The future of 14-19 Learning Pathways took another step forward as the proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure received the support of the Assembly to proceed to the next stage. Learning Pathways represents a major change of approach to preparing Wales’ young people for educational progression, employment and adult life.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills has approved the publication of the List of Approved Qualifications for learners in Wales. This means that courses leading to qualifications listed are eligible in Wales for funding by a Local Education Authority or by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Living in Wales Survey of Citizens’ Views of Public Services in Wales found that between 68% and 97% of the Welsh public are satisfied overall with the public services they use, particularly the way in which they are treated by public service staff. 7,753 households in Wales were questioned face to face about their experiences of: Patient Transport Services; Dental Services; Train Services; Street Cleaning Services; Library Services; Accident and Emergency Services; Ambulance Services; Further Education Services.
Plans to expand and improve transport arrangements for pupils and students across Wales, including an all-Wales behaviour code, have received Royal Approval. The Learner Travel Measure, which also places a duty on local authorities to promote access to Welsh Medium Education, was passed by the Assembly at the end of September and yesterday’s decision means that it now becomes law.
The Welsh Assembly Government has received the green light to introduce new legislation in relation to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all children and young people in Wales. Royal Approval for the Vulnerable Children’s Legislative Competence Order (LCO) means the Welsh Assembly Government can now bring forward Assembly Measures covering children and young people.
Lifelong Learning UK is currently developing new National Occupational Standards for Learner Involvement. There are 2 LINOS consultation sessions planned for Wales on 16 January 2009, Coleg Powys, Newtown and 28 January, 2009 Sketty Hall, Swansea.
On Wednesday 26 November the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery, Andrew Davies, launched a major consultation on the role that inspection, audit and regulation will play in delivering top quality public services to the people of Wales. The consultation statement sets out the Welsh Assembly Government's policy on inspection, audit and regulation - i.e. the external review of public services - by the public service inspectorates such as Estyn, the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and the Auditor General for Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that Chris Tweedale has been appointed as Director of Children, Young People and School Effectiveness group within the Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS). Mr. Tweedale is currently Deputy Director, Qualifications Strategy and Reform Group, Young People Directorate, within the Department for Children, Schools and Families in England and will take up post in January 2009.
The Statistical Directorate in the Welsh Assembly Government has recently begun a project to develop improved estimates of educational attainment for 14 to 19 year olds in Wales. This newsletter informs stakeholders and interested parties of progress and plans for the next few months.
TIMSS is a worldwide research project, taking place every four years and providing data about trends in mathematics and science achievement over time. It assesses the knowledge and skills of pupils aged 9-10 and 13-14 around the world, and enables researchers to collect extensive background information about the quantity, quality, and content of teaching, which can be used to make comparisons between participating countries.
This is the fifth report on demand for higher education that HEPI has published, updated each year in the light of the most recent information. There are two main influences on demand for higher education – changes in the population from which students are drawn, and the ability and willingness of this population to participate in higher education (as well as the extent of that participation ). This report looks at each in turn, both nationally and regionally.
The focus of this e-bulletin from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills is on employment and skills issues from research and policy perspectives. This month's spotlight feature examines a new report by the OECD on Income Inequality.
Nearly half the country’s workforce say the current climate has made them think about training or learning a new skill.
Over a decade has gone by since the report of the Widening Participation Committee - Learning works - was presented to the Further Education Funding Council. Ten years on, this report asks how far have we come in the decade since Learning works? What progress have we made? And what barriers have we yet to overcome?
A new top-level Employer Taskforce is being launched by the Government today to spearhead a fresh drive to boost education by bringing more business expertise into the classroom. The new taskforce, will have senior business figures including representatives from CBI and the Chamber of Commerce.
