Written statement (Wales) on Strategic Direction for Vocational Education and Training in Wales - Mar 11

Vikki Howells MS, Minister for Further and Higher Education
Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership

We are pleased to publish the Strategic Direction for Vocational Education and Training (VET), which sets out Welsh Government's ambitions for strengthening VET provision in Wales.

Vocational learning supports learners throughout life – including pre-16, Further Education, Higher Education, Work Based Learning and Adult Learning. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access and complete vocational pathways, gain new skills, including higher‑level skills, and contribute to a strong and sustainable economy. Our vision is for a system where these pathways are visible, understood, and valued. Too often, vocational and academic routes are seen as unequal; in reality, both offer clear progression into higher‑level learning, upskilling, and employment.

The document sets out the following five interdependent National Priorities for VET.  Each priority outlines the key challenges, highlights the progress already made by Welsh Government and partners – including Medr and Qualifications Wales – and sets out the future direction of travel to achieve our shared ambitions. 

•         National Priority One: Growing Our Economy

To drive a future-ready VET system that equips learners with the knowledge and skills needed for a rapidly evolving labour market, directly strengthening productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth.  Aligned with Welsh Government's Economic Mission and Wales' priority sectors, we should aim to empower individuals to build a stronger, fairer, and greener Wales through inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience.

•         National Priority Two: Improved Visibility

To improve the visibility of VET pathways by removing barriers that limit learners' access to impartial advice and guidance, enabling confident and informed choices, and promoting parity between vocational and academic pathways.

•         National Priority Three: Participation and Progression

To support learners of all ages—wherever they live and whatever their background—to develop the confidence they need to participate in, and progress through, the tertiary education sector and beyond.

•         National Priority Four: Strong Partnerships

 To support strong partnerships between local authorities, educational providers, and employers.  Collaboration and strategic partnership should place learner needs at the heart of planning and delivery.

•         National Priority Five: Supporting Educators and Training Providers

To ensure that educators and training providers have the opportunity to upskill in line with evolving workforce demands and future skills needs to enable vocational learners to develop up-to-date theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

These National Priorities also support the Cymraeg 2050 goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Embedding Welsh language provision across vocational pathways will enable learners to learn and work bilingually, helping to deliver an inclusive system that reflects our bilingual nation.

VET is an integral part of Wales's wider tertiary sector. Alongside this work, we have identified five pressing challenges facing the sector and, in January, published a detailed evidence paper and launched a Call for Submissions which closes on the 27 March. The Strategic Direction for VET complements this process and will form a key component of this broader review of tertiary education. Together, this evidence will provide a clearer picture of the pressures and opportunities across the system and help guide future policy decisions.

In November 2025, the Children, Young People and Education Committee published the findings of its inquiry into routes into post-16 education and training. The Committee recommended that Welsh Government publish an overarching strategy for post-16 education covering both academic and vocational pathways.

As set out in the Welsh Government's response, the decision whether to produce a broad tertiary strategy or a specific VET strategy will be shaped by the outcomes of the Call for Submission, but this Strategic Direction for VET provides a strong foundation for that work.

Delivering on the Strategic Direction for VET has, and will, require close coordination across all four of our Ministerial portfolios. Through our Ministerial Board for Vocational Education and Training, we have together considered the strategic and cross-cutting issues that underpin this document.

We have also worked closely with our stakeholder reference group, and more broadly with the sector, including employer-representative bodies and the trade unions. They have played a crucial role in informing and shaping this strategy. We extend our sincere thanks to its members, and to all individuals and organisations whose expertise and insight have shaped this work. Their contributions have ensured our approach reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of learners, the sector, employers and communities across Wales.

Together we can build a skilled, confident and prosperous workforce, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing, global economy.