Action plan aims to improve key sector

AN action plan to improve qualifications in one of Wales’s most important industrial sectors has been published by Qualifications Wales.

The regulator has published The Importance of Engineering, a sector review of qualifications in engineering, advanced manufacturing and energy following a detailed 18-month review.

The action plan includes recommendations for exam boards to bring the content of some motor vehicle and aerospace qualifications up to date and a proposal for a new GCSE in engineering and manufacturing to feature in the forthcoming consultation on qualifications to support the new Curriculum for Wales.

The review has also identified the need for greater awareness among young people of engineering and apprenticeships, particularly in schools, and to encourage more women and girls to follow engineering-related courses.

The report highlights the strengths of this key sector, including the strong relationship between employers and learning providers.

It emphasises the value placed on qualifications and apprenticeships in the sector and reports that most stakeholders are satisfied with the qualifications available. It also highlights some weaknesses and outlines a detailed action plan to overcome the issues.

“Wales has a proud history in this sector with companies of all sizes dotted across our nation,” said Qualifications Wales chair David Jones. “It is an important part of the Welsh economy employing more than 165,000 people, including those working for large companies such as Airbus, Tata Steel and Toyota.”

“We have seen this rich heritage continue with the opening of the Aston Martin plant in St Athan and the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Broughton, alongside the encouraging scenes of colleges, schools, universities, and local businesses coming together to develop PPE during the pandemic.”

The full report can be found at www.qualifications wales.org