Ahead of today’s Welsh Government update to the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, ColegauCymru sets out the commitment of the Further Education (FE) Sector in helping to reach the ambitious target of an anti-racist Wales by 2030; and the considerable work taking place across our colleges to help achieve this.
The work being carried across our member colleges includes developing bespoke plans to ensure:
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anti-racist cultures and practices are embedded within colleges, a modern FE curriculum that reflects an anti-racist Wales;
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a safe, inclusive environment for all staff and learners where racial harassment and discrimination is effectively addressed;
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lived experiences of ethnic minority learners and staff in the FE, apprenticeships and adult learning sectors;
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an evidence base and understanding of ethnicity profiles in the FE sector;
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that colleges are representative of the communities they serve; and
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that English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision fully supports the needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
All FE colleges in Wales have anti-racism and equalities plans in place, supported by appropriate equality, diversity and inclusion internal structures, teams and leads. One of the functions of these plans and teams is to ensure that college anti-racism action plans are being effectively implemented, with progress assessed. In recent years, colleges have been supported in this process through affiliation with various external organisations, including the Black Leadership Group.
Professional learning activity in colleges has included engagement with Diversity and Anti Racist Professional Learning (DARPL), Black Leadership Group, Race Council Cymru, and EYST. College staff have participated in a range of training and leadership programmes supported by Welsh Government; and we would urge this support to continue. Staff in the FE sector would like to emphasise how valuable this funding has been, enabling links to be made with practitioners and leaders from across all phases of education. Given the momentum that this has created, we would be grateful for further support in enabling the continuation of this engagement.
Cardiff and Vale College has received funding from Welsh Government to develop an Anti-Racism Metaverse for the sector - an immersive learning experience, providing opportunities to learn about the cultures and traditions that form part of our shared identity. This year, colleges across Wales are working to embed this resource as well as undertake anti-racist pedagogical training.
On a sector wide basis, the ColegauCymru Equality and Diversity Strategic Group considers matters of equality and diversity in the FE sector and reports to the Principals’ Forum on actions to make progress. In November 2023, Cardiff and Vale College Assistant Principal, Yusuf Ibrahim, gave evidence on behalf of the FE sector to the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee, providing details of how colleges across Wales are taking a pro-active approach to anti-racism. The evidence detailed the collaboration across colleges of a shared vision to eradicate racism in FE and to further the interests and diversity of learners, colleagues and leaders. In his evidence, it was highlighted that colleges are not complacent about scale of the challenge, but that there is a genuine and meaningful commitment to change and to creating environments that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all learners.
Colleges are committed to building an anti-racist Wales, and know there is more to do. As a result of the work so far, colleges are reporting a greater awareness of anti-racism within the sector, greater confidence for learners and staff to speak about lived experiences of racism, and an increase in college events that specifically look to enhance anti-racism.
Further development to achieve an Anti-Racist FE sector by 2030
Our colleges are now looking to fully embed the principles of Anti-Racism and the actions set out in their local anti-racism action plans to achieve a meaningful cultural change. This will be done through a continual focus on leadership and implementation.
The FE sector will also continue to work in an intersectional manner, to ensure equality, inclusion and diversity remains at the heart of college efforts.
Continued specific support for FE colleges will be needed to enable the sector to respond to emerging challenges in this area.
Examples of the above anti-racism work being put in practice
There is a breadth of work underway in colleges on anti-racism, and the following examples are just to offer a ‘flavour’ of the work. Further detail can be provided.
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Adult Learning Wales (ALW) contributes to the learning of many from ethnic minority backgrounds. ALW can design and implement tailored learning programs that resonate with the needs and aspirations of the diverse learner base. The organization recognizes that one size does not fit all and tailors its offerings to suit the requirements of learners, whether they are seeking essential skills, language proficiency, or vocational training.
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Bridgend College has been shortlisted for the Diverse Company Award in the National Diversity Awards 2024 and placed in the Top 50 Inclusive UK Employers List 2024.
Bespoke training through an organisation called Leaders Unlocked, is delivered with managers around language and bias. College-wide input also delivered via the Student Commission on Racial Justice (part of Leaders Unlocked).
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Cardiff and Vale College Anti-Racist curriculum modules for the FE sector were recognised by the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards. Cardiff and Vale College is leading the development of an Anti-Racism Metaverse for the sector - an immersive learning experience, providing opportunities to learn about the cultures and traditions that form part of our shared identity. This work has been funded by the Welsh Government.
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Coleg Cambria has established a working group to improve support for ESOL learners, and all ESOL Tutors are trained in specific Trauma Informed Practices for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The College has also developed a ‘Culture Collectives’ to share experiences on Faith, Culture and Diversity. 350 students and staff attended.
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Coleg y Cymoedd All hiring managers undertake unconscious bias training, and a member of the People & Culture Team sit on every interview panel to challenge unwanted behaviours. EDI e-learning modules are undertaken as part of compulsory compliance training, and this year's inset day will include a two-hour workshop on anti-racism training and a specific workshop on Islamophobia.
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Gower College Swansea has taken part in the Urdd's Peace and Goodwill Message which focuses on anti-racism, and held a “show racism the red card” day where staff and students wore red. Walid Musa Albuqai, an ESOL learner studying at the college won the Different Past: Shared Futures Award at the Inspire! Adult Learning Awards 2023.
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Coleg Gwent has worked with Race Council Cymru, Black Leadership Group, DARPL and No Boundaries Training & Management Consultancy to deliver anti-racism Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for 1,400 Coleg Gwent staff. The college also include Anti-Racist Curriculum modules in their tutorials and on the staff intranet.
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Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is implementing a new 'Speak Up' facility where staff and learners can confidentially and discretely report discrimination of any kind. The College also carries out anti-racism training for staff members including academic and support staff, HR colleagues and managers/leaders. Further, they have also created a tutorial package to assist staff in delivering anti-racism activities during group tutorial sessions. An Anti-Racist Curriculum is also embedded into their quality assurance processes.
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Pembrokeshire College CPD days focus on a range of anti-racism training. Action research has been carried out with college staff on their experiences of racism and the results have informed the training programme for staff. The College has six dedicated CPD Coaches to support staff. Rollout of the anti-racism work undertaken by Pembrokeshire College has been extended to private provider partners.
ColegauCymru believes that all learners have the right to world-class education, delivered in a safe, diverse and inclusive setting and within a sector which supports the wider community, employers and the economy.
Further Information
Clare Williams, Policy Officer
Clare.Williams@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
