Siambr · Member of the Senedd · Register of record
Cefin Campbell
Tenures
- Sixth Senedd Sir Gaerfyrddin Plaid Cymru
- Seventh Senedd Sir Gaerfyrddin Plaid Cymru
Ministerial roles
- Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Y Dirprwy Weinidog Sgiliau ac Addysg Drydyddol
Contributions, by sitting day
58 contributions on record, newest first. Official verbatim record.
6
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Thank you for the question. We are investing more than £26 million through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme to deliver modern, high-quality further education facilities across Swansea. This includes the refurbishment of Gower College Swansea’s Tycoch campus and the redevelopment of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe for both secondary and further education learners.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
There are two points there, Mike. The first one is around NEETs. This is an area of great concern for me and the Government. We know the NEET cohort in Wales is increasing. Roughly 17 per cent of the 16 to 24-year-old age group are NEET. That's clearly not where we want to be. We have to put interventions in place to stop them becoming NEET. That takes different approaches. The Alan Milburn report showed that about 70 per cent of those who are NEET are economically inactive—that is, they are not ready for work. That is because they have several barriers in their own personal lives that stop them becoming employable. That could be around mental health issues, it could be additional learning needs, it could be childcare, transport, disabilities, and so on. I am going to lead an inter-ministerial group of people to look at the NEETs agenda and how we can bring different policy areas to play, which would obviously involve health, social services, transport and so on. So, that's the first part. The second part is ensuring that no young person will be turned away from the course that they want to study. I am increasingly aware of the significant increases in learner numbers in FE in recent years, and I recognise that that adds funding challenges to FE colleges. I am committed to reviewing that increased level of participation and the financial pressures over the next month, as we have final figures coming through. We will consider providing additional funding over and above what Medr have already provided, £6.25 million, should that money be available, given the budgetary constraints that we are under.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
I'll deal with the main and the most important parts of that question, if I may. If I can refer back to a skills summit we organised on 8 October in the Swansea.com Stadium, for the first time ever we brought employers, small and medium-sized and large companies together with education providers. It was a hugely successful event, where employers were telling us that they need to forge a better relationship with apprenticeship providers and vocational skills providers. Employers know what the emerging sectors are. They know what skills they need for the future. So, we need to develop a mechanism where they are telling providers what they need and that we match them both together. Now, I heard my colleague the Minister for enterprise explain earlier on that we need to create more demand as well. And you heard him explain how we are going to do that through setting up a Welsh development agency and other programmes as well to support industry and SMEs to take on more apprenticeships. I believe that apprenticeships are a great pathway into work and into further and higher education as well. You can earn and learn at the same time. So, we are committed to supporting the apprenticeship scheme, and we will be working with employers to make sure that what they need, in terms of the skills level, matches what education providers can put on in FE colleges, universities and also through apprenticeship schemes.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
The Welsh Government is committed to lifelong learning and ensuring that adults can access opportunities to develop new skills, retrain and progress throughout their lives. Through personal learning accounts, employability programmes and further education opportunities, we support adults retraining for new careers to realise their potential and progress into sustainable employment.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Well, like you, I was there in the Inspire! adult learning awards, and what a terrific night it was, to hear the remarkable stories of adult learners across Wales, many who have overcome very personal barriers to achieve in their learning. It really was an inspirational evening and, for me, it's one of the highlights of the year to go to that event. What it shows is that adult learning is about more than just gaining qualifications or skills. It builds confidence, it increases resilience and it improves well-being, and I was delighted to be there to share in Yassmein's success that evening. In terms of your direct question, the Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people of all ages have opportunities to learn throughout their lives. We do provide Medr with funding streams, which is allocated to further education colleges and other providers to support learners facing particular barriers. They may relate to disabilities, financial hardship, transport issues, childcare, mental health and well-being. This can include additional learning support, disability-related support, transport assistance, childcare, well-being services and so on, because we want to remove those barriers that stand in their way. Now, in particular, there is a community learning grant worth £6.5 million available to fund adult community learning in general, adult basic education, employability, English for speakers of other languages and well-being courses. These actually help people back into skills and work. There is also a learning grant for learners over the age of 19, and also a personal learning account programme, which aims to help individuals upskill or reskill, as you mentioned, in priority sectors. So, the Welsh Government is absolutely clear that we do support adults in their retraining and upskilling, and want to be as supportive as we can. Because lifelong learning means exactly that: it never stops. So, we are 100 per cent committed to that programme.
1
Open this sitting on the stage
6. Reform UK Debate: Local referendums on council tax rises en
What about public services? How do you pay for them?
12
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn. Y newyddion da yw bod mwy o bobl yn dysgu Cymraeg nag erioed o'r blaen, ac mae'n braf gweld diddordeb yn tyfu ymysg pobl o bob oedran ac o bob cefndir. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn buddsoddi dros £18 miliwn yn y Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol eleni i greu cyfleoedd i oedolion a phobl ifanc i ddysgu'r iaith. Mae'r ganolfan yn cynnig darpariaeth ar-lein, wyneb yn wyneb neu hybrid ar draws pob lefel i'w dysgwyr.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for the question. The good news is that more people are learning Welsh than ever before, and it's wonderful to see interest growing amongst people of all ages and of all backgrounds. The Welsh Government is investing over £18 million in the National Centre for Learning Welsh this year to create opportunities for adults and young people to learn Welsh. The centre provides online provision, face-to-face provision and hybrid provision across all levels to its learners.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you very much indeed. Immersion teaching has been with us in Wales for many years, and it's the proven way of ensuring that children acquire the Welsh language, the target language, in the most effective way possible. This was based on work that was done in Canada, where they have immersion programmes. We know that children from non-Welsh-speaking backgrounds acquire the Welsh language fluently through immersion schools. But what we need as well is support for the parents, like yourself, who are learning with their children. I know the national language centre does provide funding and support for parents through various programmes, so that they can learn with their children at the pace their children are developing. This is equally important in terms of helping parents to help their children with homework, which is one of the barriers that many parents have about putting their children into Welsh-medium schools: 'How can I help with homework?' I can provide many answers to that. First, it's not their parents' homework anyway, but I could go on and on. But where they feel that they can help, learning Welsh is important and helps develop a bond between parents and their children through that second language. I think that sends a positive signal to families about the importance of bilingualism and living in a bilingual Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language cy
Llongyfarchiadau mawr am ddysgu Cymraeg. Rŷch chi'n byw, fel fi, mewn sir lle mae'r Gymraeg yn rhan bwysig o'r gymuned.
Official English translation
Congratulations for learning Welsh. You live, like I do, in a county where the Welsh language is an important part of the community.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language en
Carmarthenshire, which we share in terms of our constituency, is a predominantly Welsh-speaking area, and it is great that people like you are learning the language. The national centre that I referred to earlier on provides funding, and the Welsh Government gives them £18 million to provide funding for courses that are tailored to the needs of people, whether that is in the community, in the Senedd, in workplaces, and online as well. As a former Welsh language tutor myself, I know how important it is for those courses to be available in workplaces in particular, but also in the community. The joy of the workplace is that a place like the Senedd does give you opportunities not only to learn the language, but to use the language as well, as you have effectively done this afternoon. I would encourage all Members and all staff members in the Senedd, and other workplaces across Wales, to learn the language and be supported in a sensitive and effective way by those of us who are Welsh speakers by engaging with you and practising the language with you. Because learning Welsh is a virtuous cycle in many different ways. It's to do with confidence, it's to do with opportunity and it's to do with developing skills. That cycle needs to be continued and developed until you become fluent to use the language in all kinds of different ways in life. Da iawn.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language cy
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language en
Welsh Government supports adult learners across Wales through investment in further education, community learning, personal learning accounts, employability programmes and essential skills provision. Working with local providers, including Coleg y Cymoedd and Merthyr college in your constituency, we are helping adults to gain skills, progress in work and access lifelong learning opportunities.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language en
Well, again, you make a really important point. Let me just agree with you that, with adult learning, the benefits are so wide-ranging. It supports the development of skills, improves health and well-being and is a catalyst for social engagement and integration. It also shows that well-paid work, through developing skills, is the best route out of poverty, and helping people to gain the skills they need to thrive and work is a clear priority for this Welsh Government. And I'm looking forward to the awards ceremony this evening as well, the Inspire! adult learning awards. It is, for me—and I've been to many over recent years—one of the highlights of the year, when you see the outstanding achievements of learners whose passion, commitment and dedication I think demonstrates the transformative power of lifelong learning. But, to answer your question briefly, we are keeping a very close watch on the increased enrolments in FE colleges in particular. We know that that creates funding pressures for FE colleges. And I'm aware that Medr have given £6.25 million in this financial year, which straddles half the academic year, to help FE colleges, but we are monitoring the situation with Medr, and, if funding allows, we will try and support the FE sector but also adult learning in general as best as we can.
