Leighton Andrews, Minister for Education and Skills
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government is launching a formal 6-week consultation exercise today on proposals to amend the requirements for registration of the education workforce in Wales.
The education workforce has changed rapidly in the last ten years. The options available to learners in Wales through policies such as 14-19 Learning Pathways, collaboration between schools and post 16 providers have led to closer working of practitioners between different sectors. There has also been a rapid increase in the number of people supporting teaching and learning.
It is vital that all these different practitioners work together effectively and are able to access well designed qualifications, support and development. Their professionalism, suitability and standards of conduct, training and development are key to their success.
A key feature of many professions is that they register with a professional body that sets and maintains professional standards, and so retains public confidence.
The Programme for Government gave a commitment to review the General Teaching Council for Wales and so we consulted on broad principles of registration of the wider workforce between December 2011 and March 2012.
Our intention in this consultation is to set out more detail relating to the functions and operation of a registration body and seek views on the detail of the operations, role and functions in preparation for inclusion in the forthcoming Education (Wales) Bill.
The proposals in this consultation develop a robust registration system which will enhance the workforce planning, training and development and bring greater coherence and recognition of the contribution of the whole education workforce to the education of all learners in Wales.
The consultation period ends on 19 October 2012. Consultees include local and diocesan authorities, governing bodies of foundation and voluntary aided schools, children and young people and other interested parties. The consultation documents are available on the Welsh Government's website.
Subject to the responses to this consultation, and following consideration of those responses by the Welsh Government, the proposals will be included in the forthcoming Education (Wales) Bill.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.