Written Statement - Future of Technium Network

As part of ensuring maximum value for money across my portfolio a review of Technium performance has been conducted. There have been concerns, that while the buildings and facilities Techniums offer are a valuable asset for Wales, their performance has been mixed.

We are now in a position to outline our decision on the future of the network. The buildings, the first of which was built by the former Welsh Development Agency in 2001, provide office space and support services to new companies. The review has found that some of the facilities have not been delivering value for money or the outputs expected.

There are 10 Techniums across Wales. Four of the buildings will be retained to support business incubation and start up companies. The remaining buildings will no longer be part of the Technium network.

We are reassuring current tenants we will not abandon them. They will be fully supported through this process and we will fulfil our obligations by identifying alternative office space if required.

‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ outlined our vision of creating the best conditions to enable the private sector to grow and create jobs.  We have examined all spending in the Department of the Economy & Transport to ensure it is focused on tackling wide systemic issues within the Welsh economy. Our focus now is investing in infrastructure, research & development and improving the conditions within which businesses operate.

Changing the way we provide economic support included taking a thorough, close look at the Technium network. We will now be focussing on a small number of high-value economic sectors and the Techniums we are retaining will be part of this approach. They have been performing well and will continue to provide incubation support for new, growing companies.

The Welsh Assembly Government will be looking at the options for those not remaining in the network.

Techniums to remain in the network are:

• Digital Technium Swansea University;
• OpTIC Technium, St Asaph;
• Technium Springboard, Cwmbran;
• Technium 1 & 2 in Swansea.

Those being removed are:

• Technium Aberystwyth;
• Technium Sustainable Technologies Baglan;
• Technium CAST Bangor;
• Technium Pembroke;
• Technium Performance Engineering Llanelli
• Techniunm Digital @ Sony.