New IPM: Working Together
Join “New IPM: Working Together” on September 8, 2025! Swansea University proudly hosts the esteemed New IPM Symposium for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting advancements in integrated pest management. This event, organised by the Natural Products BioHUB and IBMA, unites researchers, technologists, and growers to collaborate on innovative pest control strategies that ensure sustainable food production and safeguard health. Find out more and register
It’s Your Neath Port Talbot 2024
The It’s Your Neath Port Talbot event, hosted by 4theRegion, was an uplifting and energising gathering of people who care deeply about the future of Neath Port Talbot. Bringing together around 250 people, this event showcased the power of collaboration and shared ambition. It’s Your Neath Port Talbot returns on 24th September 2025, and we are keen to hear from businesses, organisations and local residents who want to be involved! After all – it’s YOUR county!
Swansea is evolving – led not just by big investments, but by a shared commitment to creating a vibrant, thriving city for the benefit of all
The energy around the city centre is unmistakable, and it’s brilliant to see positive momentum taking hold across retail, leisure and the wider local economy. With ongoing investment, more welcoming public spaces, and a renewed energy around the high street, Swansea is showing what’s possible when people, places and purpose come together. We’re proud to play our part in championing the city’s bright and inclusive future. Read more
Food resilience and the wellbeing of people and planet is a passion of ours and our supporters at 4theRegion
Hosting the NPT Food Partnership enables us work towards achieving these goals. Here’s a look into some of what the food partnership is supporting including community gardens such as the thriving Glantawe Riverside Park in Pontardawe, helping people connect with nature and each other while promoting sustainability. Whether it’s transforming an unused space, growing your own food, or simply meeting new people, we’d love to hear your stories! Find out more
Who loves solar energy?
Find out how April 2nd was a record day for our members Cwtsh Hostel.
Another amazing 4theRegion Start-Up Expo and It’s Your Swansea Conference & Exhibition!
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us last month at Swansea Building Society Arena to celebrate all the amazing opportunities our city has to offer! Relive the 4theRegion Start-Up Expo and It’s Your Swansea Conference and spot yourself in our event highlights – check out the full gallery of images captured by Diyan Kantardziev Innovation Photography.
Careers at NPTC Group of Colleges
Would you like a rewarding career and to feel part of a family? Well, you can have all that and more at NPTC Group of Colleges. Here’s a list of their current vacancies. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to change your future – Apply Now!
Navigating a merger or acquisition – what do you need to do, and how do you do it?
Have you spent years building up a business and are now looking to take it in another direction? Have you’ve spotted something in another business whose work or products complement yours and bringing them on board would represent a big step forward for you? Are you an experienced senior leader, and the chance has arisen for you to directly or partly own the business for you work for? What ever the scenario, find out more in this blog from the Development Bank of Wales
Careers at Day’s
Whether you are looking to start your career or have a wealth of experience and knowledge in your chosen profession, Day’s Motor Group have a range of full time and part time job opportunities in the car industry to suit most people. Read more
Gavin Griffiths Group on the lookout for Drivers to join their growing team!
Night shifts, Day shifts, 4 on 4 off, Weekend shifts, Holiday cover. Get in touch if you’re looking for PAYE flexible, part time work and join the best team on the road! Contact enquiries@griffiths-group.co.uk
Be part of a successful organisation
Pembrokeshire College is a well established further education college, employing over 500+ highly qualified and dedicated staff. They pride themselves on delivering first class education and training to over 13,000 learners at a vibrant campus in a beautiful county. Their diverse job opportunities offer flexibility in developing a career in areas ranging from teaching, coaching and management through to human resources, finance and IT. Read more
Job Vacancies available at RDM
From apprentices looking to begin a career in building services to fully qualified mechanical and electrical engineers, all RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services’ employees share their values and strive to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. They have the potential to work on a wide range of projects, from Grade II listed refurbishments to multi-million-pound design and builds and work in specialist environments in the defence industry. Read more
Pobl Group Announces Major Expansion of In-House Trades Team to Enhance Repairs and Maintenance Service
Pobl Group have launched a recruitment drive to expand their in-house trades team, creating 34 new posts – an increase of more than 50% in the dedicated responsive repairs team. This will provide a more efficient service and better value for money for customers. If you’re interested in exploring career opportunities with Pobl, visit their careers page to apply for roles directly or register for job alerts to be notified when they become available in your local area.
