Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion.

Wales is at the forefront of ensuring greater coherence and recognising the contribution that the whole education workforce makes to learners in Wales. I’m sure Members will agree that the registration of the wider educational workforce is good news as it provides the reassurances that the workforce is deemed suitable for registration. The registration of youth workers, youth support workers and work-based learning practitioners is phase 3 of registration of the education sector and will set a registration requirement for these new practitioners from 1 April 2017 with the Education Workforce Council.

A consultation held earlier this year sought views on proposals for the registration of these new categories of practitioners, which received the overwhelming support of those who took the time and effort to respond, and I thank all those that did. There were concerns raised that registration could potentially impact on youth-sector volunteers who give up their free time to work within the sector. This will not be the case. However, the Order does allow for an individual to register on a voluntary basis, provided they meet the necessary criteria set out in the Order and are content to pay the associated registration fee.

The registration of these new groups with the Education Workforce Council will strengthen their profile in ways that are supportive, that will recognise the value of their work and the contributions that they make in the lives of young people.