Launch of 14-19 Learning Pathways Guidance II and Action Plan

The second edition of the guidance builds on the sound foundations since the publication of the first edition in July 2004, drawing on the experience and expertise of all sectors in Wales.  It demonstrates the progress made since the commitment in The Learning Country (2001) to the transformation of 14-19 provision.

The Action Plan and updated guidance follows the Deputy Ministers report on 14-19 Learning Pathways in Wales which was launched in November of last year.  The 14-19 Action Plan 2006-2010, which will drive forward this agenda, forms an important part of the Learning Pathways 14-19 Guidance 2nd Edition.

Learning Pathways will continue to be nationally managed and locally delivered through a National Project Group and four sub-groups, and 14-19 Networks in each of the twenty two local authorities in Wales.

Welcoming the publication of the updated Guidance and Action Plan, Jane Davidson said, “This is a flagship policy that has continued to develop and grow and one that would not have been possible without the continued commitment from partners.  I am delighted that an additional £41m has been made available up to 2008 to support the new aspects of Learning Pathways.

“This 14-19 Learning Pathways Guidance II, together with the DVD, will inform practitioners in schools, colleges, work placed providers and other partners of the Welsh Assembly Government’s ongoing commitment to provide information on this far reaching programme as it is progressively rolled out.

“Learning Pathways is a radical and ambitious agenda for reforming education and training and will help transform 14-19 provision in Wales.  It puts the learner first.  It is about raising standards for every young person, widening options from a range of domains and providing greater flexibility to vary the speed and direction of individual pathways.  It is underpinned by a unique blend of support and will help young people to make good choices and overcome barriers to learning.

“And of course, we’re already making significant progress in taking this agenda forward.  Learning coach training has commenced and an extension of the Welsh Baccalaureate, making it available at level 1 (Foundation) and level 2 across the 14-19 range is planned to begin in September 2006.

“The Learning Pathways agenda offers numerous benefits to the learner.  It will:

• have a positive impact on those achieving level 2 (intermediate) and level 3 (advanced) qualifications;
  
  
• reduce the numbers leaving full time education with no qualifications
  
  
• increase the proportion progressing to further learning, full-time or work-based
  
  
• have a positive impact on those not currently in education, training or employment

“However, this is a new way of working which will naturally take time to develop and bed down.  By widening the choice and variety of courses, ensuring work focused experience plays a stronger part in education and training and by providing equality of opportunity, Learning Pathways can help all young people here in Wales to learn and to realise their potential.”

Notes to Editor

Learning Pathways 14-19 is a flagship policy of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Learning Pathways 14-19 programme aims to have ’95 per cent of young people ready for high skilled employment or higher education by 2015’.  It has six key elements – individual learning pathways, wider choice and flexibility, a learning core, learning coach support, personal support and careers advice and guidance.

14-19 Networks are groups of strategic organisations, learning providers and learners within a local authority.  They secure the range of programmes and support necessary to ensure learners have access to all elements of Learning Pathways at age 14-19.

The Action Plan will drive forward the transformation of education and training opportunities available to young people in the 14 -19 age group. The plan sets out the following major actions to take place from 2006 to 2010:

• the development of an Employers’ Concordat to encourage and secure employer commitment
  
  
• making the Welsh Baccalaureate available to all learners
  
  
• revising current national curriculum at Key Stage 4 to align better with Learning Pathways
  
  
• securing high quality learning and personal support and impartial advice for all learners
  
  
• providing choice of high quality work related and generals options for learners
  
  
• creating a new learning infrastructure to provided the collaborative framework of Learning Pathways
  
  
• offering high quality work related education in priority economic sectors throughout Wales
  
  
• establishing the learning framework including qualifications, wider experiences and learning and personal support
  
  
• securing better synchronised funding arrangement to facilitate learners’ access to choice and flexibility.