Migration czar to halt exodus of young talent

Dec 4 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Bangor And Anglesey Mail

EFFORTS to stop outward migration of Anglesey's young people have been intensified as the council now seeks to appoint an officer to stem the "brain drain".

Economic Development Scrutiny Committee last week backed plans which should help stem the tide of young people leaving the Island.

Members agreed that the development of the Mon-Magnet project should continue with a bid for Objective One funding in order to appoint an officer to co-ordinate and fund a raft of measures to counter the migration problem.

Whilst most counties in Wales have been losing young people, the rate of outward migration on Anglesey has been exceptionally high and addressing this problem has become a top priority for the authority.

Head of economic development Huw Griffiths said: "The loss of young people from Anglesey is clearly an extremely serious problem which has implications for the future.

"The Economic Development Unit, in consultation with the Economic Regeneration Partnership, has been working on a local solution."

MÙn-Magnet is currently being developed with the W elsh Development Agency and Careers Wales. It is aimed specifically at reversing the trend of youth outmigration and depopulation by encouraging talented young people to return or remain on Anglesey.

Economic development scrutiny committee chairman Cllr Eifion Jones said: "Appointing a migration officer will assist the county council to combat the problem of youth outmigration and rural depopulation by developing innovative counter-migration activities.

"MÙn-Magnet will also help reduce the mismatch between skills supply and demand," he added.

Other counter-migration under consideration will include an Employer-Student Link Scheme, a new ezine/newsletter to promote and market the island to those who have left, an annual Graduate Opportunities Conference and Anglesey Opportunities Booklet aimed at schools.

Economic development portfolio holder Cllr W J Williams said: "These are all positive activities which, with the support of Objective One funding, will help the authority tackle the problem of outward migration. Young people are the future of the Island and we must do everything in our power to ensure they remain here."