Meetings

NDM9058 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central) 

To propose that the Senedd notes: 

The report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee ‘Apprenticeship Pathways’, which was laid in the Table Office on 31 July 2025, and to which the Welsh Government laid its response on 19 November 2025.

The item started at 16.02 
NDM9058 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)  

To propose that the Senedd notes:  

The report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee ‘Apprenticeship Pathways’, which was laid in the Table Office on 31 July 2025, and to which the Welsh Government laid its response on 19 November 2025. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. 

8.1    The Committee agreed the draft report, and agreed to its publication following minor drafting amendments.

8.1    The Committee discussed the key issues paper, and agreed to move forward with drafting the report.

8.1    The Committee agreed to return to this item for a full discussion at its next meeting.

7.1    The Committee discussed the key issues paper for the inquiry.

7.2    The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Further and Higher Education to request an update on progress made in developing a national strategy for vocational education and training, following the response on the matter from Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership under item 4.6.

7.3    The Committee agreed to return to the key issues paper at a future meeting, once the response from the Minister for Further and Higher Education has been received.

Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Welsh Government

Neil Surman, Deputy Director - Skills, Welsh Government

Rachel Sanders, Head of Apprenticeships, Welsh Government

4.1     The Committee heard evidence from Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government, in place of Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Welsh Government, who gave apologies on personal grounds.

Leigh Hughes, Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Employment and Skills Board (ESB)

Owain Jones, Regional Learning and Skills Partnership South West Wales Construction cluster group member, and CITB Trustee and Board Member

Pryderi Ap Rhisiart, Digital Skills Group Chair, North Wales Regional Skills Partnership

Ceri Stephens, Chair, Regional Skills Partnership M&E cluster group, and the Mid Wales Manufacturing group

3.1     The Committee heard evidence from Leigh Hughes (Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Employment and Skills Board (ESB)), Owain Jones (Regional Learning and Skills Partnership South West Wales Construction cluster group member, and CITB Trustee and Board Member), Pryderi Ap Rhisiart (Digital Skills Group Chair, North Wales Regional Skills Partnership), and Ceri Stephens (Chair, Regional Skills Partnership M&E cluster group, and the Mid Wales Manufacturing group).

Nerys Bourne, Director of Customer Strategy and Service Development, Careers Wales

Amie Field, Head of Services for Young People, Careers Wales

Jamie Cater, Senior Policy Manager (Employment), Make UK

5.1    The Committee heard evidence from Nerys Bourne (Careers Wales), Amie Field (Careers Wales), and Jamie Cater (Make UK).

Dr Barry Walters, Principal of Pembrokeshire College, and Chair of the ColegauCymru Strategic Work-based Learning (WBL) and Employability Group, ColegauCymru

Lisa Mytton, Strategic Director, National Training Federation for Wales

Grant Santos, CEO, Educ8 Training Group

4.1    The Committee heard evidence from Dr Barry Walters (Pembrokeshire College and Colegau Cymru), Lisa Mytton (National Training Federation for Wales), and Grant Santos (Educ8 Training Group).

7.1    The Committee considered the evidence received under Items 3,4 and 5.

7.2    The Committee agreed to write to three selected stakeholders for further information, following discussion of topics raised during the evidence session.

Rhian Edwards, Executive Director for Policy, Medr

Harriet Barnes, Director of Research, Innovation and Skills, Medr 

Sharron Lusher, Former Chair, Vocational Qualifications Review Board

3.1    The Committee heard evidence from Rhian Edwards (Medr),Harriet Barnes (Medr), and Sharron Lusher (Former Chair, Vocational Qualifications Review Board).