Swansea University has pledged its commitment to developing the cultural life of the city following the launch of a new initiative.

Swansea Council's five-year Culture Strategy sets out a shared vision to create new experiences, opportunities for local talent and stronger community connections.

It aims to build on Swansea's distinctive mix of arts, sport, heritage, creativity, libraries, tourism, the Welsh language and community activity.

One of the strategy's most significant elements is a focus on strengthening talent pathways across the city's cultural and creative economy. It highlights the importance of working with further and higher education providers to align learning with the needs of cultural and creative organisations, helping students develop the skills, experience and networks needed to build careers locally.

Professor Sian Rees, Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, said Swansea University was delighted to be part of this vision. She said: "We work closely with the Council across a number of cultural dimensions including creative industries, heritage and sport and University colleagues have participated in a range of workshops and discussions to support the development of the strategy.

"We see our role as working in collaboration with partners such as the Council across the city to nurture, support and contribute to the cultural life of Swansea and we understand the significant benefits that cultural activities bring to the economic life of the region, as well as to the wellbeing of the city's students, visitors and inhabitants."

The Strategy emphasises the contribution that Swansea's universities already make to the city's cultural life and creative economy with research, innovation, knowledge exchange and graduate talent regarded as critical to Swansea's future success.

As a result, its actions include:

• identifying skills gaps across creative, cultural and technical roles;
• expanding placements, mentoring opportunities, residencies and apprenticeships;
• creating clearer progression routes into employment; and,
• establish project experience and stronger links between education providers and employers.

The Strategy was developed through more than 18 months of research, engagement and consultation. More than 100 stakeholders took part with more than 400 consultation responses received from residents, community groups, cultural organisations, businesses, public sector partners and council services.

The next step will see a series of partnership groups set up to help drive delivery of the Strategy. These will bring together cultural organisations, businesses, community partners and educational institutions to shape and deliver practical actions over the next five years.

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