2 Day Business Start Up Bootcamp
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Business Support team are running a 2 day Business Start Up Bootcamp to offer business support to individuals looking to start a business or current businesses. The Bootcamp will take place on June 3rd and 10th 9am – 3pm at the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock. Places are limited and booking is essential. To find out more please contact Alex on alex.Evans@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or 07584642534
Accelerate your career at the DVLA
At the DVLA we are dedicated to keeping the UK roads safe. With a team of over 6,000 talented professionals, we offer diverse career paths across various fields which include Human Resources, Estate management, Digital and Technology Services, Finance, Operations, Communications, Customer service, Commercial, and Policy. We are an award-winning agency and take pride in our work and people. We believe our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We recognise and reward excellent performance, celebrating the outstanding work the agency contributes to the country. Our Comprehensive employee benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing and career, empowering you to be the best version of yourself. Jumpstart your career today and explore your opportunities on gov.uk, Civil Service Careers and the DfT website. Search for current vacancies at the DVLA here.
Degree Apprenticeship – BSc Hons Applied Software Engineering
An exciting and innovative way to gain a degree in software engineering, while in employment. The course combines traditional academic learning with work-based learning, making it easy to apply new knowledge and skills into the work place environment. This 3-year course, at Swansea University, covers a broad spectrum of content including programming, software development, algorithms, databases, mobile and web app development, and computer security. Read more
Vacancies at Bevan Buckland
Bevan Buckland are passionate about recruiting the best and providing a fantastic working environment. They are always looking for talented and ambitious people to join their ever-expanding firm. See their current opportunities here
Job Opportunities and Working at Swansea University
Looking for a new job? Changing role? Interested in what Swansea University can offer you? A warm and welcoming University, they value people for their skills regardless of their background and are proudly named as a top employer in the annual Stonewall Equality Index. They know that people have commitments outside their job, so they provide a working environment that allows employees to achieve the right work/life balance. Read more
Are you looking for work?
Start with Acorn by Synergie. They’re committed to connecting jobseekers with rewarding opportunities across various industries. Let’s make today the start of something new!
Careers at the Development Bank of Wales
From working in their investment and portfolio teams, through to finance and marketing, the Development Bank of Wales has a range of exciting roles available. At the heart of their success are their people. Like the businesses they work with, they see their employees as long term investments. They always look to empower their staff to be decision makers and consistently encourage personal and professional development. Read more
Current Vacancies at Gower College Swansea
Your future starts here. Do you want to make a difference? Gower College Swansea’s mission is to inspire and support their learners to achieve their full potential through the delivery of the highest quality of education and training. By joining them at the College, you’ll become part of a team of highly committed and talented staff providing outstanding learning and training opportunities for young people, adults, and employers across South West Wales. Read more
Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Domiciliary Care and Support Services
Pembrokeshire County Council invite you to submit a bid to join a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of domiciliary care and support services. The Hywel Dda University Health Board may call off goods and services in quantities and at such frequency as it determines appropriate and as such, the approximate Hywel Dda University Health Board contract value has been included within this notice. Read more
Dyfed Pension Fund Independent Investment Adviser
Carmarthenshire County Council, as the administering authority for the Dyfed Pension Fund, is seeking to renew the contract of the Independent Investment Adviser. This is a key role in the governance arrangements of the Dyfed Pension Fund in supporting the Pension Committee, Pension Board and officers with specialist advice to help the Fund achieve its goals. Read more
The Servicing and Reporting of Solid Fuel Heating Appliances within the Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Stock