6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education cy
Cynnig yn ffurfiol.
Official English translation
Formally move.
6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Gaf i ddiolch i Lynne Neagle am ddod â'r cynnig pwysig yma gerbron?
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Llywydd. May I thank Lynne Neagle for bringing forward this very important motion?
6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education en
Thank you for bringing this motion to the Chamber, and can I thank everyone for their powerful contributions to this debate? I find myself agreeing with all the points that have been made. You will not find a greater champion for skills, tertiary education and the futures of young people than me, and I'm glad that we have had this opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting our young people, moving forward. I'm sure we all want to see increased opportunities for young people, a stronger skills system, a stronger and more flourishing economy, and young people supported by a committed and able workforce. The NEETs statistics that have been highlighted by so many of you are completely unacceptable for us in Wales. The fact that 50,000 plus young people are NEETs between 16 and 24 is not where we want to be as a nation, with about 17 per cent of young people facing reduced life chances at a very early age. We can do better than this. We must do better than this. This is a situation this Welsh Government has inherited in many ways. As I set out in my statement on priorities for skills and tertiary education earlier this Senedd term, supporting young people into learning and work is a key priority for this Government. We want a system that develops skills, builds confidence and creates genuine pathways into employment and further learning. Our ambition is one education system and skills system for Wales, a system that's accessible, coherent and of the highest quality, and one that supports people throughout their lives and contributes to economic prosperity and social cohesion. Now, earlier this year—again, it's been mentioned many times—Alan Milburn published his interim report into young people and work. His report highlights that, across the UK, one in eight young people are NEETs. We can't underestimate the impact that this has on young people and their families and the lasting effects on future earnings, health, well-being and life chances. So too must we consider the impact on communities and the local economy, and the sense of belonging and a social and economic infrastructure that allows them opportunities to flourish. What the Alan Milburn report also highlights is that about 70 per cent of those young people that are NEETs are economically inactive. That is, they are not actively looking for work. That clearly shows that there are underlying issues as well around that 70 per cent to do with mental health, to do with disability, to do with ALN, to do with childcare. There are so many other barriers that we need to recognise. These are the young people furthest away from the labour market. So, in terms of that 70 per cent, what we need to do is have an integrated holistic strategy for tackling NEETs. NEETs aren't the responsibility solely of education and skills. It has to involve health, it has to involve social services, it has to involve transport, training and housing, and all those issues that many of you have raised today. So, I am committing to develop a holistic NEETs strategy for Wales—[Interruption.] Yes, go on.
6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education en
Thank you, Mike. I'm just coming on to that. We need highly skilled people, we need to get people off that NEET register. I recognise the increased participation in further education. I've had numerous conversations with Medr and ColegauCymru, and I've had correspondence from individual colleges as well, as I'm sure everyone in this Senedd has. I recognise the challenges and I am monitoring the situation. We will know better by November what the exact data is. Although we are in very difficult and challenging financial circumstances at the moment—that is well known to everyone in this Chamber—I will be making a case for us to support the increased enrolments that we are seeing in FE colleges, because failing to do so would be to let down a whole group of young people who are the most vulnerable in our society. But my point is this: it is not only for colleges to support young people. As I mentioned, we need a wider approach, especially around that 70 per cent who have various difficulties in becoming active in looking for employment. We need to reduce the number of learners not in education, training and employment, but we need to involve other key partners as well, like apprenticeship providers and so on. We need to work closely with the business sector to ensure that employers are giving opportunities to young people to have a softer approach to work experience, and then maybe apprenticeships as well. We see the increased enrolments as well around level 1 and level 2 courses, which are basic numeracy and literacy courses, which is why it is important that the Minister for education launched her numeracy and literacy plan last week, so that we put the basics in place in our schools to avoid those young people having difficulties later on in life. That is why I fully support the development of the VCSEs that are coming on board in our schools in 2027. They will give opportunities at a very early age for young people to make choices around vocational studies, more academic pathways, or a hybrid of both. I think that that is a way forward as well to ensure that our young people develop the skills, talent and interests that they have in as wide a set of options as possible. I find myself in full agreement with all of the points that have been made about the importance of skills and supporting young people into education, training and employment. I am monitoring the situation in terms of how we can support that financially and we will be making a statement around this in due course. I will finish off, Llywydd—I know my time is up.
6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education cy
Dwi eisiau dweud, yn sydyn iawn, bod ein huchelgais ni fel Llywodraeth yn glir iawn: rydyn ni eisiau gweld llwybrau cryfach rhwng ysgolion, colegau, prentisiaethau a chyflogaeth, ac rydyn ni eisiau gweld pob dysgwr, beth bynnag eu cefndir, yn cael y cyfle gorau mewn bywyd. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
I want to say very briefly that our ambition as a Government is very clear: we want to see stronger pathways between schools, colleges, apprenticeships and employment, and we want to see every learner, whatever their background, receiving the best opportunity in life. Thank you.
