THE cream of skills and industry will lead a business summit focused on ways to prevent talented youngsters leaving Wales to pursue career opportunities over the border.

Hosted by Antur Cymru Enterprise, up to 80 decision makers and learners are expected to attend the event, which takes place on Thursday October 20 at Canolfan yr Egin, Carmarthen.

The programme will be chaired by Mid and West Wales MS Cefin Campbell, and topics to be discussed include youth entrepreneurship, the Young Persons Guarantee, the national recruitment crisis and ‘old perceptions vs new realities’, helping young people navigate their working lives.

Among the speakers are Careers Wales Chief Executive Nikki Lawrence; Emma Benger, Senior Programme Delivery Manager for Employability and Skills at the Welsh Government; Llinos Price from Big Ideas Wales, CDI (Careers Development Institute) President and Chair, Carolyn Parry, and Scott James, founder of Coaltown Coffee Roasters in Ammanford.

Bronwen Raine, Managing Director of Antur Cymru, will also deliver a presentation as the Newcastle Emlyn-based organisation marks 45 years of support and service to entrepreneurship and training of individuals and organisations in rural areas across the country.

“We are delighted to have such incredible speakers join us for what is a very important conference at a time when Wales – like the rest of the UK – is facing unprecedented challenges in multiple sectors,” she said.

“There are opportunities out there for young people so it’s important we shine a light on them and work closely with schools, colleges, and universities to collaborate and showcase the benefits of helping boost the economy right here on their doorstep.

“As well as presentations by leading names we will have breakout sessions, a panel discussion and there will be an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and thoughts on how together we can address these issues and make a difference for generations to come.”

Professor Emeritus Andy Penaluna from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also to deliver a talk on Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, and International Perspectives.

Currently working for the Welsh National Academy for Educational Leadership to develop innovative educational leaders, he is assisting UNESCO to respond to the need for entrepreneurial Rectors and Vice Chancellors in the Caribbean and South America, having received a Lifetime Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion and been named on the Maserati 100 Entrepreneurs list.

“The summit is extremely timely as post-pandemic we have less confident learners who may struggle to reach their potential, both in entrepreneurial opportunities and in employment, especially within small firms,” said Professor Penaluna.

“In my talk I’ll be sharing perspectives from my time with the United Nations and European Commission, where I’ll be highlighting what competencies have been identified and where Wales stands in developing initiatives to help young people learn them.”

Limited spaces are available for the summit, which runs from 9am-4pm. To book your place, email elewis@anturcymru.org.uk.

For more information, visit the website: www.anturcymru.org.uk.

AN innovative new scheme delivering affordable office space and free business support to home workers and start-up companies in rural areas has been launched.

Led by Antur Cymru Enterprise, the DeskSpace initiative is being piloted at Antur Teifi Business Park in Newcastle Emlyn, providing a platform for post-pandemic recovery and a well-timed boost for the economy in north Carmarthenshire.

The long-term vision is to roll the concept out across small towns and villages in Wales, helping entrepreneurs who launched a venture during the pandemic – or those who want to move from the kitchen table or spare room to a high-quality office space – the chance to do so in a warm, welcoming environment.

Those signing-up will have access to a free parking, IT support, fast and secure internet, photocopier and scanning services, coffee and tea-making facilities, and guidance from Business Wales representatives on site.

Desks are available for as little as £10 per day and ‘Go Workstations’ are also an option.

Bronwen Raine, Managing Director of Antur Cymru, says this is a great opportunity to help grow small and start-up firms with the knowledge that experts and mentors will be on hand to provide pivotal guidance and advice should they need it.

“Importantly, this is more than just a ‘space’ for them to develop, it’s the perfect setting to test their ideas, network, collaborate and grow their business in a safe and sustainable way,” said Bronwen.

“We will be trialling it in Newcastle Emlyn and then other rural areas where the major issues are around broadband provision and slow internet speeds, travel time, fuel costs and administrative services unavailable in more hard-to-reach towns and villages.

“There are so many innovative and exciting new start-ups and entrepreneurs in this region who just need a foundation to build on, so hopefully DeskSpace can provide that and resolve some of these problems.”

A report released by Aberystwyth University last year found the Covid-19 pandemic had further exposed the divide between rural and urban areas of Wales, notably inequalities in broadband speeds, unemployment and healthcare and housing.

“Antur Cymru Enterprise is working hard to remove these barriers and provide solutions that will help to boost the rural economy and turn the green shoots of recovery into sustainable growth,” added Bronwen.

“By targeting small businesses, we can make a positive impact in our communities and hopefully give them the confidence to move forward with our support.

“DeskSpace is just one of the projects we are unveiling in 2022; the growth of industry in rural locations is paramount as we bounce back from the challenges of the Coronavirus, and we are focused on delivering further projects like this in the months and years ahead.”

For further information and to speak to the team at Antur Cymru Enterprise, call 01239 710238 or email info@anturcymru.org.uk.

Alternatively, visit the website: www.anturcymru.org.uk/flexible-space/deskspace