You are invited to submit a tender for the servicing and reporting of solid fuel heating appliances within the Pembrokeshire County Council housing stock. A list of domestic properties covered by this contract is supplied within the attachments area of etenderwales. The contract will be for a 3 year period with an option to extend for a further period of up to 12 months, subject to available budget, satisfactory performance and agreement by both parties. Read more
Dynamic Purchasing System for the Supply of Arboricultural Works on Trees Affected by Ash Dieback and Other Health Related Issues – ON-GOING APPLICATIONS
This contract notice from Carmarthenshire County Council is to inform the market that the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the supply of services relating to ash dieback and other tree felling works has been extended for one year, until 8th November 2025, in accordance with the DPS agreement and original tender documentation. Read more
SWTRA Asbestos Consultancy Services Framework 2025
This is a Prior Information Notice from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. These services are to be provided under the framework
External Landlord Intervention 2025
Carmarthenshire County Council is seeking an experienced consultant to help deliver the ‘External Landlord Intervention’ project which aims to address the high vacant property rates across all three primary towns in Carmarthenshire (Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli). The consultant is expected to work with agents, landlords and potential end tenant businesses, to unlock vacant units and explore innovative solutions to bring them back into use. Read more
Contract for replacement of existing tiled roofs to 20 flats at Beili Glas, Loughor
This is a contract notice from Swansea Council. The project includes remedial works to some gable end walls (take down and rebuild), renewal of eternal doors, windows, fascias, soffits and rainwater goods, also removal of chimneys and renewal of roof coverings. Read more
Dynamic Purchasing System for Drainage Investigations and CCTV Surveys – ON-GOING APPLICATION
This contract notice is to inform the market that the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of drainage investigations and CCTV surveys has been extended for one year until 30th November 2025 by Carmarthenshire County Council, in accordance with the DPS agreement and original tender documentation. Read more
Tree Survey
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to undertake the inspection of trees adjacent to the council’s highway network.This includes the identification of dead, dying and dangerous trees throughout the County Borough that pose a risk to public safety. Read more
Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Supported Living Services
Pembrokeshire County Council, on behalf of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, is issuing a tender for a Dynamic Purchasing System for supported living services comprising of both community and household care and support. The approximate Hywel Dda University Health Board contract value and approximate housing related support grant contract value has been included within this notice. The value provided is per annum. Read more
£780,000 to create a new arts hub in Swansea city centre
The former JT Morgan department store has been vacant for over 15 years and this renovation will transform it into a multi-purpose arts centre. Elysium Art Limited, supporters of 4theRegion, is delivering the project to support and promote the arts in Swansea and beyond. The first and second floors will provide lettable studio space for artists, with a gallery, meeting spaces and a café on the ground floor. The basement will have additional studio space, storage and potentially a cinema. Read more
Almost 100 new homes are being built in one of the best places to live in Wales
Planners have given the green light for a new estate of 91 houses to be built in Narberth, over 40% of them being affordable homes. Asbri Planning Ltd says “The design led approach will create a high-quality place, that sensitively sits within the site retained wildlife corridors and positively connects to the community of Narberth.” Narberth was previously highlighted as the best place to live in Wales, and “a town centre that punches far above its weight”. Read more
Three Welsh firms awarded contracts to help deliver new £1.25bn electric arc furnace at Port Talbot
The contracts will sustain more than 300 jobs. Critical infrastructure will be completed by 4theRegion supporters Andrew Scott. David Evan Williams, civil contracts director, said: “Having worked major on civil and construction projects at Port Talbot since the late 1800s, our involvement in this transformation is not only a privilege, but fundamental to maintaining our strong presence and heritage at the site. We have committed to supporting local talent.” Read more
Plans unveiled for new transport hub in Llanelli