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Open this sitting on the stage
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n falch iawn o gadarnhau ein bod ni wedi lansio adolygiad annibynnol o addysg uwch yng Nghymru, ar ôl cyhoeddi'r cylch gorchwyl ar 4 Awst yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las, yn unol â'n hymrwymiad ni i wneud hynny o fewn 100 diwrnod i sefydlu'r Llywodraeth hon. Mae'r adolygiad hwn yn rhan o'n cenhadaeth ehangach i adeiladu Cymru gryfach, decach a mwy ffyniannus drwy addysg, sgiliau, ymchwil a chyfleoedd. Mae addysg uwch yn un o asedau cenedlaethol pwysicaf Cymru. Mae ein prifysgolion yn addysgu cenedlaethau'r dyfodol, yn llywio gwaith ymchwil ac arloesi, yn cefnogi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, yn cryfhau cymunedau ac yn gwneud cyfraniad amhrisiadwy i'n diwylliant a'n hiaith. Maent yn helpu i greu'r sgiliau, y syniadau a'r cyfleoedd sy'n sail i ffyniant Cymru yn y dyfodol.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to confirm the launch of the independent review of higher education in Wales, following the publication of the terms of reference on 4 August at the Garreg Las National Eisteddfod, in accordance with our commitment to do so within 100 days of the creation of this Government. This review forms part of our wider mission to build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Wales through education, skills, research and opportunity. Higher education is one of Wales's most important national assets. Our universities are educating future generations, driving research and innovation, supporting public services, strengthening communities and are making a significant contribution to our culture and language. They help create the skills, ideas and opportunities on which Wales's future prosperity depends.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
But whilst our universities continue to transform lives and contribute to our economic, social and cultural life every day, they are currently, like universities across the United Kingdom, under significant financial pressure, caused by a range of complex and connected challenges. These include their funding model, the domestic and international student markets, looming demographic changes, the challenge created by artificial intelligence, a changing economy and new directions in UK research and innovation policy. Together they risk creating a perfect storm, one that our universities may not be able to navigate without fundamental reform. The Welsh sector reported a collective underlying deficit of £82 million in 2024-25. Forecasts published by Medr suggest that financial pressures are likely to continue, raising significant questions about the long-term sustainability of parts of the sector. Total student enrolments at our universities declined by 11 per cent between 2022-23 and 2024-25. International enrolments also fell by around a third during that period, while enrolments of Welsh-domiciled students fell by 8 per cent. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service data from the past two recruitment cycles show that these enrolment challenges have continued. Total research grants and contracts income to Welsh universities fell by £35 million between 2022-23 and 2024-25, primarily due to the final withdrawal of European Union structural and regional development funding. Alongside these challenges, our student finance system has reached the limits of affordability within the spending controls imposed by UK Treasury. We must consider how to best target support for learners where it's most needed, whilst also ensuring the long-term sustainability of the system to the Government and without overburdening graduates with their loan repayments. The scale and complexity of these challenges mean that doing nothing is not an option. All these challenges are interconnected and require a strategic response. Incremental adjustments alone will not be sufficient. We need a clear view of how higher education can continue to serve Wales in a changing world, while remaining financially sustainable and delivering the greatest possible benefit for learners, communities and the Welsh economy. That is why we are establishing this review. Its central purpose will be to recommend how Wales can secure a sustainable higher education sector and student finance system for future generations. We want public investment to deliver the strongest possible economic, social and cultural return for Wales, and for Wales to be a destination of choice for learners.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
The review will take a comprehensive view of the higher education system. It will examine student support, institutional funding, research and innovation, participation, graduate outcomes, and the organisation and resilience of the sector in Wales. But it will not limit itself to traditional full-time undergraduate study; it will also consider part-time provision, higher education delivered through colleges at level 4 and level 5 study, higher and degree apprenticeships, and postgraduate education. The review will also consider the commitments set out in our programme for government and election manifesto, including how we can increase the proportion of Welsh Government student support expenditure that benefits Wales, how to incentivise more Welsh students and graduates to study, work and train here and increase participation in Welsh-medium and bilingual higher education. Supporting the Welsh language will be a core consideration. We want to expand opportunities for learners to develop and use Welsh throughout their studies, and ensure that Welsh-medium and bilingual provision continues to flourish as part of a modern and inclusive tertiary education system. The review will be conducted independently, because, as sector representatives have argued, a review of this significance should be evidence-led, objective and capable of taking a long-term view. As a Government, we have set out the challenge and the terms of reference, but the chair and panel will assess the evidence independently and develop their recommendations accordingly. Dirprwy Lywydd, I am therefore delighted to announce that the review will be chaired by Professor Patrick Prendergast, former provost and president of Trinity College Dublin and the current chair of South East Technological University in Ireland. Professor Prendergast brings extensive experience of higher education leadership and institutional transformation in Ireland. He will be supported by a small panel of experts with experience across higher education policy, student finance, institutional sustainability, governance, and the intersection between universities and businesses. I will be confirming the full membership of the panel in the very near future and expect it to meet for the first time in early October. Stakeholder engagement will be central to the review's work, and I want to remind Members that the sector itself has called for and has welcomed this review. University students, staff, employers, Medr, trade unions and wider partners will have opportunities to contribute evidence and perspectives throughout the process. We will be inviting key stakeholders to join a stakeholder advisory group to ensure a broad range of voices are heard while preserving the independence of the review. I will also ask the chair to engage with opposition parties in the Senedd and keep them informed of progress and emerging findings. I myself will be meeting with vice-chancellors once again in the autumn. So, given the tight time frame for this review, I expect it to build upon the substantial evidence gathered through the previous Government's call for submissions on the future of tertiary education, as well as its published evaluation of the Diamond reforms, whilst also seeking further evidence, where required, on the specific issues identified in the terms of reference. I can today confirm that a summary of those submissions has been published on the Welsh Government website. The work of this review will not be easy. Difficult choices and trade-offs will need to be considered, and recommendations must be both ambitious and realistic. They will need to operate within the financial constraints facing Welsh Government and the wider public sector. However, I believe, and I am encouraged from the conversations I've had with Professor Prendergast that he shares this view, that this review represents an important opportunity. It starts from a position of confidence in what higher education can and does contribute to Wales, whilst recognising that the status quo is not sustainable.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education cy
I gloi, Ddirprwy Lywydd, fe welais i'r potensial hwn fy hun yng nghynhadledd Cymdeithas Addysg Ryngwladol Ewrop yng Nglasgow wythnos diwethaf. Yno bues i'n cyfarfod â chynrychiolwyr ein holl brifysgolion, a chael trafodaethau cadarnhaol gyda nhw a chyda phartneriaid rhyngwladol sy'n awyddus i weithio gyda nhw. Fe glywais i hefyd sut y byddai ailymuno gydag Erasmus+ yn creu cyfleoedd newydd i fyfyrwyr, staff a sefydliadau ar gyfer astudio, hyfforddi, gweithio ac ymchwilio mewn gwledydd eraill. Yn y bôn, nod yr adolygiad hwn yw sicrhau bod gennym system addysg uwch sy’n gadarn yn ariannol, sydd ag enw da yn rhyngwladol, sydd â gwreiddiau dwfn mewn cymunedau, sy’n cefnogi’r Gymraeg, ac sy’n medru helpu i adeiladu Cymru fwy ffyniannus. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at ddilyn cynnydd y panel a gweithio gyda’r sector ac ar draws y Senedd hon i lunio dyfodol cynaliadwy ar gyfer addysg uwch yng Nghymru.
Official English translation
To close, Dirprwy Lywydd, I saw this potential myself at last week’s European Association for International Education conference in Glasgow. There I met representatives from all our universities, and I had productive meetings with them and with international partners who are eager to work with them. I also heard about how rejoining Erasmus+ will provide new opportunities to students, staff and institutions for international study, work placements, exchanges, training and research in other countries. Fundamentally, the aim of this review is to ensure that we have a higher education system that is financially resilient, that is internationally respected, that is rooted in communities, that is supportive of the Welsh language, and that is capable of helping to build a more prosperous Wales. I look forward very much to following the panel's progress and working with the sector and across the Senedd to shape a sustainable future for higher education in Wales.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education cy
Wel, diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiynau.
