Wales to have new national steward to oversee post-16 education

The Welsh Government will establish a new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research to ensure learners have the support of a coherent sector, focused on widening access and increasing opportunities.

This would mark the first time in Wales’ history that all elements of post-16 education – including colleges, universities, adult education, apprenticeships and sixth forms – would come under the one body.

The Commission would monitor, register and regulate providers, and set out the standards expected within the sector – including Welsh medium provision.

As well as proposing the establishment of the new Commission, the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill – to be introduced at the Senedd – establishes nine national strategic duties. These legal duties reflect the Government’s long-term vision for the sector and will guide the Commission’s future work.

The nine strategic duties are:

    Promoting life-long learning
    Promoting equality of opportunity
    Encouraging participation in tertiary education
    Promoting continuous improvement in tertiary education and research
    Promoting collaboration and coherence in tertiary education and research
    Contributing to a sustainable and innovative economy
    Promoting tertiary education through the medium of Welsh
    Promoting a civic mission
    Promoting a global outlook

As part of these reforms, the existing Higher Education Funding Council for Wales will be dissolved.