Review to look at future role of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

A new group is to be set up to review the future role of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the Welsh Government announced today (Tues 2nd August).

Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has outlined how five years after the Coleg was established, now is the right time to consider its role and future development.

The Coleg provides independent oversight and support to the development of Welsh-medium higher education across Wales. The activities of the Coleg support the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Strategy and Welsh-medium Education Strategy.

The new task and finish group will review the activities of the organisation and make recommendations on the way forward. The review will inform future policy and budget decisions and, as part of the Cabinet Secretary’s Progressive Agreement with the First Minister, will also consider the relationship between the Coleg and the further education sector.

The group will begin work in the summer and its findings will influence the activities of the Coleg from 2017. It will consider:

• Should the Coleg’s remit extend to the post-16 sector (further education and work based learning), and if so, to provide potential options on how to take this forward.
• Is the current model and structure for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol appropriate and fit for the purpose to promote and develop Welsh-medium higher education  provision from 2017 onwards. If not, define the future role, activity and structure of the Coleg, or alternative entity, with full consideration of value for money and sustainability.
• What are the future options for funding the Coleg.
• Is the working relationship between the Coleg and Welsh higher education institutions suitable for the future.
• What is the role of the Coleg in response to the recommendations of the Diamond review and other recent policy developments.

Kirsty Williams said:

“Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol plays a key part in making sure our young people on leaving school can continue to use the language and maintain and develop their language skills for use in future employment.

“Following five years of operation, it is now is the right time to consider the role of the Coleg for the future. That is why I am announcing the establishment of a task and finish group to review the activities of the Coleg and make recommendations on the way forward.

“I will appoint a chair in the coming weeks and representation will be sought from key stakeholders with experience and expertise in the field of higher education, further education and Welsh-medium learning.”