Official English translation
Well, thank you very much for those questions.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
Thank you. There are so many different aspects there; I'll try to cover as many as I can. Value for money and tuition fees. We recognise the importance of a fair and sustainable system of student support. I look at it in terms of three aspects, in many ways. The student fees are what keep our universities going. So they need those fees, unless we find other models of funding. There's also the aspect of making it fair for students as well, and you mentioned the burden of the debt that many young people carry. I should maybe also declare an interest. I have three children who went to university and are currently burdened with a huge amount of debt, which they will spend most of their working life repaying. And there are conversations going on amongst young people now as to whether it's worth them going to university or not. So, that is another aspect. And the third aspect, of course, is in terms of Welsh Government support. We want the benefits of that to be the best for Wales. So, when we look at those three aspects, it's a tightrope we have to walk in order to get that balance right. You mentioned technical education. Now, I'm a firm believer in engaging with young people and educating them around the different pathways that are possible for them, not only the traditional work or university route, but there are other routes as well to further education, to work-based learning, apprenticeship schemes and so on. And in 2027, when we'll be introducing vocational certificates of secondary education as part of the Welsh curriculum, they will be exposed to opportunities to have vocational studies, which will engage a number of learners that are disengaged at the moment, and will open opportunities for them to maybe follow pathways that can lead to skills development and even apprenticeship degrees. I believe that our universities should look at providing more technical education. It's one of the interesting discussions I had with Professor Prendergast, because he is the chair of South East Technological University in Ireland. So I'm looking forward to him bringing his experience to bear on the work of the panel. Research and innovation. We need to support our universities to have a greater share of that UK Research and Innovation funding. They currently only get about 2 per cent, whereas the Barnett consequential would be something around 5 per cent. So we need to support them to compete better for that funding. And finally, you mentioned short-term actions. The panel will report back in about 18 months' time, but there will be a preliminary report in about six to nine months' time, especially around the financial support for students. Medr are keeping a close eye on what is going on in every university in Wales, and they feed that information back to me. So, if we need to step in and support, we will, but, at the moment, it's just a matter of monitoring the situation, keeping a close eye on what is happening and providing the best level of support we can. Diolch.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you, Lynne. A number of important points. I'll start off with your first point around the pressures on FE colleges. We absolutely recognise that there are pressures, as there were last year, which is why Medr allocated an additional £6.25 million in this financial year to support those pressures. In discussions I've had with Medr and ColegauCymru with regard to this academic term, we are seeing the pressures again in terms of increased enrolments, especially around levels 1 and 2. So, we will be considering the situation and making a decision around about November, when numbers will have settled down. We understand that funding pressures are acute on one or two FE colleges, but those discussions are ongoing. We want to support the FE colleges as best as we can, because, for the reasons you outlined, they do provide opportunities for those young people, especially those at risk of becoming NEET, and we are acutely aware that we can't allow them to fall through the net in any way by not supporting them. So, we will take a considered view when we know the final numbers closer to November. But in terms of your wider point, we are well aware of the financial challenges. Part-time learners: absolutely, the review will look at this. I believe in lifelong learning as being an opportunity for people to upskill, reskill, and to re-engage with education at any time in their life, and that can be done through part-time provision or through apprenticeship schemes or in-work provision through the trade union movement as well. Seren: I'm hoping to make an announcement soon about Seren. You're right, I did say back on 11 June, I think it was, when I made a statement, that we are hoping to bring together the strongest elements of Academi Seren and also the Reaching Wider programme. And you're absolutely right to say that they are two different programmes. Academi Seren provides the stretch for the most able and talented pupils and we want to keep that, obviously, because we need to stretch our most academically gifted young people. And it's not a matter of discouraging them from studying wherever they choose. I would just want to flip that on its head: what we want to do as a Welsh Government is to encourage them to stay in Wales and to support our universities here. But it's not about discouragement at all, it's about encouraging them to stay, which is slightly different to what you were possibly alluding to. The Reaching Wider programme is important as well, because it targets young people from disadvantaged communities, and you know and others know that the number of young people from disadvantaged communities going to universities is lower in Wales than in any of the other home nations. So, we want to encourage, through a cohesive programme, that to happen as well. So, I think that answers the main points, Lynne, and I'd be happy to have a conversation with you about any of these, moving forward. Diolch.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sam. Thank you. A number of points and I'll deal with them as you presented them. The first one, working with the university sector: since coming into post, I think I have had more meetings with the university sector than most sectors. I've met with all the vice-chancellors on more than one occasion. I've also had more than one meeting with the chairs of the universities as well, as well as Universities Wales as the umbrella body. In Scotland last week, in the international education conference that I attended, there was a stand where all the universities of Wales were present. I spoke to every one of them about the strengths they had and the offer they could give to students, not only in the United Kingdom but across the whole of the world. So, I'm in constant touch with every one of our university partners. In terms of the economy and developing skills, skills is the bedrock of growing the economy. If we want a thriving, prosperous economy, if we want to meet the ambitions of this Welsh Government to increase productivity as well, skills is at the heart of that. It's why we are conducting a skills audit at present. The skills audit will end, in terms of inviting people to present evidence, at the end of this month, and hopefully the report will be published around about March or April of next year. That will inform employers, universities, FE colleges and work-based learning providers about emerging sectors, where we think the priorities in terms of skills growth are going to be in the future. Because we know that sectors like AI, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and green energy are moving rapidly, so we need to recognise the skills pipeline that we need to meet those job opportunities coming down the line. In terms of that skills development, we are holding a skills summit on 8 October in the Swansea.com Stadium. We’re hoping to get between 150 and 170 representatives from universities, FE and, crucially, employers as well. As it happens, this afternoon I had a meeting with organisations representing the biggest employers in Wales. I had an opportunity to tell them about this skills audit. I told them that their role in developing the Welsh economy with the Welsh Government, with HE, with FE, with apprenticeship providers, is absolutely crucial, and they were on board with that message. On the final point you made, similar to Lynne, about curtailing choice, there's absolutely no intention to curtail choice. But it's incumbent on a Welsh Government to support our Welsh universities. What we want to do is to strengthen the offer that our Welsh universities are providing so that they can get more students from Wales and from the UK to come here to Wales to study and, potentially, to work as well. Diolch.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sera. Mae rôl busnesau bach yn gwbl hanfodol. Rwy'n credu bod rhyw 95 y cant o holl fusnesau Cymru yn fusnesau bach a chanolig. A digwydd bod, yn y cyfarfod ges i gyda chynrychiolwyr o gyflogwyr mwyaf Cymru yn gynharach y prynhawn yma, roedd hwn yn fater oedd wedi codi: sut y gall yr arolwg yma a'n prifysgolion a cholegau gefnogi SMEs drwy gynnig gwaith i raddedigion a phobl sydd wedi cymhwyso mewn ffordd wahanol i raddau. Yn glir i fi, mae, er enghraifft, y syniad o sefydlu corff datblygu fel y WDA newydd—y corff datblygu economaidd newydd yma—yn mynd i roi cefnogaeth i fusnesau bach a chanolig i dyfu, a phan maen nhw'n cael y cyfle i dyfu, maen nhw'n edrych i gyflogi mwy o bobl. Dyna lle mae'r cyfle wedyn i raddedigion i gael cyfle am waith. Ond y peth pwysig, dwi'n meddwl, yw gwneud y cysylltiad rhwng cyflogwyr a phrifysgolion yn arbennig, i wneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw'n deall beth yw'r angen o ran pa sgiliau sydd eisiau ar gyfer y dyfodol, a'u bod nhw'n deall wedyn ar lefel ranbarthol pa gyfleoedd sydd gan bobl i fynd i swyddi yn yr ardal arbennig yna.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Sera. The role of SMEs and small businesses is entirely crucial. I think around 95 per cent of all businesses in Wales are small and medium-sized enterprises. As it happens, in the meeting that I had with representatives from Wales's largest employers earlier this afternoon, this was an issue that was raised: how can this review, and how can our universities and colleges support SMEs by providing employment for graduates and those who have qualified in other ways too. What was clear to me was that, for example, the idea of establishing a development body such as a new WDA here in Wales will provide support for SMEs to grow, and when they have that opportunity to grow, they will look to employ more people. That's where the opportunity arises for graduates to access work. But I think the important thing is to make that link between employers and universities in particular to ensure that they understand what the needs are in terms of future skills, and that they then understand at a regional level what opportunities are available for people to access employment in that particular area.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
I couldn't agree more. We only have one of the eight universities as part of the Russell Group of universities, and I would want all of our universities to develop in terms of their offer and their standing in the United Kingdom and across the world. That is why the panel is being set up, to look at ways of making them more viable and sustainable, while also trying to support our students as best we can. We can't kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Without students, universities don't exist, so we have to get that balance right, which is why we're asking the panel to undertake this important work. But I absolutely understand where you're coming from. We need all of our universities to succeed and to improve as well.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
Thank you, Vikki. You've hit upon one of the most difficult decisions we will have to make as a Welsh Government. You will know the UK Government has indicated its intention to proceed with a freeze to the plan 2 repayment threshold at the current rate of £29,385 in England for the next three financial years. You, as a previous Government, decided to put that on hold, and it's a decision we now have to make. Again, it comes back to the balance between what we expect our students to repay in terms of loans and the burden on them over most of their working life, but also the finances that come from tuition fees as well. You will have heard a lot of noise in the press across the UK over recent days—the weekend in particular—putting pressure on the Prime Minister to rethink this freeze. I think it's wise for us in Wales to wait to see what the UK Government does first, because many of the regulations around UK Treasury involvement with our plan 2 tie in very closely indeed. I think we will wait to see what the UK Government does before we come to a final position.
