An innovative new scheme has been launched in Wales to increase the skills and capacity of the public sector finance function – in order to provide sustainable public services for the future.

In an unprecedented move, organisations across the public sector have joined forces to train and develop the next generation of finance professionals together. These bodies include the Wales Audit Office, NHS Wales, local government, the police, fire and rescue services, Welsh Governmnent and sponsored bodies, higher education and further education institutions – along with other welsh based publically-funded organisations, like the DVLA, Office for National Statistics and the Royal Mint.

The pan-Wales scheme provides secondments for finance trainees to other parts of the public sector. This gives them deeper insight and experience of different cultures, challenges and ways of working, to make them more well-rounded individuals and better equipped to shape the future direction of public service delivery. The scheme is also setting up regional networks for trainees and is considering a junior leadership programme too.

As part of this new initiative, around 150 public finance trainees will gather at Cardiff’s City Hall on Tuesday 1 November to learn more about the challenges they will be facing in the future and how they can best equip themselves to deal with these effectively.

Speakers include Simon Thomas AM, the Chair of the National Assembly of Wales Finance Committee; Huw Vaughan Thomas, Auditor General for Wales; Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner and Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner.

Auditor General for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas, said today:
“This scheme demonstrates a commitment to encouraging and developing the very best people to start careers in public sector finance.

By working collaboratively across the public sector, we can  develop the necessary financial skills and expertise needed to cope with the challenges ahead – and Wales is a small enough country for us to be able to do this, and do this well.”

Finance Director for Health and Social Care at Welsh Government, Alan Brace, said today:
“This project is a great example of collaboration in action as it’s being delivered by a Finance Skills Development Group, comprising committed individuals from across the entire public sector in Wales, together with some non-devolved publicly-funded organisations.

We want to attract and retain a new generation of people who want to pursue a career in public finance, to make a difference to the people of Wales both now and in the future.”

South Wales Police Chief Financial Officer, Umar Hussain, said today:
“I know how rewarding and fulfilling a career in public finance can be and I also know the challenges that finance directors in Wales face. That’s why I’m delighted to be a part of the Finance Skills Development Group, to help inspire and develop my successors.”

 You can follow these hashtags on the day, for news and convestations around the event -  #FinanceFuture16 and #DyfodolCyllid16.