Minister sets out plans to support further education sector

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has set out his vision for further education in Wales that puts supporting staff and learners at its heart.

Speaking at Coleg y Cymoedd last night (10^th March), the Minister set out actions to support the FE workforce over the next 12 months, including:

• A Professional Learning Plan for further education professionals;
• A fundamental review of Initial Teacher Education;
• A Knowledge Transfer Project to help bring in industry expertise to increase learners’ knowledge and learning experience in subjects such as digital, green skills, retrofit construction and engineering; and
• A recruitment campaign to raise awareness of careers with education and training providers.

The Minister announced a bespoke Professional Learning Plan for staff to progress their careers and professional lives which is being developed closely with the sector. A core package of Continuous Professional Development will be produced, with a focus on improving digital skills. The digital plan will be piloted before being rolled out from the summer onwards.

He also confirmed that a review will be undertaken of Initial Teacher Education, to determine the impact and effectiveness of current qualifications, and potential reforms to the existing offer, including incentives.  

A recruitment campaign will be launched to raise awareness of the careers available with education and training providers in Wales.  The aim is to entice new entrants, from recent graduates to experienced tradespeople or retired professionals, to consider working at a further education college.

Jeremy Miles said:

“The FE sector is crucial to creating the entrepreneurs and the skilled workforce of the future. A sector ensuring access to the right skills, at the right time, responding quickly and flexibly to labour market intelligence in a changing economy. 

“I also recognise how vitally important it is both for the development of the workforce and the resilience of the sector for us to support lecturers in their professional and career development.

“We want to raise the profile of the post-16 teaching profession and show people across the education sector how rewarding and beneficial a professional career in the further education can be. Over the course of the next 12 months, we will take forward four crucial pieces of work to support the profession.

 “I am excited about the opportunity we have in the years ahead and I look forward to working with the sector to make the most of it.”