Senedd Cymru: Priorities for the Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Deadline for Submission: 11 September 2026
ColegauCymru has written to the Chair of the Senedd's Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee outlining the urgent financial pressures facing Wales' further education sector and the action needed to ensure colleges can continue to meet growing demand from learners.
The submission highlights that colleges are experiencing record levels of participation, with nearly 5,000 learners expected to attend college this year without accompanying funding. It warns that hundreds of young people have already been unable to secure a college place, increasing the risk of more young people becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET).
ColegauCymru stresses that the sector is under significant strain, with mounting pressures on learner support services, Additional Learning Needs provision, and curriculum delivery. We warn that without urgent intervention there is a risk of financial instability, reductions in provision, and job losses across the sector.
The response calls on Welsh Government to provide immediate additional funding to address participation pressures in 2026-27 and to fully fund the FE funding model from 2027-28 onwards. It argues that investment in colleges is essential to support learners, tackle economic inactivity, reduce NEET levels, and equip Wales with the skills needed to grow the economy and improve productivity.
Further Information
Alex Still, Policy Manager
Alex.Still@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
