A series of consultation events across Wales took place last month in response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the Structure for Welsh Apprenticeship Frameworks.
The consultation seeks views on the structure of Welsh Apprenticeship Frameworks and supporting pathways.
Welsh Government have identified developing skills as one of their key priorities and they are re-shaping the skills landscape to help younger and older learners alike to find opportunities to meet the challenges of the changing economy.
Aligning apprenticeships with the needs of the Welsh economy is at the centre of their skills policy, and they are building their skills system to respond more effectively to industry changes.
The priorities for apprenticeships are:
Investing in higher level skills, particularly in STEM and technical areas;
Driving inclusivity, equality and equity of opportunity;
Responding to current and projected skills gaps; and
Delivering apprenticeships through the medium of Welsh and/or bilingually.
As a membership body it was important that NTfW consulted with their members and employers in order to draft a response to the consultation. Three regional events were held in Llandrindod Wells, Cardiff and Llandudno to give members and their employers the opportunity to discuss the questions raised.
NTfW Director of Operations Jeff Protheroe said “These three consultation events have been hugely beneficial in developing an evidence base for our response to this hugely important consultation. It has been great to see our members and a wide range of employers work closely together to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the Apprenticeships Programme in Wales. Given the success of these events, it is clear that there is a future role for NTfW, in bringing employers closer to the discussion around apprenticeships and skills policy in Wales.”
In the New Year NTfW will be organising more regional events to give their members and employers the opportunity to keep up to date with what is happening in the world of work-based learning and the opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues.
