February 2020
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Delegates at this seminar will discuss the upcoming reforms to Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) in Wales - affecting:
- Further and higher education institutions;
- Work-based learning and training providers; and
- Sixth-forms.
It comes at a time of considerable change for PCET, as the Welsh Government establishes a new authority to oversee the sector - the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER).
Delegates will examine the funding of the new body, issues around the inclusion of sixth forms in its remit, and priorities for scrutinising designated providers to ensure quality.
We also expect discussion on the recommendations made by the Children, Young People and Education Committee, in its recently published post-legislative scrutiny of the Higher Education Act 2015 which is intended to inform discussion of new legislation expected in 2020.
Delegates will discuss how to ensure that the new Bill can incentivise providers to embrace national priorities and include them in their own national strategies. They will also look at how to develop a better conception of what student interests are, and how the Bill can safeguard them.
They will also consider the structure and priorities for the Commission in the context of wider Welsh Government aims, including:
- Widening access to PCET education;
- Enhancing the economic impact of post-compulsory education and training; and
- The promotion of Welsh language and culture.
Speakers and chair
We are pleased to include keynote contributions from:
- Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education, Welsh Government;
- Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; and
- Jassa Scott, Strategic Director, Estyn.
Further confirmed speakers include: Professor Cara Aitchison, Cardiff Metropolitan University; Dr Stephen Beyer, National Centre for Mental Health, Cardiff University; Helen Burgum, Bishop Gore School; Dafydd Evans, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai; Dr Stephen Lord, St Albans RC High School; Kathryn Robson, Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales; Rob Simkins, NUS Wales; Lisa Thomas, Merthyr Tydfil College and Amanda Wilkinson, Universities Wales.
The chairs for this conference are: Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, former Minister for Education, former First Minister of Wales and former Leader of Welsh Labour Party, National Assembly for Wales and Councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and MonLife, Monmouthshire County Council.
The agenda
- Implementing the new Post-16 framework in Wales;
- Assessing priorities for the skills system in Wales;
- Shaping the new post-16 framework - access, integration of HE and FE provision, learner focus, and maximising the sector’s contribution to meeting skills needs;
- Quality assurance priorities, accountability, and funding for HE and FE; and
- Quality assurance delivery and accountability in post-compulsory education.
