Consultation Response
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Apprenticeships: How can apprenticeships support the ambition of economic growth via the Industrial Strategy?
Deadline for Submissions: 1 August 2026
In response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Apprenticeships’ Call for Evidence on Apprenticeships and the Industrial Strategy, ColegauCymru expressed our support for placing apprenticeships at the centre of economic growth. While the APPG’s focus is primarily on England, our submission highlighted the vital role that Welsh colleges play in delivering apprenticeships, technical education and workforce upskilling, helping employers develop talent and address skills shortages in key sectors including manufacturing, clean energy, digital, life sciences and construction.
We emphasised that apprenticeship policy is devolved and that reforms in England can have significant implications for Wales, particularly for employers operating across borders. While welcoming efforts to align skills provision with industrial priorities, we're calling for stronger collaboration between Skills England, the Welsh Government, Medr and providers to ensure reforms are effective across the UK. We also support greater flexibility through modular learning where it responds to workforce needs, while stressing that it should complement, rather than replace, high-quality apprenticeship programmes.
The submission concludes that achieving the ambitions of the UK Industrial Strategy will require sustained investment in colleges, the workforce that delivers education and training, and employer partnerships. We also highlight the need for closer collaboration between the UK and Welsh Governments to ensure apprenticeships continue to drive economic growth, productivity and opportunity.
Further Information
Jeff Protheroe, Strategic Adviser - Work-based Learning and Employability
Jeff.Protheroe@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
