Part of 4. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 4:12 pm on 14 March 2023.
The Minister will know from his visits around Wales that some pupils don't engage with the traditional curriculum and with traditional education. But providing opportunities such as construction skills is a way in to a productive future career, and sometimes quite a lucrative career as well, with skills such as carpentry and bricklaying and plumbing and so on. So, will he join me in welcoming the work that's been done at places such as the Maesteg centre for construction excellence, which has linked with Maesteg comprehensive school to develop those opportunities for young people with level 1 qualifications that could then lead to junior apprenticeships or on to foundation courses in those areas? It's vitally important that we support these, not just in the Llynfi valley, but throughout Wales, because we will need these skills, we will need these young people constructively engaged as they go through school, and, if it isn't the traditional curriculum, then giving these opportunities is a really great way forward. So, how can he give more support to these non-traditional routes to engage with young people?