5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education: Review of Higher Education en
Diolch. That's a really good question to finish off with. It relates to some of the answers I've given previously, but this Welsh Government is absolutely committed to widening participation. The fact that we have, as I mentioned earlier on, a lower number of our Welsh young people going to university than any other part of the United Kingdom is disappointing. We need to raise their ambitions, work closely with schools in those kinds of areas, to make university a destination for those young people. But I also want to make it known that going to university isn't the only pathway available to our young people. There is a degree apprenticeship scheme that we are happy to support—and I would like to see more young people going along that pathway—but FE colleges, work-based learning, all of that, give different opportunities and options to our young people. I want to get away from the traditional 'work or university' options; there are so many other options as well. I think it's incumbent on our teaching profession, our careers advice people as well, to give as much information about all the options available to our young people, because we want to upskill them and make them as ready as possible for the world of work. Diolch.
16
Open this sitting on the stage
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Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Prynhawn da, bawb. Heddiw, byddaf i'n nodi blaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth hon ar gyfer sgiliau ac addysg drydyddol. Mae ein sector addysg drydyddol yn cefnogi pobl ifanc sy'n cymryd eu camau cyntaf ar ôl addysg orfodol, oedolion sy'n dychwelyd i ddysgu, gweithwyr sy'n ceisio gwella eu sgiliau neu ddysgu sgiliau newydd, a chymunedau sy'n ceisio hyder, gwytnwch a ffyniant cymdeithasol. Mae’r sector hefyd yn cefnogi ein heconomi drwy ddatblygu'r wybodaeth, y sgiliau a'r capasiti ymchwil sydd eu hangen ar Gymru i gefnogi ein busnesau a'n diwydiant, ac adeiladu, hefyd, ar gyfer y dyfodol. Dwi wedi ymrwymo i weithio'n agos gyda Gweinidog y Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg i gyflawni gweledigaeth gyffredin o un system addysg a sgiliau i Gymru, gyda darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg wrth wraidd y weledigaeth hon. A dwi wedi gweld drosof fi fy hun, trwy fy mhrofiad o addysgu oedolion mewn prifysgolion yng Nghymru, yr effaith y gall y sector trydyddol ei chael ar newid bywydau pobl. Dwi am i ddysgwyr symud ymlaen drwy'r system yn hyderus, gyda llwybrau datblygu clir, gweladwy a chyfrwng Cymraeg. Dylai llwybrau academaidd, galwedigaethol a seiliedig ar waith gael eu deall fel rhannau ategol o daith pob dysgwr, sy'n cyd-fynd ag anghenion Cymru heddiw a'n huchelgeisiau ar gyfer yfory.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd, and good afternoon, everyone. Today, I will be setting out this Government's priorities for skills and tertiary education. Our tertiary education sector supports young people taking their first steps after compulsory education, adults returning to learning, workers seeking to upskill or re-skill, and communities seeking confidence, resilience and social prosperity. The sector also supports our economy by developing the knowledge, skills and research capacity that Wales needs to support our businesses and industry, and to build, also, for the future. I am committed to working closely with the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language to deliver a shared vision of one education and skills system for Wales, with Welsh-medium provision at the core of this vision. And I have seen first-hand, through my experience of teaching adults at Welsh universities, the impact the tertiary sector can have on people’s lives. I want learners to progress through the system with confidence, with clear, visible and Welsh-medium development pathways. Academic, vocational and work-based routes should be understood as complementary parts of each learner’s journey, aligned with the needs of Wales today and the ambitions we have for tomorrow.
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Our future economic success depends on developing a highly skilled workforce. I will work closely with the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy to ensure that the skills system supports our wider economic ambitions. A comprehensive national skills audit is currently under way. It will bring together evidence, analyse available data and gather views from employers, industry representatives, providers and other stakeholders. Its purpose is to provide a clear, cross-Government view of current and future workforce needs across Wales, including where shortages exist, where demand is likely to grow, and how the system can respond for learners, employers and the economy. The findings will help us target investment more effectively and align education, employment and training pathways with Wales’s priorities. Early findings will inform the future skills summit this autumn, bringing together business, the tertiary sector, training providers and other stakeholders to develop a shared vision and strategic direction for the future skills system and its funding. We will take an employer-led approach to identifying skills needs and we'll work together with business and industry to co-design solutions that meet key sector needs. Our manifesto also commits to developing a national strategy for skills and vocational education. This will draw on evidence from the skills summit and the skills audit, supporting learners in a changing labour market, strengthening economic growth and promoting genuine parity between vocational and academic pathways. It will also build on the priorities set out in the strategic direction for vocational education and training. On higher education, we are aware of the challenges that universities face, including rising costs and constrained income. That is why one of our first 100-day commitments is to take forward a review of higher education funding, and we will publish the terms of reference for that review in the summer. I am grateful for the responses to the recent call for submissions on the future of tertiary education in Wales. These views are informing our thinking. I will publish a summary report of those responses, followed by a fuller report in the autumn, to support transparent, evidence-led policy development. I am also examining options for reforming Seren, so that it has a stronger focus on addressing participation gaps, on supporting learners from Wales’s most disadvantaged communities and strengthening pathways so that learners can reach their full potential. I will issue a written statement in due course setting out our next steps.
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Mae Cymru wastad wedi bod yn genedl sydd yn edrych y tu hwnt i’w ffiniau, ac rŷn ni'n benderfynol o fanteisio i'r eithaf ar gyfleoedd i bobl ifanc o Gymru i fyw, astudio a gweithio yn Ewrop. Rŷn ni'n gweithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i sicrhau bod manteision ailymuno ag Erasmus yn cael eu gwireddu, ac yn ystyried opsiynau ar gyfer Taith hefyd yn y dyfodol. Dwi am bwysleisio pwysigrwydd darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg a dwyieithog ar draws y system drydyddol. Dylai dysgwyr gael y cyfle i ddatblygu, cynnal a defnyddio'u sgiliau Cymraeg ar bob cam. Rŷn ni'n gweithio, wrth gwrs, gyda Medr, y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, darparwyr a chyflogwyr i ehangu'r ddarpariaeth prentisiaethau cyfrwng Cymraeg a dwyieithog, cryfhau llwybrau gyrfa a chynyddu darpariaeth ddwyieithog a meithrin capasiti hefyd fel y gall mwy o bobl ifanc sy'n ymuno â’r gweithle allu gweithio'n ddwyieithog a darparu gwasanaethau allweddol yn y Gymraeg. Mae mwy i'w wneud, ond mae'r cyfeiriad yn glir: rhaid i ddarpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg a dwyieithog gael ei hymgorffori yn nyfodol addysg a sgiliau trydyddol, nid ei thrin fel ychwanegiad. Bydd Medr yn ymgynghori ar gynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer y Gymraeg yn yr hydref, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen at ymgysylltu â Medr a'r sector wrth inni weithio tuag at ein nodau ar gyfer y Gymraeg.
Official English translation
Wales has always been an outward-looking nation, and we are determined to maximise opportunities for young people in Wales to live, study and work in Europe. We are working closely with the UK Government to ensure that the benefits of rejoining Erasmus are realised, and we are considering future options for Taith. I want to emphasise the importance of Welsh-medium and bilingual provision across the tertiary system. Learners should have the opportunity to develop, maintain and use their Welsh language skills at every stage. We work, of course, with Medr, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, providers and employers to expand Welsh-medium and bilingual apprenticeship provision, to strengthen career pathways and increase bilingual delivery and to build capacity as well so that more young people who enter the workplace are able to work bilingually and provide key services through the medium of Welsh. There is more to do, but the direction is clear: Welsh-medium and bilingual provision must be built into the future of tertiary education and skills, not treated as an add-on. Medr will consult on a national plan for the Welsh language in the autumn, and I look forward to engaging with Medr and the sector as we work towards our Welsh language goals.
