Seven-year blueprint for Welsh apprenticeships 



The Welsh government has set out its policy on aligning the apprenticeship model to the needs of the local economy.



Julie James, minister for skills, said apprenticeships were an essential ingredient of economic success, a vital tool in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales and it was crucial that apprentices have the right skills to meet current and future business needs.



Central to apprenticeship planning is the commitment to create a minimum of 100,000 all-age apprenticeships over the current Assembly term, as well as promoting and enhancing earning and learning routes across the post-16 sector that cover academic and vocational learning.



Priorities for 2016 to 2022 include: 



 • addressing acute skill shortages by developing apprenticeships, particularly in growth sectors and emerging job categories, in line with priorities determined by Regional Skills Partnerships;



 • introducing an all-age approach in order to help those trying to enter or re-enter the labour market;



 • ensuring the programme improves its contribution towards higher level skills – focusing on level 3 apprenticeships and above, where returns tend to be higher;



 • focusing more on success through the achievement of meaningful and sustainable employment; and



 • delivering apprenticeships through the medium of the Welsh language or bilingually.



http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/170206-app-policy-plan-en-v2.pdf