals in finding employment or securing better jobs. The Powys SPF Local Partnership Board is responsible for allocating the £26 million allocated to Powys from the UK Government's Levelling Up program for the years 2022-2025.

Cllr David Selby, the Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and Chair of the Powys SPF Local Partnership Board, explained the objectives of the People and Skills theme. He said:

"Our objectives under the People and Skills theme are to boost core skills and support adults to progress in work, reduce levels of economic inactivity, support people furthest from the labour market to overcome barriers to work, and support local areas to fund gaps in local skills provision to support people to progress in work, and supplement local adult skills provision."

The other projects that have secured grants include Early Intervention Youth Support, aimed at providing assistance to young people facing challenges not addressed in schools; Digital Volunteering Pathways Powys, which focuses on enhancing digital skills in the voluntary sector; and the Development of Sustainable Land Management, which aims to create accredited training modules for farmers and land managers.

Other projects include Skills for Sustainability, Bringing Theraplay Expertise to Child Care, Increasing Access to Work through Beam and Rekindle, Routes to Work, Net Zero Business Skills Development, Growing Green Skills Capacity in Powys, AnTir Powys, AgriStart Pilot Project, Green Future Leaders, Digital Technology Learning Support Network, and Building Potential in Minds.

The People and Skills theme aims to improve the qualifications and skills of individuals in Powys, with a particular focus on adults with low or no qualifications.

The projects supported by the grants are expected to provide intensive life and employment support, tailored assistance, access to basic skills, and innovative provision to help individuals overcome barriers to work and progress in their careers.