Further to WQ82811, will the Welsh Government consider extending the WISERD multi-cohort study to track young people who leave school at 16 to enter further education, work or other opportunities, as a means of supporting the development of evidence-based policy?
Discussions are already taking place with WISERD about their work programme for 2021-2022 as part of the National Strategy for Educational Research and Enquiry. The potential for, and practical implications of extending the WISERD multi-cohort study to include young people who leave school at 16 to enter further education or employment is to be explored as part of these discussions.
Officials are also considering the development of several research activities as part of the Renew and Reform plan and to support the Tertiary Education, Training and Research Bill. Welsh Government will ensure to involve stakeholders and will publish any key findings according to the Government Social Research protocol.
Beyond this, the Welsh Government routinely links its education datasets to determine education journeys as learners progress through different sectors. The Welsh Government also participates in the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Study, which links education records with benefits, employment and earnings data from DWP and HMRC.