Plans are in place to transform a piece of land next to a busy Welsh railway station into a transport hub which will contain bus, walking, cycling, and electric vehicle and parking facilities. The scheme has been developed in conjunction with Network Rail and Transport for Wales as the council seeks to promote the use of sustainable transport for journeys in to and around Carmarthenshire’s largest town. Read more
New Mumbles’ sea defence scheme to provide huge boost for businesses
A number of new enterprises are busy attracting customers as a multi-million pound project to protect a Swansea community from the effects of climate change nears completion. The new arrivals range from a health and fitness centre to a contemporary outdoor lifestyle shop to a travel agency and hope to provide a shot in the arm for Mumbles after two years of works on sea defences along its famous promenade. Read more
Rural connectivity is a catalyst for thriving farming
Major investment across South West Wales will help narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas in a boost for agriculture and remote communities. Forming part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s £25m digital infrastructure programme, a dedicated rural workstream is committed to delivering high-quality connectivity to places where the cost of connecting homes and businesses would otherwise be too high for commercial investment alone to be viable. Read more
Update issued on £136m sports and medical centre plan for Swansea
The Swansea Bay City Deal is pleased to announce that Willmott Dixon have been announced as the developer for the new life sciences facility as part of their Campuses project, in partnership with Swansea University, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board through ARCH, and Swansea Council. Read more about the new sports and medical technology centre
The Innovation Matrix Officially Opens – A Hub for Digital Innovation and Business Collaboration
Funded through a strategic partnership between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Swansea Bay City Deal, the cutting-edge 2,200sqm Innovation Matrix in Swansea’s SA1 Waterfront offers a unique opportunity for established businesses and dynamic start-ups to accelerate new product development, access specialist technical support, hire graduate talent and create knowledge exchange partnerships with the University. Read more
Swansea Named Among UK’s Best Places for Property Investment
The city came in third place in a Sunday Times list of places that are on the up in 2025, thanks to a combination of major regeneration schemes, strong culture and hardworking communities. The Sunday Times points to regeneration schemes like the Swansea Building Society Arena, which it says has added extra cultural clout to a city that already includes the Grand Theatre and Brangwyn Hall, along with energetic grassroots theatre, art and music scenes. Read more
New café offers stacked sandwiches named after famous films
Darkside Café is the latest addition to Swansea’s culinary scene having opened its doors at Park Street in the city centre. The new business specialises in coffee, cakes, and thickly-filled ‘stacked’ sandwiches, many of which have Hollywood themed-names, such as “underground favourite” The Fight Club, made up of turkey, bacon, cheese, tomato and spicy mayo, and “time-travelling classic” The Mac to the Future filled with mac and cheese. Read more
St Davids Fish and Chips shop opens to help the community
Jay Babahan opened St Davids Fish and Chips on St Davids High Street on February 11. The business owner, who has lived in Pembrokeshire for 25 years, said: “We have wanted to help the local community for a long time. We use produce from local farmers such as potatoes and fresh fish. We are happy to be in St Davids. We want to grow our business, and we want to show we are the best fish and chips shop around.” Read more
American diner-style restaurant with Xbox coming to Narberth
The Smash Patty Company has opened at Grace Court in Narberth. Co-owner Terri Elliot said: “We’re an American diner where children and families can go after school to enjoy a milkshake and a burger. We are excited and hoping it’s going to go well. We are planning to put an Xbox in there so children can have FIFA competitions and play some board games. Even if someone can’t afford any food, they are welcome to relax in our venue.” Read more
There are so many reasons to feel positive about Swansea, and what our city has to offer
From its independent music and cultural offer, to its diverse and multicultural food scene, to its location on the sweep of Swansea Bay, set amidst fantastic countryside and coastline for an amazing quality of life. Hear from some of Swansea’s positive influencers, about what they love about our city and why they think more people should be positive about Swansea! If you live in South West Wales, have your say and let us know what you love most about Swansea.
