Colleges across Wales are celebrating the transformative power of Further Education during Colleges Week 2026, taking place from 2-6 March, with this year’s theme highlighting the importance of “Skills for All.”
This annual campaign shines a spotlight on the vital role colleges play in equipping people of all ages with the skills they need to succeed - from young people beginning their journeys, to adults retraining, apprentices gaining hands-on experience, and higher-level learners progressing into specialist careers.
Across Wales, colleges are central to supporting learners, communities and employers - helping drive economic growth, tackling inequality and ensuring people have the opportunity to learn and progress throughout their lives.
A week celebrating skills and opportunity
Throughout the week, the campaign focuses on a different group of learners to showcase the breadth and impact of further education and work-based learning.
- Monday - Adult Learning Pays: celebrating adults returning to education, retraining for new careers, or gaining new skills later in life.
- Tuesday - Young People: recognising young learners developing vocational and academic skills as they prepare for their futures.
- Wednesday - Apprenticeships: highlighting apprentices and the employers supporting skills development in the workplace.
- Thursday - Higher Education in Colleges: showcasing learners studying technical and academic qualifications at Level 4 and above.
- Friday - College Communities: celebrating the staff, partnerships and communities that make colleges such powerful local institutions.
These themes reflect the diversity of learning opportunities available across Wales’ further education sector and the essential role colleges play in supporting individuals at every stage of life.
Supporting Wales’ future
As Wales looks ahead to the next Senedd term, the contribution of colleges to the nation’s future prosperity and wellbeing has never been more important.
Through its Senedd election manifesto, Growth, Opportunity and Fairness, ColegauCymru has set out a vision for how further education and work-based learning can help grow the economy, improve participation in post-16 education, and tackle inequality through lifelong learning opportunities.
The manifesto highlights the vital role colleges play as anchor institutions in communities across Wales, supporting people to gain new skills, progress into employment, and access opportunities that transform lives, whislt supporting a strong and prosperous Welsh economy.
ColegauCymru Chief Executive, David Hagendyk, said,
“Colleges Week is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary impact colleges have on people, communities and the Welsh economy. Across Wales, colleges deliver the skills that individuals and employers need to thrive - whether that’s helping a young person take their first steps into the world of work, supporting an apprentice to build a career, or enabling adults to retrain and progress.
As we approach the 2026 Senedd election, our manifesto Growth, Opportunity and Fairness sets out how colleges can help build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Wales. With the right support and investment, colleges will continue to deliver skills for all and unlock opportunities for learners at every stage of life.”
Throughout the week, colleges across Wales will be sharing learner stories, celebrating partnerships with employers and communities, and highlighting the positive impact of further education on individuals and the economy.
Further information
ColegauCymru Manifesto for the Senedd 2026 election
To learn more about the sector’s priorities ahead of the next Senedd election, read the ColegauCymru manifesto: Growth, Opportunity and Fairness
For more information about #CollegesWeek2026, visit the AoC website.
