By Caroline O’Donnell, Grants Programme Manager at Ufi VocTech Trust
Ufi VocTech Trust, in partnership with Adult Learning Wales, Newport City Council and Learning and Work Institute, have launched an innovative place-based collaboration to integrate education and skills development opportunities within the communities of East Newport.
Why Newport?
Newport is growing fast. Its rising population, growing cultural scene, and great transport links are attracting new residents and businesses to the area. Yet behind this progress, challenges remain. While general economic activity is strong, the 2021 census revealed an employment rate which lags at 72.7% compared with 76.8% nationally.
Education and skills attainment are also below national levels. Over 10% of adults in Newport hold no qualifications, and engagement with further learning remains limited. Local stakeholders point to a range of barriers – from low skills and confidence to issues of accessibility and motivation. Newport’s proximity to Cardiff further complicates matters, with opportunities often bypassing the city in favour of the Welsh capital.
Generations of Newport families risk being excluded from regeneration unless education and skills are placed at the centre. Evidence shows that skills not only open doors to work but also strengthen health, resilience, self-esteem, and confidence. These qualities in turn create a foundation for continued learning and social mobility.
Meeting local needs
The Place within a Place project focuses on the Ringland Estate in East Newport – one of the city’s most deprived communities. People living on the estate experience high unemployment, elevated levels of crime, and have limited formal qualifications. Yet the area also stands on the threshold of significant regeneration, with £24 million being invested, spearheaded by Newport City Homes.
Part of this investment includes a new health and wellbeing centre and community hub on the estate. Establishing links with these new developments will enable the team to leverage local support and increase participation in proposed offerings.
By helping learners overcome barriers to participation in learning, and by raising awareness of training and employment opportunities, there is real potential to improve skills, confidence and outcomes locally. These ambitions align closely with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which aims to enhance the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of the nation.
Building partnerships
Collaboration sits at the core of the project. Local stakeholders are working together to strengthen referral pathways, identify gaps in provision, and create clear routes into education, training, and employment. Mapping services and sharing knowledge will be essential to understanding where VocTech solutions can make the most difference.
By pooling expertise and resources partners will ensure that the programme responds to local needs. With coordinated action, barriers can be removed and pathways made easier to navigate.
Connecting learning to employment
A skilled, confident workforce benefits both employers and individuals. To ensure alignment, the team will engage with local businesses to understand their workforce needs, while also consulting with potential learners to explore their aspirations. This dual perspective will help shape opportunities that are relevant, realistic, and sustainable.
Good practice already exists within Newport’s voluntary sector, providing valuable pathways into employment. Furthermore, investment in South Wales’ growing technology sector presents opportunities to boost digital skills among local residents. By pooling resources and building on what already works, the project can maximise its impact.
Involving rather than imposing
The exploratory phase of the programme has involved close dialogue with local partners. Their insights have highlighted lessons from past initiatives, showing what has succeeded and what has not. A common theme which has been observed is hesitation among residents to engage with digital tools, stemming from a variety of concerns. Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of developing an engaging and interactive learning experience. Many learners appear uncertain about their future direction and show levels of engagement, so any proposed tool must be designed with this in mind to encourage uptake.
Surveys and discussions are also identifying which devices residents own and how they use them. This ensures that any VocTech approach is not only technically compatible but also delivers content in ways that resonate with daily life. By building on local knowledge and connections, the project aims to create something sustainable and trusted.
Creating a blueprint for success
Through surveys and interviews, the project will identify two priority industries to focus on during the research phase. By analysing the qualification and skill requirements of these sectors, and comparing them against local provision, the project will pinpoint gaps and opportunities.
Community outreach will be critical – engaging directly with individuals who stand to benefit most, listening to their aspirations, and co-designing solutions that work for them. The outcome will be a clear, evidence-based framework of recommendations.
This blueprint has the potential not only to shape change in Newport but also to serve as a model for similar initiatives across Wales and beyond. Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales, with its national reach and established partnerships, is well positioned to share successful models and digital platforms across the country. When a tried and tested solution has reached the end of the pilot phase, Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales and Newport City Council plan to engage with stakeholders at all levels and present findings which will hopefully support a national programme rollout.
