An Ammanford business founder gave a speech at an Entrepreneurship and Career Summit held in Carmarthenshire.

Scott James, founder of Coaltown Coffee Roasters on Foundry Road, was one of the leading names speaking at the summit.

The summit, held at Canolfan yr Egin in Carmarthen, was aiming to stop young people moving out of rural Wales to seek work opportunities elsewhere across the UK.

Responding to the concerns, Professor Emeritus Andy Penaluna from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David expressed how areas such as Ceredigion had seen a 28 per cent drop in 15- to 19-year-olds since 2011.

Alongside Scott, other guest speakers included Careers Wales chief executive Nikki Lawrence, Llinos Price from Big Ideas Wales, and Careers Development Institute) president and chair, Carolyn Parry.

Senedd member for Mid and West Wales, Cefin Campbell, chaired the panel, which discussed topics including the national recruitment crisis and how to help young people navigate their working lives.

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There was also a special message at the summit from Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, who said: “You don’t have to get out to get on, you can make your future here in Wales.

“In terms of skills and employment, our Young Persons Guarantee is an ambitious programme that will aim to provide everyone under 25 in Wales with support to access education, training or into work or self-employment.

“Our challenge is making sure we have balanced communities where young people have a fighting chance of planning and living a successful future right here in Wales.”

South Wales Guardian: Cefin Campbell chairing the panel at the summitCefin Campbell chairing the panel at the summit (Image: Antur Cymru Enterprises)

Bronwen Raine, managing director of Antur Cymru Enterprise, who hosted the event, also delivered a presentation on the organisation’s crucial work in rural areas – including delivery of Big Ideas Wales Youth Entrepreneurship support - and thanked everyone who attended on the day.

“The summit brought together prominent figures from education, politics and different industries and covered some pivotal themes,” she added.

“It was a chance to showcase what guidance and advice is out there for young people, but also to discuss and debate what needs to be done to keep talent in this country, now and in the future – I think we did that and look forward to holding further events soon.”