Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today I am delighted to be publishing our vision for the post compulsory education and training sector (PCET) in Wales. Our vision, informed by the Well-being of Future Generations goals, seeks to build on the strengths of our existing PCET sector in order to better meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Our school sixth forms, colleges, universities, training and adult learning providers are crucial to meeting the challenges that Wales will face in the future: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, establishing a new relationship with the European Union, and dramatic longer term technological, environmental, cultural and demographic change.
The vision statement is accompanied by a ‘Principles for Change’ document which provides a summary of these challenges and outlines the principles that will guide our journey towards realising the vision.
Working together, we will deliver a more engaged, excellent and equitable PCET sector which prioritises the interests of learners and contributes to national prosperity. We wish to see a joined up PCET system in Wales that is easy for learners to navigate, is valued by the public, creates a highly skilled society and tackles inequalities. We will deliver outstanding provision that is globally renowned for excellent education, training, research and innovation, and has a civic mission at its heart.
Our approach will enable learners to move seamlessly from compulsory to post-compulsory education, building on our national mission of education reform.
I am grateful for the valuable feedback my officials have received from a wide range of stakeholders on the development of this vision.
The establishment of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research will be essential to realising the vision. Subject to legislation, the Commission will have extensive funding, planning and regulatory powers, enabling it to improve quality, efficiency and efficacy across the PCET sector.
I announced a consultation on the Draft Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill on 14 July 2020. I would like to thank all those who have already contributed to the consultation and encourage others to input their views prior to the closing date of 4 December 2020.
Vision statement and Principles for Change document.