Written question WQ100162
- Asked by
- Mike HedgesLabour
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that SMEs are involved in shaping the AI and digital skills provision they need to grow?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy (Adam Price)
The Welsh Government is ensuring SMEs help shape AI and digital skills provision through Business Wales, direct employer engagement, Regional Skills Partnerships and social partner networks. Business Wales supports businesses to strengthen digital capability and is developing activity to increase AI awareness among SMEs.
An AI skills pilot for SMEs, delivered through the Flexible Skills Programme, is also helping businesses adopt AI and providing evidence to inform future policy and provision. The pilot was developed with employers and industry partners, including the Federation of Small Businesses, and has been extended to the end of the current financial year.
The Future Skills Summit on 8 October 2026 will bring together partners from education, business, representative bodies and key sectors to help shape a shared vision and future strategy for Wales’ skills system and its funding. It will support practical outcomes, help address future workforce needs and strengthen education-to-employment pathways.