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I recognise the vital role that FE colleges and school sixth forms play in transforming learners’ lives and supporting our economy. I am aware of the pressures they face. I've already met stakeholders and will continue to work with the sector to address these challenges. One of my core aims is to encourage collaboration between schools and colleges to provide as broad a range of options for young people as possible. Medr are looking now at funding principles to encourage greater collaboration between schools and colleges in that particular post-16 sector. Colleges also play an important role in supporting learners with additional learning needs to develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to thrive as individuals. Over the coming months, I will work with stakeholders to ensure all learners are supported to achieve their goals. My message to the sector is this: I want to work with you, listen and engage openly and build a shared understanding of the challenges and a shared commitment to solutions. I would expect collaboration, accountability and a focus on learners. In return, I will seek to provide clarity, honesty and a willingness to work across Government. Our ambition should be a tertiary education and skills system that is accessible, coherent and excellent; one that supports people throughout their lives and contributes to economic prosperity and social cohesion. That is the work I am committed to taking forward. I look forward to working with Members, ministerial colleagues, learners and the whole sector to deliver it.
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Yn fyr, Ddirprwy Lywydd, wrth gloi, ein nod yw adeiladu system addysg drydyddol a sgiliau gydol oes sy'n gweithio i ddysgwyr, cymunedau a'r economi, a bydd hyn yn cael ei gyflawni mewn cydweithrediad llawn â'r sector. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
In short, Dirprwy Lywydd, in closing, our goal is to build a lifelong tertiary education and skills system that works for learners, communities and the economy, and this will be delivered in collaboration with the sector. Thank you.
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Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiynau.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for the questions.
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There are a number of points and they're really valid, and I value the contribution that you've made, and if I can just take them one at a time. When we start in Government, we look at what skills audits have taken place in recent years. The last skills audit took place in 2012. That is 14 years ago, so we don't really know now what the skills needs of Wales are without going out to actually do this exercise and understand what the future needs skills of Wales are. So, that is why we are currently undertaking that skills audit. The main findings of that audit will be made clear in the skills summit that we'll be holding in October. Now, that skills summit will bring together, as I mentioned in the statement, not only FE and training providers, but will also bring together businesses and industry, and I want them to co-design the next steps with us as a Government, because they understand the sector better than us. So, that is an approach that I want to take. Let's understand where the future growth sectors are. And you mentioned Wylfa—absolutely, and I can assure the Member that I've spoken to the chief executive of Coleg Llandrillo Menai, and I can reassure you that they've been looking at the challenges of Wylfa for a number of years and they have a pipeline of young people already on courses to fill those jobs on Ynys Môn. So, that is an example of the kind of approach we want to take. If we look at other potential developments for the future, there's the green energy sector, there's skilled manufacturing, for example. So, all of those we know are the skills for the future we need, but also the audit might show others as well. So, we will tailor our strategy then based on evidence. And I just want to finish just by saying this in terms of that particular aspect of your question: the summit will be focused on implementation, because, when we bring all of those sectors together, they with us will help shape direction and inform the next steps that we need to take. Because I absolutely agree with you, and I work closely with the Minister for enterprise on this, that we want to achieve a growing economy in Wales—higher paid jobs, better productivity levels, higher gross value added levels as well. That is all of our ambition, and skills play a vital role in that.
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Well, diolch, Lynne. There's a lot there, and—
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No, we were sparring partners, but we always got on very well as well because we shared many of the values around education and tertiary education in particular. I'll start off with where you started, about having a connected system—absolutely agree, which is why in my statement I emphasised the need for schools and colleges to work closer together. That also includes training providers in apprenticeships as well. You mentioned the pressures on FE, in particular the participation pressures. Now, on one level it's good to see an increased number of enrolments. The flip side of that, of course, is that we are seeing fewer young people going on to sixth form. We're also seeing those young people leaving school, going into FE colleges, entering at lower level qualifications. Now, that begs another question, and that's for another day, but it is symbolic of something that is going on that we need to address. And I recognise that FE colleges are facing significant increases and, as a result, funding pressures. You will know that Medr has given £6.25 million extra in this financial year to support FE colleges, and you will, of course, know that Medr are monitoring the position closely. And obviously, when enrolments become clearer in September and are confirmed in November, we will consider providing additional funding should it be available as part of our wider consideration of the overall Government budget position. But we fully understand the pressures and I would, obviously, want to support the FE sector in what is a success story in one way. The part-time learners—absolutely agree with you; one of the success stories we've seen in recent years is the increased number of learners of all ages going back into learning, in particular part-time courses, and the Open University have been excellent in the work that they do. So, I will, absolutely, want that to continue. I want now to turn to the matter you raised around the qualifications. So, for those who don't know, the qualifications system, post-16, is changing in England, and it will have consequences for Wales. They are bringing in a V-level and a T-level set of qualifications. And it means that, over the next couple of years, some of the awarding bodies that are familiar to all of us in that post-16 sector will be defunded by UK Government. Now, the obligations of that—they are quite clear—are that we need to prepare for that. And as it happens, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language and I met with Qualifications Wales this morning, and we had another meeting with them about a month ago. So, they are keeping us abreast of what is happening, and we will be given a set of options in the autumn about the way forward that we, as a Government, will have to consider. So, I will come back with more information around the qualifications space later on. Mental health support—I agree, and I know you've been a great champion in this Senedd for mental health support across the board, but you mentioned higher education where young people are away from home. And I would absolutely support that. Just in passing, the need for mental health support is so acute because the not in education, employment or training numbers since COVID, those who are economically inactive, have gone up from 50 per cent in the 16 to 25 age group to nearly 70 per cent. Now, that shows that mental health issues, anxiety issues, are really a part of the struggle these young people are facing. So, I absolutely support the mental health issue. And just very quickly, junior apprenticeships—I'm a big supporter, as you know. What I want to see now is that the junior apprenticeship scheme is rolled out across Wales to provide that equity of provision in every corner of our country. And finally, Seren, if I can. We are looking at repurposing Seren. You've heard me in this Chamber ask particular questions about the way that the previous Government, in my opinion, used money to actively encourage young people to leave Wales to the elite universities and the Russell Group universities in England. I want to support Welsh universities, and I want to support young people and encourage as many of them to come to Welsh universities, to stay in Wales, to get jobs in Wales, to use the talent that they have to grow our economy and improve public services in Wales. So we will, again in the autumn, come back with more information around Seren, but, absolutely, it won't be chucking the baby out with the bathwater. We want to keep the best parts of Seren because of their experience and they've done a lot of great work, especially for those more able and talented young people. So we want to keep those aspects, but we will be changing the focus, particularly to support young people from disadvantaged communities.
