3. Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:36 pm on 3 November 2021.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 3:36, 3 November 2021

I'd particularly like to congratulate you on the emphasis you've given to the stand-alone powers to fund apprenticeships in the same way as any other part of tertiary education, because I think this really is an important step forward in the parity of esteem that we need to have between applied technical skills and academic and so-called intellectual skills, although, in reality, obviously there's much of both of these mixed up. But we need to ensure that BTECs and A-levels are given exactly the same status, and that vocational and academic skills are given parity of esteem. 

I just wanted to pick up on how you think this Bill will improve the accountability and proportionate oversight of tertiary education without some of the bureaucracy, because traditionally the academic governance has been conducted by the Senedd, and there's always been a tension between the academic freedom and the sustainable businesses that they need to be. But, equally, the financial and efficient and effective management by the university council isn't necessarily as good as it might be in some cases. How is this Bill, and the powers that the Welsh Government will have to intervene if they don't think that governing bodies are doing the job effectively, how is that going to be improved by these new arrangements, because, clearly, it's a very, very important issue for a sector that's hugely important to our economy and our well-being?