L&WI Cymru: Welsh Government: Skills Audit for Wales
Deadline for Submission: 25 September 2026
ColegauCymru’s submission highlights persistent skills shortages across health and social care, construction, engineering, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, clean energy and essential public services. These pressures will intensify through net zero, AI, automation, demographic change and regional investment, increasing demand for combined occupational, digital, sustainability, employability and leadership skills.
The Skills Audit for Wales should inform a national Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy, supported by a Future Skills Authority providing authoritative labour-market intelligence and aligning economic priorities, funding, qualifications and delivery. The submission calls for sustained, multi-year investment in colleges, apprenticeships, adult learning, employability and higher technical provision, including stronger pathways at Levels 2 to 5.
Key priorities include reversing apprenticeship funding cuts, improving 14 to 19 vocational pathways and careers guidance, supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), strengthening the further education workforce, and expanding modular learning, micro-credentials and Recognition of Prior Learning. Regional planning should reflect local economic opportunities while maintaining national coordination, with colleges recognised as strategic partners in delivering Wales’ economic and social ambitions.
Further Information
Jeff Protheroe, Strategic Adviser - Work-based Learning and Employability
Jeff.Protheroe@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