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Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sam. Again, a number of really interesting points, and I agree with the context of many of the questions you raise. I'll start off with the skills shortages. I've met with a number of businesses in Sir Gaerfyrddin, but also elsewhere as well, and they want apprenticeships, they want to upskill their staff. But we need to build any strategy for the future on hard evidence and data, which is why this skills audit is really, really important. And I expect the learning and work partners to produce a report for us in March/April of next year, but some of the headline findings will be available for that skills summit in October. The audit will bring together existing evidence, analyse available data, and gather views from industry and business representatives, employers and other key stakeholders, to provide a clear cross-Government view of the future workforce needs of Wales. And I think we absolutely need to do that before we move forward to the next stage. Of course, in the meantime, we will continue to support apprenticeships, we will continue to support skills development. But I'm hoping that by March of next year, that work will be built on solid data and evidence. Apprenticeships: I'm a huge supporter of apprenticeships, and I want Careers Wales, for example, to make it clear to young people in school that a traditional route isn't confining them in any way, because apprenticeships offer another option that they may want to consider as a pathway into work. We haven't set a target for apprenticeships, but I'm open-minded about that. Let's see what the skills audit shows first. Because we need future targets to be informed by robust evidence—and I'm sure you would agree with me on that—and also on engagement with employers, and I'm sure you would agree with me that that is important as well, because employers have a crucial role to play. Universities and job losses: it's obviously hugely disappointing to have seen these job losses over recent years. My fear is that we will see more as we move forward, because some of our universities are facing serious financial challenges. But I want the universities as institutions, and I, certainly, as a Deputy Minister, want some reassurance from them that they will work closely with unions, as I want to do in the spirit of social partnership, to mitigate as best as we can the devastating job losses that we have already seen, and might see more of, moving forward. You mentioned mergers; I have never mentioned the word 'merger'. What I have said, and you will see, when the terms of reference will be published over the coming weeks, is that I am asking the independent panel to consider the future financial sustainability, operational sustainability and organisational sustainability of our university sector. It is for the panel to come up with recommendations around what they think is the most sustainable future for that sector, and I will give those recommendations my full consideration. Your final point, and my final answer to you is: adult education needs to be flexible in order to meet the needs of those people, and I'm fully supportive of that methodology in terms of provision for adults.
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Thank you, Kiera. A few of us in the Chamber were members of the sixth Senedd's education committee, and one of the inquiries we undertook was to look at post-16 pathways. One of the clear messages that came out of that inquiry was that we need to provide young people at a much earlier age with advice and information around career pathways—not to allow them just to follow traditional routes, but to open their minds about other potential avenues. The junior apprenticeship scheme and apprenticeship schemes in general are some of those alternative pathways that can lead to good jobs and well-paid jobs in Wales. But just one point on junior apprenticeships: they are extremely important as an intervention pathway to support those at risk of becoming NEETs—those who are disengaged from education, those that are vulnerable young people. So, there is an absolutely vital role for junior apprenticeships to play in that space as well.
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Gaf i ddiolch i chi, i ddechrau, am ofyn y cwestiwn yn y Gymraeg? Mae hi mor hyfryd clywed mwy o bobl yn y Siambr hon yn defnyddio'r iaith. A dwi efallai am fanteisio, os caf i, Ddirprwy Lywydd, i annog unrhyw un, beth bynnag yw lefel eich Cymraeg, i ddefnyddio beth bynnag o Gymraeg sydd gyda chi, achos mi fyddwn ni i gyd yn eich cefnogi chi ac yn eich croesawu chi i wneud hynny. Felly, diolch o galon i chi am osod esiampl i ni y prynhawn yma. Rydw i wedi ateb y cwestiwn i raddau yn barod, ynglŷn â'r cynnydd o ran lefelau'r bobl ifanc sy'n mynd i golegau addysg bellach. Rŷn ni'n cadw llygad ar y sefyllfa. Mae Medr yn ymwybodol, fel ni, efallai y bydd mwy o bwysau eto ym mis Medi yn dod. Felly, ar y pryd hynny, bydd yn rhaid i fi ac, o bosibl, y Gweinidog dros Gyllid gael sgwrs i weld faint rŷn ni'n gallu ymestyn cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru a chyllideb Medr i gefnogi'r cynnydd sydd yn yr arfaeth. Fe wnaethoch chi ofyn hefyd am gefnogaeth i bobl sy'n dysgu Cymraeg ac i bobl i ddefnyddio'r iaith Gymraeg. Wel, fel y byddech chi'n ei ddisgwyl, mae hynny'n ganolog i'r gwaith rydw i'n ei wneud, a phob Gweinidog arall yn y Llywodraeth. Dyna pam rydw i'n awyddus iawn i weld cymaint o'n dysgwyr ni yn gwneud rhan neu eu cyrsiau cyfan trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, achos eu bod nhw'n sgiliau pwysig ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Official English translation
May I thank you, first of all, for asking the question in Welsh? It's great to hear more people in this Chamber using the Welsh language. And perhaps I'd like to take advantage, Dirprwy Lywydd, if I may, to encourage anyone, whatever level of Welsh you have, to use the Welsh that you do have, because we will all support you and welcome you to do so. So, a heartfelt thanks to you for setting an example this afternoon. I have answered the question to an extent already, in terms of the increase in the levels of young people who attend FE colleges. We are keeping an eye on the situation. Medr is aware, as are we, that perhaps there will be more pressure again in September. So, at that time, I and, possibly, the Minister for Finance will have to have a conversation about how much we can extend the Welsh Government budget and Medr's budget to support the increase in the pipeline. You also asked about support for people who are learning Welsh and for people to use the language. Well, as you would expect, that is central to the work that I am doing, and every other Minister in the Government. That's why I'm very keen to see so many of our learners doing a part or all of their courses through the medium of Welsh, because they're important skills for the future.
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Diolch am y cwestiynau.
Official English translation
Thank you for the questions.
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Just to answer your central point, both the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language and I have had numerous meetings. As you can imagine, all kinds of stakeholders have wanted to meet us and everybody wanted to meet us in that first week. Obviously, that was impossible due to diary pressures and also the availability of other stakeholders. We have met Universities Wales and we have met ColegauCymru, which included the chief executive of Coleg y Cymoedd, and we fully understand the pressures on the FE sector. You'll be glad to know that the Minister and I are meeting UCU and Unison the week after next—I think it's the last week of July—and I met one of the officials of UCU this afternoon. I had a brief discussion with him and I reassured him that it was purely coincidental that we are meeting the unions after the universities and colleges. It is no reflection on any priority of one over the other. It is just a matter of the timetabling and the diary pressures. But I'm looking forward immensely to that meeting, because I want to engage on a regular basis with the unions.
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Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sera. Yn fyr iawn, mae'n rhaid i ni ddod â'r gystadleuaeth rhwng ysgolion a cholegau i ben. Mae angen i ni weld mwy o gydweithio rhyngddyn nhw er mwyn sicrhau bod y ddarpariaeth a'r opsiynau gorau posibl ar gael iddyn nhw. Mae yna enghreifftiau o arfer da. Mae angen gwella hynny. Mae angen i ni hefyd gadw llygad ar sut allwn ni wella'r cydweithio o safbwynt darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg hefyd. Dwi wedi rhoi'r sialens yma i golegau addysg bellach Cymru. Mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw gynyddu eu darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg er mwyn sicrhau bod mwy o ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg yn gallu cydweithio gyda nhw i gynnig darpariaeth alwedigaethol a darpariaeth fwy academaidd. Dwi’n hynod o falch i glywed am y cydweithio rhwng ysgol Cwm Rhondda a Choleg y Cymoedd, a llwyddiant—Jeni?
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Sera. Very briefly, we must bring the competition between schools and colleges to an end. We need to see more collaboration between them in order to ensure that the provision and the best possible options are available. There are examples of good practice. We need to improve that. We also need to keep a close eye on how we can improve collaboration in terms of Welsh-medium provision too. I have posed this challenge to Wales's FE colleges. They have to increase their Welsh-medium provision in order to ensure that more Welsh-medium schools can work with them in order to offer the vocational provision and the more academic provision. I'm extremely pleased to hear about the work between Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda and Coleg y Cymoedd, and the success of—Jeni?
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A llwyddiant Gwenni—llongyfarchiadau mawr iddi hi fel enghraifft o beth sy'n gallu digwydd pan mae colegau ac ysgolion yn dod at ei gilydd i gydweithio.
Official English translation
Many congratulations to Gwenni. She's an exemplar in terms of what can happen when colleges and schools come together to work together.
