Written question WQ98140
- Asked by
- Luke FletcherPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 4 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government or Medr currently gathering expressions of interest from learners and employers to inform future skills and apprenticeship policy at higher levels?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership
The Welsh Government works closely with Medr to ensure that apprenticeship provision, including at higher levels, reflects skills priorities and the needs of learners, employers and the wider Welsh economy.
Medr is currently developing the new apprenticeship programme due to commence from August 2027 and undertook a consultation exercise during September and October with employers, industry bodies and learning providers to help shape a future‑focused, inclusive and responsive programme.
Medr has also published a programme of work to review apprenticeship frameworks, which are available across 23 sectors with multiple occupational pathways. This review includes engagement with employers, industry bodies and key stakeholders. Employers and learners may contact Medr at any time to express an interest in the development of new apprenticeship pathways or frameworks, which are considered against evidence of economic need, learner demand and provider capacity.
In addition, employers can engage through Business Wales, which provides advice and support on recruiting apprentices and working with approved training providers, while Careers Wales supports learners through information, advice and guidance on apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship opportunities, helping to inform learner demand and future skills priorities.