Vocational education awarding body City & Guilds has launched a skills manifesto that calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to expand its investment in skills and employment policies. A Manifesto for Skills in Wales builds on the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales, focusing on improving leadership and management skills, preparing graduates for work, increasing apprenticeships and professionalising the workforce. Lesley Griffiths, deputy minister for skills, innovation and science, launched the manifesto at the Senedd; the Welsh Assembly Government will now consider it.

Housing organisation Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, which is taking over the ownership and management of Gwynedd Council’s homes later this year, has begun to advertise for new staff. The council’s repairs and housing staff will transfer to the new organisation. Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd will deliver a £136m improvement programme in its first five years; it will be regulated by the Welsh Assembly Government and run by a voluntary management board.

Health minister Edwina Hart has approved plans to update NHS computer systems that will allow healthcare staff to view all patient information in one place, reducing “the chance of inappropriate treatment or error”. The Welsh Clinical Portal is backed by £2.5m from the Welsh Assembly Government as part of the Informing Healthcare programme, which has also recently approved patients’ website My Health Online. Hart said: “As each stage of the design and development is completed, it will be rolled out across Wales, so any lessons can be learned and acted on, and the benefits seen quickly.”

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