The M-SParc Skills Academy has been set up to bridge the skills gap in north Wales, particularly in digital, science, technology and creative fields.
Funded by UK and Welsh Government, the Academy offers a fully funded placement in industry to support graduates, people changing careers or those who lack experience on paper.
Everyone’s career path is different, and the Academy is designed to offer opportunities that afford people a fair chance into industry whilst supporting SME’s to recruit skilled people without the initial financial risk. Many of the SME’s who take on a Skills Academy member are recruiting their very first member of staff; and by having M-SParc supporting them initially, they are significantly more likely to recruit at the end of the period.
Established in 2021, the programme was piloted by CRF funding through UK Gov. Sind then, over £1million has been invested in supporting over 90 individuals into employment with over 80 companies through further funding from UK Government and Welsh Goverment.
If you are a business in Gwynedd or Anglesey able to offer a 6 month placement, fill in our form here so we can recruit the right profile of candidate for you.
To make an application for the Skills Academy, fill in the form below. Whatever your skill set or expertise, we will endeavour to match you with a suitable employer. Please make your application as detailed as possible. There will be 12 opportunities in total, and specific roles will be advertised on this website when we have more information available.
We also have a specific Business Support role, made possible through kind donations in memory of Kieran Thomas Hughes. One of our first Academy members, Kieran set the bar high. Kieran had a can-do attitude, and an enthusiasm that was visible to all who spoke with him. He was our star boy, and we hope our Skills Academy members can use him as an example of how to make the most of this opportunity, and bring a lasting legacy.
In 2021, Rhodri became our first Skills Academy member. Having grown up in Gaerwen, Rhodri was placed as a Cyber Security Degree Apprentice with us at M-SParc, working closely with several tenant companies over his 3 year degree.
He graduated in 2024, securing employment with Vigo IT Solutions, and now works for tenant company Eryri Consulting as an ISO Consultant (Cyber Security).
Through the Community Regeneration Funding through UK Gov, Alexandra was part of our first pilot cohort for the Academy. A Bangor University Creative Technologies graduate with a first class degree, Alexandra was working as a supermarket store assistant when she applied for the Academy.
Having impressed in her application, Alexandra was paired with M-SParc tenant company ExaDev for her initial 6 month placement. During those six months, Alexandra was able to upskill within the sector, gel with the team, learn valuable workplace skills and show her value to the company. As of 2026, Alexandra has been a Frontend Engineer at ExaDev for 4 years and the company has taken on 4 more members of staff as they continue to grow.
Owain was on our Creative-Digital Skills Academy, funded by Creative Wales, and at 17 years old was the youngest Academy Member we’ve had to date! Placed with Eryri Consulting, Owain started on the Digital Marketing side of the industry, gaining skills in Web Development, and understanding SEO.
Following his placement, Owain decided he wanted to earn a degree, and following an interview process he is now a Software Engineer Degree apprentice with Capventis. He’s now in his final year, and will graduate with no debt, and with a wealth of industry experience and a career path waiting for him.
Sophie Eleri joined the ARFOR funded Skills Academy, where as well as gaining industry experience, she was able to access Welsh lessons to improve her confidence. Once again, the intention was to help her grow her experience, and her regional connections as she relocated back home to Wales after starting her career journey in New Zealand!
Her experience was in Events Management, and her placement was with Frân Wen assisting them in a large scale theatre production. After her period on the Academy, Sophie went on to be a Creative Co-ordinator with Frân Wen, and is working in the Welsh language on a daily basis!
tom@m-sparc.com
Tom used to work at the KFC in his hometown of Colwyn Bay before it mysteriously burned down. He then spent several years “on the lam” in East Germany, where he worked as an animator in Berlin. When the wall fell, Tom came home.
He enjoys climbing and hates ice-skating.