We caught up with Martyn Wagstaff, who following redundancy at Tata Steel, started his own business with support from local funding schemes
Martyn’s business, Springfield Advisory Ltd, provides mental health and wellbeing support to businesses, looking after employers and employees. He has been able to access financial support, and is looking forward to others like himself, being able to benefit from the new employment and skills fund to support Tata Steel and supply chain workers in affected by the redundancies. Find out more about the Tata Transition Board Employment and Skills Fund
Pioneering study examines cold water therapy’s potential to treat PTSD
Scientists at Swansea University have embarked on a groundbreaking study to examine whether cold water immersion (CWI) therapy can alleviate PTSD. One in 10 people in the UK experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Yet despite its prevalence, there has been limited research undertaken into the condition in the UK, and to date, no scientific study has been conducted anywhere in the world that explicitly examines the impact of CWI on PTSD symptoms. Read more
Welsh ports in running for floating wind farms
Swansea, Port Talbot and Milford Haven have been shortlisted for contracts to develop offshore wind farm projects with turbines as high as skyscrapers in the Celtic Sea. The turbines could be up to 300m (984ft) tall – almost as high as The Shard in London – and sit on a football pitch-sized platform. The projects will be capable of generating enough renewable energy capacity to power more than four million homes, and would also create up to 5,000 jobs. Read more
The Crown Estate in new round of £50m fund to bolster UK’s offshore windfarm supply chain
The Crown Estate’s current offshore wind leasing round five expected to deliver up to 4.5GW in the Celtic Sea. Each of the three proposed schemes will have capacity to generate 1.5 GW of power and collectively deliver a gross valued added boost for the UK economy of £1.4bn and create and support more than 5,000 jobs. Recipients in Wales in the first round included Marine Power Systems, Pembroke College and Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges. Read more
Native oyster success story on the Milford Haven Waterway
Braving a strong easterly wind, students from Paddle West (assisted by Sky the dog) successfully deposited 20,000 baby oysters onto the seabed. While not all will survive, many are expected to take hold and contribute to the recovery of the native oyster population. Once abundant in UK waters, native oyster populations have dramatically declined due to habitat loss, pollution, over-harvesting and disease. Read more
Branching out: Swansea Building Society expands tree-planting initiative at Penllergare Valley Woods
Swansea Building Society has expanded its commitment to environmental sustainability by planting over 800 native trees and shrubs at Penllergare Valley Woods estate over two days. A team of 28 Swansea Building Society staff members took part in the initiative over the two days, which also included the clearance of invasive non-native plant species such as rhododendron and laurel. Read more
Facility to give new life to old tyres with Welsh Government support
Tuf Treads, in Carmarthenshire, will save old tyres by using them to produce premium re-treaded tyres using latest manufacturing technology. Re-treading gives suitable tyres a new start once the original tread is worn away. The new initiative helps Wales fulfil its net zero commitments by producing high quality tyres from recycled, used tyres that otherwise would be in landfill. The new factory in Cross Hands will see 30 new jobs created. Read more
Shining a light on positive things happening across the city is a key objective of 4theRegion
So bringing together movers and shakers from Swansea’s grassroots music venues to discuss the achievements and challenges of our music venues was a real highlight. One of the challenges was the lack of late night transport out of the city following events. A recent campaign between local grassroots venues and Swansea Building Society Arena resulted in Transport for Wales adding an additional late night train so gig-goers can catch the end of their shows. Read more
Call to celebrate our notable people, places and events as Blue Plaque scheme opens
A commemorative Blue Plaque Scheme to celebrate notable people, places and events across Neath Port Talbot has opened for submissions. The budget for the provision of two plaques per year will be covered by the council. However, if you can self-fund a blue plaque, you can submit a nomination. This Blue Plaque Scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for our communities to celebrate local heritage and ensure these stories continue to inspire future generations.” Read more
Inside Swansea’s newest hotel apartments with a food court directly beneath them
