The next Welsh Government should commit to doubling investment in apprenticeships to support 200,000 over the next Senedd term, says the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW).
The representative body for training providers in Wales has published its manifesto for apprenticeships which highlights research from Centre for Economics and Business Research that concludes that a doubling of investment for apprenticeships over the next Senedd term could generate £3.4bn in additional lifetime earnings for people in Wales over the next 30 years.
The manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to restore money cut from the apprenticeship budget last year and to introduce long-term, sustainable funding that offers equity with other forms of post-16 education.
Ahead of the Senedd Election next spring it says apprenticeships must be placed at the heart of government policy and calls for a vocational skills strategy, developed in partnership with providers, to determine what is needed to maximise opportunities.
The manifesto also calls for:
- A skills system that speaks to the aspirations of a Welsh economy;
- People of all ages and backgrounds to be able to retrain or upskill through apprenticeships, driving social mobility and inclusive growth..
- Increased funding for apprenticeships in growing sectors, such as green energy, digital innovation and healthcare, to future-proof Wales’s workforce.
- Apprenticeship opportunities in every part of Wales to support local economies, reduce inequalities and empower communities.
Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, said: “We have launched this manifesto to set out what we expect an incoming Welsh Government to prioritise in their policies and skills strategy to boost the economy of Wales.
“Our mandate to the next government is to ensure that increased investment is available for apprenticeships. We are seeking that commitment from all candidates running for the next Senedd election.”
John Nash, chairman of NTFW, added: “This is an unprecedented moment. We have created an ambitious manifesto for apprenticeships that should be essential reading for every Senedd candidate.
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“We are seeking a commitment from all political parties that apprenticeships will be at the heart of future Welsh Government policies to grow a prosperous and resilient Welsh economy with a highly skilled workforce.”
In the current financial year the Welsh Government funding for apprenticeships, including for junior apprentices, is £144m.