This year’s ColegauCymru Annual Conference and Dinner 2024 concluded on a high note, marking another successful gathering of Wales’ further education leaders, educators, policymakers, and partners. The event, held on 23 and 24 October, brought together stakeholders from across the sector to reflect on learnings from the last 12 months, whilst looking at how collaborative working will be essential to tackle future challenges.
Education 5.0: The Future of Further Education in Wales 
Generously sponsored by City & Guilds, the Conference featured thought-provoking talks and discussions led by key figures in education and industry, including the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells MS, Wales’ Chief Economist, Dr Thomas Nicholls, and Wales’ Future Generations Commissioner, Derek Walker. We also heard from a range of businesses, social partners and sector agencies central to FE and work-based learning.
ColegauCymru Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Rachel Cable, said,
“We’re delighted to have once again brought together colleagues old and new from across the sector for another valuable and insightful Conference. Our keynote addresses gave delegates an insight into the big picture challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, sparking meaningful conversations around our collective role in shaping a resilient, innovative education landscape to help Wales’ communities and economy flourish”.
Interactive Worksho
p Sessions
Workshop sessions provided an opportunity to delve deeper into specific areas; focusing on themes including: apprenticeships fit for the future; improving the quality of learning in a tertiary model; digital sustainability; Welsh medium delivery; social partnership; social value; active wellbeing for thriving environments, and learnings from Finland and the need for a VET strategy for Wales.
Conference Dinner
We’re also grateful to Agored for sponsoring this year’s Conference Dinner and to Jason Mohammad, for sharing reflections on his journey 
through FE to a successful broadcasting career.
Looking towards the Future
As the sector looks ahead, the focus remains on working together to address both continued and emerging challenges, and to ensure that the policy makers understand the value that FE has in supporting the Welsh Government to achieve its goal of a stronger, fairer and greener Wales.
ColegauCymru is grateful for the support received from contributors, sponsors and delegates alike, for coming together for a valuable day of learning and sharing. We look forward to welcoming you to our next Conference.
Further Information
Lucy Hopkins, Communications Manager
Lucy.Hopkins@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
