What assessment has the Minister made of the potential outcomes of Welsh educational qualifications diverging from the English equivalents?
Qualifications will play a key role in the successful delivery of the Curriculum for Wales and to enable the opportunities presented by the Curriculum for Wales to be fully realised.
Qualification Wales have recently consulted on draft proposal for the new GCSEs which have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders including teachers, learners, subject experts and those who rely on qualification outcomes such as employers, colleges, training providers and universities.
I have commissioned a review into Vocational Qualifications in Wales which commenced in August 2022. This review will consider the steps necessary to significantly expand the range of made-in-Wales vocational qualifications to fit the needs of learners and the economy in Wales. The review of vocational qualifications is being overseen by a steering group of stakeholder bodies, chaired by a leader in the field based in Wales. The steering group will report to me with a series of recommendations by the end of June 2023. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Siân Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru designated member, as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
Throughout this, I remain keen to ensure that learners in Wales are confident in their move to their next steps, be that further or higher education, employment or training.