With less than 10 days until polling day in the Senedd election, this is a timely opportunity to reflect on those areas of consensus which might form part of a future government agreement. The next Senedd term will be defining for Wales’ future.
While party fortunes may shift, one thing is clear from the manifestos: there is growing consensus that Wales’ economic and social ambitions depend on a stronger, better‑aligned post‑16 education system. Whether we see a minority government, a multi-party coalition, or a confidence and supply arrangement (where one or more parties agree to support a government on key votes such as budgets and confidence motions without formally joining it), the challenges of net zero, delivering sustainable economic growth, rapid technological change, and new demands on public services will shape Wales’ future for a generation. Across the political spectrum there are areas of common ground on a strong, resilient further education sector, and its role in building the Wales of the future. These are potential building blocks a programme for government that could attract broad support across the Senedd.
- There is recognition that Wales needs to elevate the importance of vocational education and training and place it at the heart of a new era of economic renewal. Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour both commit explicitly to developing a national vocational education and training strategy, aligning skills provision with economic and industrial priorities. This echoes recommendations from the last Welsh Government’s Review of Vocational Qualifications and reflects work already undertaken across the sector. With much of the groundwork complete, the next government has an opportunity to move quickly on delivering this strategy.
- There is agreement right across the parties about the importance of skills and apprenticeships to support growth and opportunity. Even though not every party has given a clear commitment to a target number of apprenticeship starts, there is a shared commitment to increasing the number of apprenticeships, improving quality and supporting SMEs and this can form the basis of a programme for government. There is also wide recognition of the importance of lifelong learning, including Welsh Labour’s proposal for a Lifelong Retraining Guarantee. With an economy being rapidly reshaped and big opportunities from energy and AI investment, a new government would attract support from investment in adult skills.
- There is strong alignment around the need to improve post‑16 pathways and learner choice. The ColegauCymru call for a new 14-19 learning and progression pathway is reflected in pledges from both Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour. Plaid’s commitment to ‘equal status’ for vocational and academic routes, and Welsh Labour’s proposal to extend the Young Person’s Guarantee to younger learners, create real scope for reform that strengthens collaboration between schools, colleges and other providers. Bolstering consensus in this area, the Welsh Liberal Democrats pledge to work towards a ‘School Leavers’ Guarantee so that every young person leaving secondary education in Wales receives, within three months, a clear offer of further or higher education, a paid apprenticeship or traineeship, paid work with recognised training, or tailored supported employment’.
- Learner travel remains a significant concern for colleges across Wales, and multiple parties acknowledge that transport costs and availability remain a barrier to participation. Across the manifestos there are commitments to reduced fares for young people and expanded bus services, but we need to go further - we need national support for learner travel so that all learners are treated fairly whether they access travel on public bus routes, college funded buses or on trains.
Financial pressure in the sector remains acute, and it is critical that the next Welsh Government ensures colleges have greater long-term financial stability and operational flexibility to meet the needs of their communities. Wales’ future economic success lies in the skills of our people, investing in skills is the key to economic growth and to tackle inequalities in Wales. Colleges are proud of their role as anchor institutions in their local communities and economies. From progressing to university, accessing an apprenticeship, returning as an adult learner or training as a plumber, heat pump system installer, cyber security specialist, web designer, or nurse, colleges are places where everyone can succeed. They are catalysts for positive change and essential if Wales is to have the future that we all deserve.
Further Information
Read the ColegauCymru manifesto for the next Welsh Government
Growth, Opportunity and Fairness
