Routes into post-16 education and training

Inquiry4

 

 

Report

On 12 November 2025 the Committee published its written report (PDF 2.8MB). A plenary debate has been scheduled for Wednesday 4 February 2026

 

The Children, Young People and Education Committee is conducting an inquiry into Routes into post-16 education and training.

 

Background to the inquiry

Stakeholders have written to the Committee expressing concerns about participation rates in further and higher education. They have stated that:

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>>>The percentage of Welsh domiciled 18 year olds entering higher education in 2023/24 was 29.9%, compared to 49.5% in London, 40.2% in Northern Ireland and 38.5% in South East England.

>>>In the UK overall, those in IMD category Quintile 1 (the most deprived) enter at a rate of 26% whereas in Wales it’s 18.9%. There is significant regional disparity too: quintile 1 young people in South Wales are more likely to access higher education than quintile 1 young people in North Wales.

>>>Increasing numbers of students from England choosing to study in Wales is masking participation challenges among Welsh domiciled young people.

>>>There are disparities within Welsh figures based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and regions. 18.9% of those in the most deprived quintile of the IMD in Wales entered HE, compared to 26% in the same quintile across the UK as a whole. Destination data for 16-17 year olds is currently patchy and provides limited answers.

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The Committee wrote (PDF 162KB) to the Cabinet Secretary for Education in April 2024 raising some of these concerns, a response was received (PDF 165KB) in June 2024.

 

On the 6 November 2024 the Committee agreed to conduct an inquiry into the issues outlined above. The Committee agreed that higher education is one of a range of options open to young people and that the inquiry should consider routes into post-16 education and training more broadly.

What the inquiry will focus on

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>>>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)

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

>>>Changes in routes post-18

>>>Welsh-medium provision

>>>Equity of access

>>>Post-16 destination data

>>>Welsh Government’s role

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The full terms of reference are published on consultation page
 

Consultation

The Committee launched a call for written evidence on 3 December 2024. This closed on 27 January 2024. All the responses have been published.

 

Oral evidence gathering

The Committee held a series of formal oral evidence sessions between January and March 2025. Transcripts of these meetings are available by following the ‘Related Meetings’ tab at the top of this page.

 

The Committee has also held a stakeholder event and carried out engagement activities. A summary of the Committee’s findings (PDF 746KB). is available.

 

Information that been submitted following an oral evidence session, stakeholder event or visit is published on the consultation page.

 

The Senedd Commission’s Citizen Engagement Team has also carried out citizen engagement activities on behalf of the Committee. The Citizen Engagement Team launched two surveys: one aimed at parents/guardians of 16–20-year-olds and another aimed at young people. An easy-read version of the survey for young people (PDF 860KB) was made available. The Citizen Engagement Team also conducted face-to-face interviews with the facilitators and young people of an alternative education setting to complement the surveys. A summary report of the Citizen Engagement Team’s findings (PDF 1MB) is available.

 

Additional written evidence gathering

 

The Committee has written to certain stakeholders to gather more information about specific issues:

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>>>On 22 April 2025, the Committee wrote to the Welsh Government (PDF 150KB) about various issues relating to the inquiry. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 328KB) on 19 May 2025.

>>>On 22 April 2025, the Committee wrote to Careers Wales (PDF 113KB) about careers advice and work experience. Careers Wales responded (PDF 394KB) on 16 May 2025.

>>>On 22 April 2025, the Committee wrote to ColegauCymru (PDF 112KB) about ‘Junior Apprenticeships’. ColegauCymru responded (PDF 356KB) on 18 May 2025.

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All of the evidence that the Committee gathers will help it understand key issues, draw conclusions, and make informed recommendations.

 

Correspondence

 

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>>>Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee – 24 October 2025 (PDF 111KB)

>>>Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee – 14 July 2025 (PDF 165KB)

 

For more information please contact SeneddChildren@Senedd.Wales