You can now stay at Swansea’s historic Albert Hall, with ten self-catering apartments unveiled featuring a special nod to the building’s past. The apartments are dog friendly and are all named after notable people who performed there, such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde, with blue plaques outside each door offering guests more information. Guests who stay there also have access to a workout area and games area. Read more
Pembrokeshire oysters gain top UK recognition in PGI status
Two of Wales’ finest seafood delicacies – the Pembrokeshire rock oyster and the Pembrokeshire native oysters – have officially been awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which is the UK’s mark of authenticity, regional identity and quality. This recognition celebrates the pristine waters and rich biodiversity of Angle Bay, at the mouth of the Cleddau Estuary, where they are grown in Class A waters surrounded by seagrass beds. Read more
Figures show Swansea Building Society Arena success since opening – stars have included Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper with The Hollywood Vampires
More than three quarters of a million people have visited Swansea Building Society Arena since it opened three years ago, outperformng initial projections. Opening in March 2022, the arena has hosted a huge number of ticketed events, conferences, exhibitions and university graduation ceremonies. The Manic Street Preachers, Ocean Colour Scene and Greg Davies are amongst forthcoming events. Read more
Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2025 shortlist revealed
The shortlist for the world’s largest and most prestigious literary prize for young writers – the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize – features six extraordinary, emerging voices, including three debuts, whose writing experiments with form, structure and style to explore identity, gender, grief and sexuality. Worth £20,000, this global accolade recognises exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under, celebrating the international world of fiction in all its forms. Read more
Gower College Swansea Celebrates Strong International Partnerships
Gower College Swansea continues to proudly welcome a diverse group of international students studying mainly A Levels at its Gorseinon Campus. This year, students have joined them from countries including China, Vietnam, Canada, Italy, and Botswana. The College has earned an excellent reputation for its outstanding A Level results and strong progression rates to top universities both in Wales and across the UK. Read more
Semiconductor research breakthrough is a first for UK
Researchers at the Centre for Integrated Semiconductor Materials at Swansea University have made a significant breakthrough in semiconductor research by establishing the first 4-inch thin film gallium oxide capability in the UK. This is a type of next generation semiconductor material that can more efficiently support the high voltages, power densities, and frequencies required for electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and 5G communications. Read more
Skills Academy Wales The Highest Performing Apprenticeship Provider in Wales
Leading the SAW Work-Based Learning Partnership, NPTC Group of Colleges effectively engages with twelve training providers offering apprenticeship opportunities across Wales. The apprenticeship programmes are designed to equip individuals with the practical experience and qualifications necessary to thrive in the workforce, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of a fast-evolving job market. Read more
Formula 1 driver Lando Norris visits Swansea University sport and exercise science labs in preparation for 2025 race season
With 24 races across 21 countries in 5 different continents, Formula 1 is a multi-billion pound sport attracting a global fanbase of around 750 million. Fine margins, often defined by split seconds, separate first and second place. This is why F1 championship contender Lando Norris chose Swansea University’s Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise & Medicine (A-STEM) research centre to undergo a series of rigorous motorsport athlete performance tests. Read more
Celebrating Student Success at Skills Competition Wales
Students from across NPTC Group of Colleges are celebrating an impressive medal haul at this year’s Skills Competition Wales Celebration event held Swansea Building Society Arena. A total of 16 students won medals following a series of local competitions held in January and February at colleges across Wales. Students medalled across a range of areas, including Patisserie & Confectionary, Health & Social Care and Net Zero Skills. Read more
Pembrokeshire College student wins gold medal in competition
Alfie Vincent, from St David’s, was awarded gold in the enterprise category at the Skills Competition Wales 2025, which aims to nurture talent and drive excellence across skill sectors by collaborating with a network of colleges, work-based learning providers, and employer-led organisations. The competition saw more than 1,000 representatives from across Wales compete to be the best across 20 sectors. Read more