Written - £8.9m for Further Education in Wales

I am today announcing an additional £8.93 million for Further Education Institutions (FEIs) and sixth forms.

The funding is in direct response to the economic downturn to support those colleges and local authorities in the post-16 sector most affected by the recent budget settlement. The effect of this additional post-16 allocation is that, in almost every case, FEIs and local education authorities will be funded at or above the same level for (09/10) as they were for 08/09.

With the economic downturn being likely to lead to an increase in demand for post-16 training and adult training places, the extra support will provide funding for at least a further 2,500 places for young people and adults at FE institutions and school sixth forms.

Although a difficult budget settlement this year has meant having to make difficult choices, the Assembly Government has worked closely with the post-16 sector to provide as much assistance as possible in what have been and continue to be challenging times.   We have listened to the concerns of the sector and the issues they face in light of the recession.   The additional funding I am announcing today indicates the Assembly Government’s commitment to supporting the post-16 sector so that they can deliver the necessary knowledge and skills for the upturn when it comes.

It is vitally important that the educational provision in Wales meets the present and future needs of its people, communities, employers and economy.

Much of our recent discussion has inevitably been focussed on the impact of the economic downturn.  I’m proud that the Assembly Government has been able to put skills-based measures in place to try to reduce the impact of the downturn on individuals and on businesses.  Programmes such as ProAct and ReAct have attracted attention far beyond Wales.  I’m grateful to FE Colleges and other training providers for responding so quickly to the availability of these programmes and for meeting the needs of those affected by the economic downturn. 

But we must not lose sight of the future needs of the economy – and so we remain committed to the Skills that Work for Wales strategy for that future.  The Further Education sector has a central role in helping to train the future workforce and to further develop the skills of those in work or looking for work.   School 6th forms also have a key role to play in the future education of our young people.  I’m looking forward to seeing the reconfiguration proposals coming forward in response to our Transformation framework because I expect these to be the basis for significant improvements to our post-16 provision in the future. 

Our future strategy – and the additional funding we have announced today - will ensure that our post-16 FE institutions and sixth forms across Wales can continue the excellent work they are doing in developing the highly-educated, highly-skilled workforce that Wales needs for the future.