The island of Anglesey in Wales is losing its young people to other parts of the UK due to limited job opportunities, particularly in high-paying fields. Many young residents, like Conor Fagan, who own their own businesses on the island and have made it their home, acknowledge the lack of well-paying jobs. However, some argue that those who apply themselves can find opportunities. For example, the island has a strong hospitality industry, making it a good destination for those interested in trade and hospitality.
Many young people who live on the island feel that good jobs, particularly in areas like engineering and finance, are difficult to find. Nadine Moore, the manager of Funsport, admits that she would worry if she had to look for work because she thinks it would be challenging to find a career path she would like to pursue. Huw Brassington, a senior mechanical engineer at Tenet Consultants, noted that many talented students in the area have limited opportunities, despite their potential.
There has been a steady trend of net migration out of Anglesey for young people aged 15 to 29, and the island has the third-lowest proportion of this age group of all Welsh parliamentary constituencies. This trend of young or talented workers leaving for better pay, commonly referred to as brain drain, is not unique to the island. Wales, too, has a pattern of net migration, with 15 to 29-year-olds leaving for other parts of the UK.
Anglesey has a high employment rate, with more than 77% of the working-age population in jobs at the end of last year. While health and social care is the sector that employs the most people in Wales, followed by retail, there are more people than average working in Anglesey’s hospitality, construction, and farming industries. Additionally, Anglesey has fewer opportunities in manufacturing.
Stopping brain drain requires a long-term strategy to cultivate the engineers of the future and increase well-paying job opportunities. Various political parties have been asked to comment on this situation, with each offering their own strategy to address the issue. The Welsh Liberal Democrats and Welsh Conservatives both emphasized the need for a strong economy, while Labour focused on protecting Welsh jobs and getting people out of poverty
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