Routes into post-16 education and training

The Children, Young People and Education Committee conducted a written consultation for its inquiry into Routes into post-16 education and training.

 

Please refer to the inquiry page for further information and up-to-date information on the inquiry.

 

Terms of Reference

The inquiry will focus on:

>>>Quality of information given to learners about the full range of post-16 options (vocational and academic routes post 16, i.e. further education, sixth form, apprenticeships and training, and onward to higher education)

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***Quality and nature of information provided to learners within schools and those educated other than at school (EOTAS).

***Quality and nature of information provided directly to learners by Careers Wales.

***The extent to which further education colleges are able to engage directly with learners in schools.

***The extent to which learners in schools are made aware of the options available to them in school sixth forms and local further education colleges, and how closely schools engage with local colleges. Are there any conflicts of interest between sixth forms and further education colleges and is this more prevalent in some areas of Wales more than others?

***The extent to which employers are able to engage directly with learners in schools, for example at careers events.

***Who else influences learners future career choices (e.g. parents, teachers, peers), and how well are those people  supported to do this.

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>>>How effective careers support is at compulsory school age

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***To what extent careers support at pre-16 is resulting in positive or negative outcomes post-16 e.g. young people finding themselves not in education, employment or training (NEET).

***Whether work experience opportunities for learners of compulsory school are operational, effective and meaningful and any barriers in that regard.

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>>>Changes in routes post-18

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***Is there evidence that learners are changing their choices post-18, including a drop in Higher Education enrolments, and if so why? 

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>>>Welsh-medium provision

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***The availability of post-16 options (both academic and vocational) through the medium of Welsh, and how this impacts on young people’s choices.

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>>>Equity of access

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***Are some groups of learners disadvantaged by the current system (e.g. pupils from low-income households, learners with travel needs)?

***What support is available for learners to improve access (financial or otherwise)?

***Is there any regional variation in the information and support provided about post-16 across Wales? Are there any particular challenges facing learners in rural areas?

***Are there any other equality issues?

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>>>Post-16 destination data

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***Is there sufficient post-16 destination data collected to understand trends and inform what education institutions deliver? If not, what data is required to fully understand the post-16 landscape? 

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>>>Welsh Government’s role

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***How effective is the Welsh Government’s approach to support participation in the full range of post-16 education and training options?

***Are learners, their families and schools aware of available Wales-wide support and programmes, such as the Young Person’s Guarantee?

***Outcomes from Dr Hefin David MS’s ‘Transitions to Employment’ report.

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