Review of vocational qualifications in Wales

A key element of The Co-operation Agreement (2021) between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru is the commitment to review the vocational qualifications on offer to learners and employers.

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language appointed Sharron Lusher, in June 2022, to chair the Vocational Qualifications for Wales Steering Group. The Steering Group met monthly from June 2022 to July 2023 and submitted its report to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language on 22 July 2023.

The review was undertaken at the same time that other devolved governments in the UK were completing their own reviews, and because of the decision from the Westminster Government to phase out large numbers of level 2 and 3 vocational qualifications by 2024 as part of the introduction of ‘T’ levels in England.

During the review process, focus groups, interviews, and workshops were used to gather evidence. These were facilitated through organisations and established groups and networks.

The vocational qualifications review had 6 objectives:

1. To document and comment on the relevance and effectiveness of the vocational qualifications currently on offer in Wales at levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and identify priority areas for further action.
2. To identify the international models for vocational qualifications, including any recent trends and changes, and their suitability and applicability here, in light of the ambitions and aims of the new Curriculum for Wales.
3. To consider the impact of new T level qualifications in Wales and the options, including alternatives, for learners in Wales.
4. To consider work done by Qualifications Wales on ascertaining what current vocational qualifications awarding bodies in Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are planning to do to alter the range of vocational qualifications they offer at levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 over the remaining four years of the current Senedd.
5. To outline and evaluate the options for the Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales, and vocational qualification providers in Wales in light of the likely changes identified under points 1 to 4.
6. Make recommendations to Welsh Ministers and Designated Members for the form and timing of the significant expansion of ‘made-in-Wales’ and ‘made-for-Wales’ vocational qualifications over the period 2023 to 2026. This will include the additional resource and funding requirements to support any proposed changes.

If you would like to contact us regarding the review, you can email us at vqreview@gov.wales or write to:

Vocational and 16-19 Delivery Team
Further Education and Apprenticeships Division
Second Floor North Core
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

We welcome correspondence in Welsh.