Apprenticeship Week takes place from 5 to 11 February 2024, providing an opportunity to celebrate and promote the value of apprenticeships as a pathway into work or a new career, with many associated benefits for communities, employers and the Welsh economy.
As we celebrate Apprenticeship Week Wales, ColegauCymru and NTfW are pleased to launch a new Senedd Cross Party Group on Apprenticeships. The group will be co-chaired by Luke Fletcher MS and Huw Irranca-Davies MS, and will act to tackle the issues facing apprenticeships in Wales for current and future generations.
The backdrop to this Apprenticeship Week is the acutely challenging funding environment, following proposals set out in the Welsh Government draft budget. Apprenticeships are a fundamental part of Wales’ economic recovery – and support Wales’ learners, employers, and communities. A strong apprenticeships programme is critical to a stronger, greener and fairer Wales.
ColegauCymru Chief Executive, David Hagendyk, said,
“This new Cross-Party Group will be a vital forum to continue the important conversation on apprenticeships and to support Welsh Government thinking going forward. As Wales navigates turbulent economic times, colleges are the skills engine needed to drive our economic recovery, and it is critical that future inward investment is not damaged. As well as calling on Welsh Government to reverse the catastrophic decision to cut their flagship programme, we want to work with them and the new Tertiary Commission to improve outcomes for learners and employers.”
NTfW Strategic Director, Lisa Mytton, added,
“The launch of the new Senedd Cross Party-Group on Apprenticeships comes at a pivotal time for the Welsh economy. The NTfW will take this opportunity to relay the deep concern of work-based learning providers and employers about the Welsh Government’s proposed unprecedented cuts to the apprenticeships budget.
All age apprenticeships are the cornerstone of the Welsh economy and are vital if the Welsh Government is to achieve its stated mission to building a world class, skilled workforce”.
Further Information
Welsh Government | Business Wales
Apprenticeship Week 2024
Jeff Protheroe, Strategic Advisor, Work-based Learning and Employability
Jeff.Protheroe@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