11
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language cy
Diolch, Sam, am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for that question, Sam.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
I fully recognise that FE colleges have seen significant increases in learner numbers in recent years. And I also recognise that they're experiencing funding challenges and pressures due to these increases, and we also forecast further increases in the 2026-27 academic year. Now, Medr has already allocated an additional investment of £6.25 million in the 2026-27 financial year, and provided flexibility between funding streams to recognise increased participation numbers in tertiary education within FE. And Medr, as you would expect, is monitoring the position closely, and we will consider providing additional funding, should it be available, as part of our wider consideration of the overall Government budget position. The situation will become clearer, of course, in September, but certainly by November, when enrolment numbers are confirmed. We will decide at that time what course of action we will take as a Government.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Well, we are keen to make sure that as many learners get the opportunity to follow their ambitions. We know, as I've mentioned already, that FE colleges are facing pressures. I did say that we will be keeping a keen eye on developments. We won't know the exact situation until September, but certainly by November. I'm in regular talks and discussions with Medr. We know the challenge coming down the line. We are preparing contingency plans as we speak. We want to support as many learners into FE colleges, into apprenticeships, and into higher education as well. It is important that we provide information to young people about the different learning pathways that are available to them, and to support them as best we can. I can't pre-empt at the moment what those pressures will be in September, but we are preparing plans for any eventualities.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn. Rydyn ni'n bwrw ymlaen i gomisiynu adolygiad eang o gyllid addysg uwch o fewn 100 diwrnod cyntaf y Llywodraeth, gyda'r nod o sicrhau fod y system yn gynaliadwy yn ariannol er budd darpar fyfyrwyr yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda a dros Gymru gyfan.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for the question. We are taking forward commissioning a broad review of high education funding within the first 100 days of Government, with the aim of ensuring that the system is financially sustainable for the benefit of prospective students in Afan Ogwr Rhondda and the country as a whole.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Diolch. Higher education is central to Wales's social and economic future, supporting skills, research, innovation and regional growth. Our eight universities are also anchor institutions in their regions, employing thousands of people. The University of South Wales in your region employs about 2,850 people, which is a sizeable employer. We also recognise the system is under significant strain with rising costs and constrained income, which is why we believe a comprehensive review of the funding and organisation of universities in Wales is required for them to be ready to face the challenges of the next decade and beyond. But we also recognise the need to look at the sustainability of the student finance system and how it works for students, graduates and the public purse. You talked about universities broadening their offer. As you know, they are autonomous institutions and they decide alone their academic portfolios, but I know Medr has published recently an analysis of provision across our universities, and I will continue to work with them and universities to ensure they're delivering for our economy and social prosperity. You also mentioned the unions. I'm looking forward to meeting the unions in the next couple of weeks, and I will endeavour to have a close relationship with them in the spirit of social partnership. On your final point, about closing the participation gap, which is absolutely crucial, we've made it clear in our manifesto that we want to increase the numbers of Welsh-domiciled students attending higher education in Wales, particularly from more disadvantaged communities, and I'm sure both of us will support that aim.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Thank you. You raise a really important point, and we know that graduate recruitment into businesses and into work has been challenging. We've seen a flatlining economy. We've seen SMEs in particular finding it difficult to take apprenticeships on, and also recruit graduates as well, because they face the costs, and the increased bills as well that they have to face, and national insurance increases as well. So, there have been many, many challenges around the economy in Wales and across the UK. But I am having regular conversations with the Minister for enterprise because I do believe that skills and apprenticeships, tertiary education, play an important role in upskilling our young people, fulfilling their ambitions and making them better placed for the place of work. So, what we need to do is to improve economic growth in Wales so that we can not only offer opportunities here in Wales, but also track those who've left Wales, who want to return to Wales to seek employment here.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Through Medr, we are strengthening apprenticeship delivery, with changes from August 2027 to improve flexibility, respond to employer demand and widen access, helping to create more opportunities across Wales. This is supported by a national skills audit and future skills summit to inform future priorities and ensure provision reflects employer needs.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Welsh Government is currently investing £151 million in apprenticeships in the current financial year to support delivery across Wales, because we believe that apprenticeships are a cornerstone of Wales's post-16 skills system and a key policy, as you mentioned, for economic growth, fair work and productivity. They provide high-quality routes into employment, supporting people of all ages and helping employers develop the workforce they need. However—and this relates to the point you make—we need to adapt the current apprenticeship offer to reflect changing economic needs, and the needs of businesses in particular, which means that a new apprenticeship programme from August 2027 will deliver a more flexible and responsive model for employers and delivery partners, shaped by extensive engagement, led by Medr. Now, this reform should be seen as part of a wider drive to create clearer pathways, improve parity of esteem with academic routes and strengthen alignment between skills and economic growth. Alongside this, we are undertaking a national skills audit, which will ensure that our approach is grounded in robust evidence of workplace needs so that we can tailor our apprenticeships delivery to the growth sectors of the future. We will also be organising a future skills summit in the autumn, and this relates to the Member's question earlier on, about bringing employers and partners together to help shape future delivery and identify the opportunities for early action. And I will be saying more about the way that reform is going to take form and also the skills audit and the skills summit in an oral statement in the next couple of weeks.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
We are committed to apprenticeships. As I mentioned earlier on, £151 million is already invested in programmes to support young people into work and into apprenticeships and FE as well. Now, it is worrying—you mentioned NEETs—that we have about 13.7 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds in Wales currently NEET, and I welcomed the publication of the Alan Milburn report recently. We recognise the growing risk of young people becoming disengaged from education, employment or training, alongside the pressures facing further education providers. So, this is something I'm taking seriously, something I'm passionate about. And when Natasha and I and others were members of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, we looked at post-16 pathways, and one of the important points that came out of that inquiry that we did was that we need to get messages in earlier to young people about the different options available to them. Apprenticeships are one; FE and HE as well. So, in the round, we are looking at all of this. It's still early days and, obviously, I will be having talks with the Minister for finance to see what else we can invest in the system so that we support our young people better moving forward.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Thank you for the question. I'm a big fan of junior apprenticeships. When I was education spokesperson in opposition, I fully supported the last Government's initiative around junior apprenticeships, and I'd like to see junior apprenticeships rolled out across the whole of Wales. It started as a pilot and then it moved on to other colleges, but I think it should be a universal provision. It targets the 14 to 16 age group, which is the most vulnerable, and we know that many of them are at risk of disengagement. So, by offering them opportunities to have some work experience plus mentoring and support from FE colleges and schools, we can potentially take them from the brink of becoming NEET to becoming learners that are well supported and motivated, so that we can ensure that they realise their potential. Because every young person has the potential to become something far more important than some of their own cultural and social backgrounds have led them to believe. We must invest in them to make sure that they do achieve those ambitions, and junior apprenticeships are certainly one way forward to doing that.
Roll-call divisions, by sitting day
70 recorded votes. Official division result.
- For
- 36
- Against
- 31
- Abstain
- 3
- Did not vote
- 0
Counted by Siambr: a sum of the official division rows.
For Against Abstain Unlit desk: did not vote
3 divisions
Members' Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): An NHS first Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Prostate cancer strategy
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- Motion For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport
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- Motion Against Agreed
3 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Local referendums on council tax rises
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
6 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Regional rugby
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan a Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
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- Motion Abstain Agreed
1 division
Debate: Fiscal Reform
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- Motion For Agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Default 20 mph speed limit
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector
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- Motion Against Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom
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- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Further education
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- Motion Against Agreed
10 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Grooming gangs
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board health visitor pay dispute
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
5 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Deposit-return scheme
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Bovine TB
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- Motion For Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Young people and employment
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- Motion For Agreed
2 divisions
Legislative Consent Motion: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services
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- Motion Abstain Agreed
Reform UK Debate: The tourism sector
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
4 divisions
Debate: Fair Funding
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Against Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Funding for additional learning needs in the first Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion Against Agreed
10 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Hospital services and hospital closures
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Against Agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Government international spending
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists
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- Motion For Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: School support staff negotiating body
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- Motion Abstain Agreed