New cash for 'foundation degrees'

The scheme has been designed to meet the needs of industry

A £16.5m project to help more than 1,300 people raise their skill levels for work has been announced by Education Minister Jane Hutt.

It offers a range of foundation degrees - qualifications and may lead on to full degree courses.

The cash will enable people in west Wales and the valleys to undertake studies in further education colleges.

Led by the University of Glamorgan, it will also help part-time learners with jobs to access new qualifications.

It is crucial that we provide people across Wales with the opportunity to increase their skill levels during these challenging economic times Jane Hutt, Education Minister

Martyn Jeffries, from the University of Glamorgan, said the project had been designed to meet the needs of emerging and growing industries in the Welsh economy.

"We are hoping to get the other higher education sector programmes up and running in the coming months, in order to make a real impact during this difficult economic time," he said.

Education Minister Jane Hutt said the funding would make a difference to learners and encourage partnership working between employers and higher education institutions.

"It is crucial that we provide people across Wales with the opportunity to increase their skill levels during these challenging economic times," she said.