6. Statement by the Minister for Education: Support for Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Learners

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:59 pm on 30 April 2019.

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Photo of Kirsty Williams Kirsty Williams Liberal Democrat 5:59, 30 April 2019

Can I thank the Member for her welcome of the additional resources to ensure that we have period products free of charge in our FE colleges? The Member then goes on to make the point around the non-statutory nature of post-16 travel, and the Member is absolutely right in that regard, of course. I remember very clearly sitting on the committee at the time that dealt with that piece of legislation, the strong opposition the then Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones had to the statutory nature of post-16 travel—and he resisted it wholeheartedly, I believe, at that time—and I think we were on the committee together, and you will remember. Of course, what this Government has done is look to increase the availability of reduced bus fares for young people, not just those who are studying, but young people who may need public transport to get to work or to get to their apprenticeships.

With regard to the issue of part-time study, I'm not sure whether the Member missed the fact that we've seen a 35 per cent increase in the number of students we are supporting at degree level on a part-time basis, but, of course, there is much more to be done. It relates to the questions that Suzy Davies raised about different modes of study. Of course, this Government is also funding degree apprenticeships, which may be the right path for a student to be able to study at a higher level whilst working, and we're looking to make an announcement shortly on individual learning accounts to allow people who currently are in work, who want to study on a part-time basis to increase their job prospects, or perhaps to move into a different career, but need new qualifications to do that, looking to pilot a new and innovative scheme on individual learning accounts, as part of my agreement with the First Minister to ensure that Wales becomes a second-chance nation and that everybody in Wales has a right to lifelong learning.