How North Wales Businesses are Upskilling with Flexible Support
The Flexible Skills Programme is available to eligible businesses across North Wales that are ready to invest in their workforce. Whether your goal is to fill skills gaps, retain valuable staff, or attract new talent, this funding can help you build a stronger, more resilient team.
Through the programme, employers can apply for funding to cover up to 50% of accredited training costs, with a maximum contribution of £50,000 per application. There’s no minimum funding threshold, and businesses are welcome to submit multiple applications throughout the year.
Across North Wales, employers from a wide range of sectors are already making the most of this opportunity. Hear directly from them about how the Flexible Skills Programme has supported their growth, helped upskill their teams, and added real value to their organisations.
Global Growth at Cokebusters Ltd
Cokebusters Ltd, located in Hawarden, North Wales, is a global leader in specialist cleaning and inspection technology for tubes and pipelines in the energy sector. With over 100 employees and operations in the UK and the Americas, they’ve used FSP to invest over £40,000 in training across IT, compliance, safety, management, and technical fault-finding.
Janet Sandford, HR Manager at Cokebusters Ltd., said:
“The support has accelerated our development programmes and helped retain talent in Wales while supporting our global export goals.”
Their bespoke training partnership with Coleg Cambria is helping teams solve problems faster on-site – keeping projects moving and clients satisfied.
Operational Resilience at Ecological Land Management Ltd
Ecological Land Management Ltd used the programme to fund a wide range of landscape-based training including Lantra, NPORS, and City & Guilds-endorsed courses. The programme helped them fill a gap left by the end of EU-funded training support.
Lois Fuller, Office Manager, said the programme has also enabled them to expand their capabilities and tender for more work. She praised its flexibility, noting that:
Every course we’ve requested has been accepted – even those not listed. The system is straightforward, and reimbursements are prompt.
Encouraging other employers in North Wales to take advantage of the support while it’s still available — Lois recommends being organised with your records to make the most of the opportunity.
Digital Leadership at M-SParc
Pryderi Ap Rhisiart, Managing Director at M-SParc, used the programme to study Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation with MIT, recognising the strategic importance of AI for the region’s economy.
“We’re now implementing our own AI systems and better positioned to support other businesses in adopting digital solutions,” he said.
“The programme was incredibly easy to access, with a responsive team and swift approvals – FSP offers so much with minimal hassle”
Aviation Innovation at Aircamo
Aircamo, a specialist aviation maintenance provider, has used the Flexible Skills Programme to unlock significant training investment.
“We’ve invested around £80,000 in training and were able to claim back £36,000 through the Flexible Skills Programme – That level of support has been a game changer for us”, said Gary Woods, Head of Maintenance.
The funding has given us confidence to recruit and grow, knowing we can plug skills gaps quickly.
“The flexibility of the programme meant we could choose our preferred training providers – essential in aviation, where courses are highly specialised. It’s helped us get the right training, at the right time.”
“We’ve enhanced our apprenticeship programme, upskilled our team, and stayed ahead of technological advancements.”
Expanding on the funding, Gary commended the simple process, noting the Welsh Government team were “responsive and supportive throughout, making a real difference to how we plan and deliver training.”
Operational Excellence at Kronospan
Kronospan has used the Flexible Skills Programme to deliver high-impact training across its operations – from technical upskilling in hydraulics and pneumatics to leadership development through Toyota’s lean manufacturing principles. The funding has accelerated their LEAN transformation and made quality training more accessible during a challenging economic climate.
Reflecting on accessing the support, James Robertson, HR Resourcing Manager, Kronospan, notes:
The Flexible Skills Programme has allowed us to offer substantive training at reduced cost – a real advantage in the current climate.
“It’s supported our LEAN journey on site, with Toyota’s training helping us embed Japanese techniques across departments. For any employer looking to upskill and improve operations, the Flexible Skills Programme is a practical and accessible way to deliver meaningful training and drive operational change.”
Flexible Skills Programme
- Cross-sector relevance – from digital and net zero skills to leadership and sector-specific expertise
- Custom training options – businesses can propose bespoke courses beyond the listed options.
- Up to 50% reimbursement – funding is returned promptly once evidence is submitted.
- Supports regional priorities – including net zero, and digital transformation.
