The Flexible Skills Programme Wales

[edit] What is the Flexible Skills Programme?

The Flexible Skills Programme (FSP) is a Welsh Government funded initiative that supports businesses across Wales to invest in themselves and build a stronger, more skilled workforce, with employers able to apply for funding to cover 50% of accredited training costs. FSP helps companies invest in the future of their team with up to £50,000 per application and no minimum funding limit.

[edit] Who can and how to apply?

Funding is available to employers based in Wales, operating in the vast majority of industries across the country that are solvent and committed to releasing staff to undertake training by the end of March 2026. There is no requirement to use a particular training company so long as they are a certified training provider and any supported training in the programme is accredited or to a recognised industry standard. Funding is discretionary and the final decision on eligibility rests with the Welsh Government. Businesses can submit an initial Expression of Interest form on the Business Wales website, with the option of assistance from a Relationship Manager and member of the skills team will respond as soon as possible and no later than 10 working days.

[edit] Priority sectors

The Flexible Skills Programme is structured around 8 priority sectors/business themes:

• Net Zero Skills
• Forestry and Timber Supply Chain Skills *
• Digital Skills
• Exporting Skills
• Engineering and Manufacturing Training *
• Creative Sector Skills and Training *
• Tourism and Hospitality Skills *
• Leadership and Management Skills

We would expect applicant businesses wishing to apply under these strands to operate in the respective sectors. Companies are able to apply for support from across the different sectors/business themes as part of a single application.

[edit] Electrotechnical Contracting

ECA (Electrotechnical Contractors’ Association) was mentioned in the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) during the announcement of a new Flexible Skills Programme (FSP) being introduced in Wales. Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership gave a statement on the new programme that will support Welsh businesses in upskilling their workforce.

Luke Fletcher MS, Senedd Regional Member for South Wales West, added:

“One criticism I heard again at the Electrical Contractors' Association conference just a few days ago in Cardiff was that there's still a prevailing feeling amongst businesses and FE [further education] providers that they're not all in the room at the same time discussing how we can resolve some of those challenges that we are facing within the skills system here in Wales.”

Jack Sargeant MS highlighted the programme will entail over 10,500 training interventions and 164 approved applications this financial year, benefiting more than 150 businesses across Wales, with significant investment in north-east Wales.

In England and Wales, 12,000 newly qualified electricians are needed by 2030 to meet carbon neutral targets.

ECA and NICEIC held webinars in November about funding available through the FSP for ECA Members, to access 50 percent funded training in key low-carbon technologies including EV charging, solar PV, and battery storage. A recording of the webinars is available on ECA’s website. The funding is open to any business with a base in Wales, not just the HQ.

This article is based on the Guidance Flexible Skills Programme (FSP) and the article ECA mentioned in Senedd announcement on new Welsh skills funding dated November 2025.

--ECA

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