Essential Skills Wales qualifications will be reformed after in-depth review
Qualifications Wales today announced that Essential Skills Wales qualifications will be reformed as it published the findings of an in-depth, two-year review of the post-16 vocational qualifications.
Essential Skills Wales qualifications – which cover the subjects of application of number, communication, digital literacy and employability – are designed for use in post-16 courses in further education, work-based learning, and adult community learning.
They enable learners to develop and demonstrate the skills that are essential to gain a foothold in or progress in their chosen careers, and gain valuable skills prized by employers. Last year, more than 23,000 Essential Skills Wales certificates were awarded to learners across Wales as part of apprenticeships, post-16 further education programmes and adult community learning.
During the review, the Qualifications Wales team carried out extensive research and spoke to learners, providers, and employers – and the majority wanted reform. They gave feedback about the currency and manageability of the qualifications and their assessments.
The regulator is now planning to reform three of the four subject areas: application of number; digital literacy; communications.
Reform will be phased in and the new qualifications will be available to centres from 2028. Qualifications Wales will continue to listen to learners, employers, and learning providers, and it will involve them in the next steps to ensure that the content and assessment methods for these reformed qualifications are fit for purpose.
Gareth Downey, Senior Qualifications Manager, said: ”Essential Skills Wales, which are a key part of apprenticeships and are widely taken in further education, support learners to progress in education, work and life. Our review findings show there are strengths to the current Essential Skills Wales qualifications, but there are issues that require our attention in the short and longer term.
“We have worked with key partners to address some issues but it is clear that reform is needed in the longer term. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders and key partners to reform qualifications in application of number, communication and digital literacy to ensure that they fully meet the needs of learners, providers and employers in Wales.”
Training provider ACT Training was one of the stakeholders Qualification Wales consulted during the review process. It has sites in Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Aberdare, Pontypool, and Ebbw Vale.
ACT’s Head of Skills and Curriculum Development, Tracey Spiller, said: “ACT welcomed the opportunity to work with Qualification Wales and other training and FE providers of Essential Skills. The process of the review was clearly communicated, and we were included at every step. We really felt that our feedback mattered, and we are excited to be a part of what comes next.”
Andrew Bond, Curriculum Manager Skills and Partnerships of Bridgend College, said: “At Bridgend College, we believe that Essential Skills Wales qualifications play a crucial role in empowering learners and transforming their lives. These qualifications provide a solid foundation in key areas such as communication, numeracy, and digital literacy, all of which are vital for personal growth, career development, and active participation in society. By equipping learners with these essential skills, we help them build confidence, achieve their aspirations, and enhance their employability, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the economy.”
Find out more by reading the full report here.