Policy Forum for Wales keynote seminar

Priorities for Post-Compulsory Education and Training in Wales

with

Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education, Welsh Government

Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

Senior speaker confirmed from Estyn

and

Mark Jones, Gower College Swansea; Barry Liles, University of Wales Trinity Saint David; Margaret Phelan, University and College Union and Rob Simkins, NUS Wales

Chaired by:

Suzy Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Education & Welsh Language, Welsh Conservative Party, National Assembly for Wales

Bydd cyfieithu ar y pryd ar gael yn y gynhadledd hon

Simultaneous translation will be available at this conference

Follow us @PFWEvents | This event is CPD certified

Morning, Tuesday, 21st January 2020

Central Cardiff

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Note: fees apply to most delegates, but concessionary and complimentary places are available.

The conference comes at a time of considerable change for PCET, as the Welsh Government establishes a new authority to oversee the sector – the Tertiary Education and Research Commission for Wales (TERCW).

Delegates will consider the structure and priorities for the new body in order to enable it to help maximise the potential of the new post-compulsory system – in the context of Welsh Government aims including:

• widening access to PCET education;
• enhancing the economic impact of post-compulsory education and training; and
• the promotion of Welsh language and culture.

Speakers

We are delighted that Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education, Welsh Government is a keynote speaker at this conference.

There will also be a keynote panel with: Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and a senior speaker confirmed from Estyn.

Further confirmed speakers include: Mark Jones, Principal, Gower College Swansea and Barry Liles, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Skills & Lifelong Learning, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The agenda

• Implementing the new Post-16 framework in Wales;
• Assessing priorities for the skills system in Wales;
• Shaping the new post-16 framework – access, integration of HE and FE provision, learner focus, and maximising the sector’s contribution to meeting skills needs;
• Quality assurance priorities, accountability, and funding for Further Education and Higher Education; and
• Quality assurance delivery and accountability in post-compulsory education.

Book Online | Live Agenda

The details: areas for discussion at this conference

Governance and the transition to the TERCW

Establishment of the Tertiary Education and Research Commission for Wales comes following recommendations in:

• the Hazelkorn Review of the oversight of post-compulsory education; and
• the Weingarten Review on how to improve the sector’s effectiveness.

Attendees will discuss how to ensure that the TERCW is configured to allow effective governance of HE and FE institutions, and a smooth transition to the new single regulatory organisation.

They will also consider the future governance structures of TERCW itself – both in its relationship with the Welsh Government and the representation of stakeholders within the governance of the organisation.

Priorities for the new body, and its remit

We expect discussion on TERCW’s initial priorities as it inherits the responsibilities currently performed by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, including:

• funding arrangements under the new framework; and
• scrutinising designated providers to ensure quality in the post-compulsory sector.

As well as its proposed functions – of auditing for further education and work-based learning, contracting, financial monitoring, funding, and planning – we expect a particular focus on the decision to include sixth forms within TERCW’s remit, including the likely impact on school funding arrangements.

Contributing to strategic policy goals

Further sessions discuss the types of skills that Wales needs in the long-term and what the PCET reforms could mean for goals in the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All strategy of:

• increasing high quality employment;
• higher overall skills levels; and
• achieving one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

The draft agenda is copied below my signature, and a regularly updated version is available to download here. The seminar is organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the Policy Forum for Wales. Follow us @PFWEvents for live updates.

Speakers

We are delighted to be able to include in this seminar a keynote addresses from: Kirsty Williams AM, Minister for Education, Welsh Government; Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Walesand a senior speaker confirmed from Estyn.

Further confirmed speakers include: Mark Jones, Principal, Gower College Swansea; Barry Liles, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Skills & Lifelong Learning, University of Wales Trinity Saint David; Margaret Phelan, Wales Official, University and College Union and Rob Simkins, President, NUS Wales.

Suzy Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Education & Welsh Language, Welsh Conservative Party, National Assembly for Wales has kindly agreed to chair part of this seminar.

Additional senior participants are being approached.

Networking

This seminar will present an opportunity to engage with key policymakers and other interested parties, and is CPD certified (more details). Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the National Assembly for Wales and officials from the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from Aspiration Training; British Heart Foundation Cymru; Cardiff Metropolitan University; Educ8 Group; HEFCW; Torfaen Council and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group, including Members of the National Assembly for Wales and senior officials from the Welsh Government, senior officials from Estyn, HEFCW and relevant Departments, as well university and college leaders; academics and other higher education and further education professionals; representatives from students’ unions; businesses and their advisors; interest groups and the voluntary sector; along with commentators and reporters from the national and trade media.

Output and About Us

A key output of the seminar will be a transcript of the proceedings, sent out around 12 working days after the event to all attendees and a wider group of Ministers and officials in the Wales Office and Welsh Government departments affected by the issues; as well as Assembly Members with a special interest in the subject. It will also be made available more widely. This document will include transcripts of all speeches and questions and answers sessions from the day, along with access to PowerPoint presentations (subject to agreement with individual speakers), speakers’ biographies, an attendee list, an agenda, sponsor information, as well as any subsequent press coverage of the day and any articles or comment pieces submitted by delegates. It is made available subject to strict restrictions on public use, and is intended to provide timely information for interested parties who are unable to attend on the day.

All delegates will receive complimentary PDF copies and are invited to contribute to the content.

The Policy Forum for Wales is strictly impartial and cross-party. The Forum has no policy agenda of its own.

Booking arrangements

To book places, please use our online booking form.

Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions below.

Please pay in advance by credit card on 01344 864796. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able to make other arrangements.

Options and charges are as follows:

• Places at Priorities for Post-Compulsory Education and Training in Wales (including refreshments and PDF copy of the transcripts) are £230 plus VAT;
• Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £85 plus VAT. Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.

For those who cannot attend:

• Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts of all speeches and the questions and comments sessions and further articles from interested parties, will be available approximately 12 days after the event for £95 plus VAT;
• Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT.

If you find the charge for places a barrier to attending, please let me know as concessionary and complimentary places are made available in certain circumstances (but do be advised that this typically applies to individual service users or carers or the like who are not supported by or part of an organisation, full-time students, people between jobs or who are fully retired with no paid work, and representatives of small charities – not businesses, individuals funded by an organisation, or larger charities/not-for-profit companies). Please note terms and conditions below (including cancellation charges).