Written question WQ88368

Maintained school sixth forms and further education colleges are required to offer a range of academic and vocational courses to learners aged 16-19 undertaking further education and training as part of a statutory curriculum offer. Providers and local authorities will consider a number of factors including the needs of learners and employers, and course demand and viability. Although our approach to planning post-16 learning has actively encouraged collaboration to widen the range of choice for learners and reduce duplication, further work is needed in this area. The new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER), which will be operational from April 2024, will have a role in forming a local curriculum offer and will be well placed to improve opportunities for learners to study a range of subjects and courses, ensuring a more coherent and strategic approach to curriculum design and delivery.

Promoting collaboration across the tertiary education and research sector is one of several strategic duties that will be placed on CTER. The aim is to initiate greater collaboration between schools, and between schools and colleges, to ensure the curriculum offer for learners aged 16-19 is adequately planned, sustainable and meet the needs and entitlements of the learner. Collaboration in this area will also support measures for partnership working between schools and colleges to support learning and teaching, particularly in subjects where the numbers of both learners and teachers may be small.

To support the reforms and better align our support for pre-16 learners transitioning to post-16 further education and training we are reviewing the current local curriculum offer for learners aged 16-19 and the legislative requirements and guidance which underpin it.

I have also commissioned a review of vocational qualifications in Wales to consider the steps necessary to significantly expand the range of made-in-Wales vocational qualifications to fit the needs of learners and the economy in Wales. I expect to receive the final report from the review shortly. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Sian Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru designated member, as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.