Minister for Economy and Transport Ken Skates says Mid-Wales apprentices at failed construction firm Dawnus will be offered assistance following the collapse of the company.

Mr Skates was responding to an urgent question from Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson in the Senedd this week, who was seeking assurances on the future of workers employed by the firm.

Swansea based Dawnus, which employs 700 people across six regional offices and 44 construction sites, was awarded contracts by Powys County Council to build three new schools in the county, but last week it was confirmed that the company had gone into administration.

On Wednesday, March 20, Labour AM Watson asked the minister for a statement on the impact of the collapse.

“Dawnus directly employ 700 people. That is a large number but there is a much larger potential number of those affected within those localities. These are not just numbers of people but they are real families being affected," she said.

“My immediate concern is for the workers and their families, and for those left out of pocket throughout the supply chain. It must be a very worrying time for them.

“There’s also a need to ensure that any apprentices that are caught up in this are supported, and Construction Industry Training Body (CITB) have indicated that they are willing to help, and have helped in other situations like this."

Responding, Mr Skates said the Welsh Government 'stood ready' to provide assistance to those affected by the firm's collapse.

"I can confirm that we have engaged with CITB, so as many of the apprentices as possible can complete their frameworks and go on to secure long term sustainable employment within the sector," he said.

"We will also work with local government over the many schools programmes, flood defence schemes and infrastructure projects to ensure the public purse is protected and as many projects as possible can be taken forward through sub-contractors or through alternative arrangements.

"This is a very distressing time for many businesses and many families, but Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales stand ready to assist wherever they can."

Dawnus were contracted to build a 360-pupil English-medium primary school and a 150-pupil Welsh-medium primary school in Welshpool, as well as a replacement for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen in Machynlleth.

Russell George AM, Shadow Minister for Economy said an outstanding £1.5million debt owed by Dawnus to the Welsh Government called into question the Government's lending practices.

"It was deeply concerning to hear last week of so many Welsh jobs and infrastructure projects threatened by the collapse of Dawnus, and this latest development further compounds the bad news," he said.

"The collapse of this Welsh Government anchor company will have an impact across Wales, and the loss of this £1.5million reignites questions we’ve raised before regarding the Welsh Government’s approach to business lending and the need to ensure greater safeguarding of tax-payers’ money.

"I urge Ministers to act swiftly to limit the damage that this sad news could bring, and to consider carefully their future business lending strategy."