Vikki Howells MS, Minister for Further and Higher Education
I wish to update Members on the establishment of Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, which became operational on 1 August 2024. Medr is a new arm's-length body responsible for funding, oversight and regulation of tertiary education in Wales. It is a momentous moment; for the first time in Wales we are bringing together in one place oversight of higher and further education; local authority-maintained school sixth forms; apprenticeships; adult community learning and work-based education; and research and innovation.
Funding for 2024 – 25 is now in place, and Medr is preparing its first strategic plan in response to government priorities published earlier this year. The strategic plan will be submitted to Welsh Ministers in December. I look forward to working with Medr and the sector more widely to shape and drive improvement across the tertiary education sector in Wales and increase and widen post-16 participation. I wish to thank all those involved for their commitment and hard work which has allowed us to reach this point.
I'm also pleased to advise three Associate Members joined the Medr board on 1 September for a period of 4 years. Associate Members will not only help support the strategic direction but bring an invaluable perspective of post compulsory education and training, promoting the needs of learners and the workforce in tertiary education.
The Members are as follows:
Learner Member: Deio Owen, President NUS Wales
Education Workforce (academic) Member: Estelle Hart, UCU
Education Workforce (non-academic) Member: Daniel Beard, Unison