Over 60 employers from across Wales have joined together to call for funding for the Welsh Government flagship apprenticeship programme to be protected, to ensure the economic prosperity of Wales. Plaid Cymru secured a debate in the Senedd on apprenticeships, which took place yesterday (January 17), an extract of which can be seen in the video above.
In an open letter, employers say that cuts to the apprenticeship programme announced by Welsh Government on December 19, 2023 will have a devastating effect on apprentices, employers, and communities, signalling very challenging times ahead for the Further Education and work-based learning sectors. It could mean 10,000 fewer apprentices able to start next year, with the reductions falling disproportionately on young people, and those in the lowest socio-economic groups.
ColegauCymru has previously highlighted concern about the impact of potential reduced budgets across both apprenticeships and the wider Further Education offer.
Reacting to the announcement, Pembrokeshire College Principal Dr Barry Walters said:
“As Wales navigates turbulent economic times, colleges are the skills engine needed to drive economic recovery and much needed growth.
“It is critical that future potential inward investment is not damaged, and the budget decision is a huge gamble for Wales’ economy and communities.
“We would urge Welsh Government to rethink this decision to cut the apprenticeship programme.”
Impact in Pembrokeshire
- Since 2019, there have been 3,320 apprenticeship starts in the Pembrokeshire area.
- These have been in a variety of sectors, from construction to management and 1,380 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- From January 2023 until the end of September 2023, there have been 815 starts within Pembrokeshire.
- Within that number, 315 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- With an anticipated cut of up to 50% new starts in apprenticeship provision in the contract year from August 2024, this will have a severe impact on the number of new apprentices in the Pembrokeshire Council area.
Impact in Carmarthenshire
- Since 2019, there have been 5,000 apprenticeship starts in the Carmarthenshire area.
- These have been in a variety of sectors, from construction to management and 2,365 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- From January 2023 until the end of September 2023, there have been 1030 starts within Carmarthenshire.
- Within that number, 470 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- With an anticipated cut of up to 50% new starts in apprenticeship provision in the contract year from August 2024, this will have a severe impact on the number of new apprentices in the Carmarthenshire Council area.
Impact in Ceredigion
- Since 2019, there have been 1,405 apprenticeship starts in the Ceredigion area.
- These have been in a variety of sectors, from construction to management and 465 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- From January 2023 until the end of September 2023, there have been 285 starts within Ceredigion.
- Within that number, 80 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
- With an anticipated cut of up to 50% new starts in apprenticeship provision in the contract year from August 2024, this will have a severe impact on the number of new apprentices in the Ceredigion Council area.
Further education colleges are fundamental to a fairer, greener and stronger Wales, but they need sustainable funding to be able to support learners and to deliver for employers, they argue.
The combination of the cuts to the apprenticeship budget and reductions in funding elsewhere means there could be a ‘perfect storm’ facing the sector as a result of the proposals in the draft budget.