Gwynedd Council is conducting an engagement period to hear the views of pupils, families as well as school staff and governors on how to ensure the best possible post-16 education system for young people in the Arfon area.
In January 2020, the Welsh Government’s Education Minister announced her vision for a new framework for post-16 education that will lead to higher levels of skills that drive innovation, facilitate investment and improve leadership and management.
Ensuring that post-16 education provides training in the skills required by employers is key. In a 2017 Welsh Government survey, 66% of employers with vacancies identified a lack of specialist skills for the role as a significant factor in not appointing applicants. In addition, 45% were concerned that candidates were failing to demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems.
In March 2020, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet agreed to hold an informal engagement process that would encourage an open conversation to discuss the future of post-16 education in Arfon. Due to Covid-19, it was not possible to carry out the process earlier in the year, and therefore the Council is keen to facilitate an open discussion over the coming weeks with pupils, parents, staff and school governors as well as other key stakeholders.
The aim is to have an open conversation to see how a post-16 education system can be secured for the future, which will offer fairness and strong support to all young people to succeed and fulfil their potential.
Garem Jackson, Gwynedd Council’s Head of Education, said: “There has been no significant change in the pattern of post-16 education in the Arfon area for some time. With the landscape of post-16 education changing across Wales, it is therefore timely for us to take a step back to see if the current situation fully meets the needs of our young people.
“By conducting an open conversation we are keen to see what aspects of the current system are working well and what we can do better to achieve an innovative system that offers the best for all learners.
“Above all, we want to find an answer to the question ‘What needs to be done to ensure that this system in Gwynedd enables all our learners to fulfil their potential?’.”
Councillor Cemlyn Rees Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The landscape for post-16 education in Wales is changing. That is why we, as a Council are keen to consider whether there is scope to improve provision in Arfon.
“Our vision is to have a post-16 education system that truly meets the needs of all our learners.
“Background, geography and circumstances should not limit our young people’s choice or future path. We need an education system that combines educational, vocational, technical and academic needs that equip our young people with key skills for the world of work.
“Employer expectations are changing with much greater emphasis on areas such as digital services, the green energy sector and food and agriculture. It will therefore be essential that the future post-16 education system prepares our young people for the opportunities that will emerge from all core sectors.
“Of course, in normal times, face-to-face meetings would be held, but despite the current situation we are planning to hold virtual meetings so that we can come together on the web to discuss and brainstorm ideas for the benefit of our young people.
“We want to have an open conversation to see what the young people of the area have to say, and we also want to hear the views of parents, staff, governors and anyone with an interest in the sector.
“Our aim is to hold virtual sessions with learners, parents, staff and governors over the coming weeks to give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask any questions.”
Further details on the informal engagement process, including how to comment can be found here www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/post16arfon
