ColegauCymru has today warmly welcomed the publication of a joint report on accelerating collaboration between colleges and universities across the four nations of the UK.
This valuable report published by the Independent Commission on the College of the Future and the Civic University Network explores the importance of relationships between further and higher education and provides pragmatic solutions to the challenges faced by post-compulsory education across the four nations.
The report seeks to build a more collaborative and cohesive approach across tertiary education and skills. Our colleges and universities are anchor institutions and share a unifying system that must be fit for the future, to support learning at all levels.
ColegauCymru Chief Executive Iestyn Davies said,
“This publication sets out a clear challenge and expectation to all institutions and individuals that work in further and higher education and echoes the call in our manifesto, Further Success: Policy Recommendations for the next Welsh Government. Institutions must now step up and outline how they will respond to the opportunities set out by the Welsh Government and contained in this report.”
Coleg Cambria Chief Executive Yana Williams added,
“The new Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill will affect all post-16 providers, further education and lifelong learning. Wales benefits from being incredibly collaborative. We must now work together to recognise our different strengths and weaknesses, and to encourage good behaviour - not simply hitting targets. The new Bill will help us to ensure that learners can access the right courses for them and to navigate their learning journey to successfully reach the careers of their choice.”
ColegauCymru is currently supporting its member colleges by facilitating an ongoing discussion between the various part of the post-16 sector, with Welsh Government and the HE regulator, HEFCW.
Further Information
The College of the Future
Going further and higher: How collaboration between colleges and universities can transform lives and places
February 2022
ColegauCymru Policy Recommendations for the next Welsh Government
Further Success: Policy Recommendations for the next Welsh Government in Post-16 Education and Lifelong Learning in Wales
May 2021
