Welsh Apprenticeship Pathways report welcomed

[edit] Apprenticeship Pathways report

A new report, ‘Apprenticeship Pathways’ published in July 2025, recommends the Welsh Government should work with schools, colleges and employers to present vocational courses as a good quality option.

The Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, set up to hold the Welsh Government to account on specific issues including skills, opened a consultation in the Spring. ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) submitted detailed evidence to the Committee based on the Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter.

The Committee’s findings show that if the Welsh Government increases awareness and take-up of apprenticeships, this will allow people to improve their skills and earning potential, building a more productive workforce and boosting the economy.

The report recommends the Welsh Government initiates better engagement and promotion of apprenticeships as a viable education pathway. It also calls for barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled assessors and apprenticeship trainers to be addressed. Echoing ECA’s own position, the report also recommends faster progress in developing a vocational education and training strategy.

[edit] Recommendations in brief

The eight recommendations in brief suggest that the Welsh Government should:

1. Improve communication and cooperation between schools, colleges, and employers to promote apprenticeships as a quality option, possibly considering provider access legislation.
2. Explain the decline in apprenticeship starts by sector and level, and impacts on post-Year 11 options.
3. Identify barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled apprenticeship trainers and work with colleges on incentives.
4. Explore ways to improve apprentice pay under the fair work agenda (despite that they are not control of this)
5. Find funding to grow degree apprenticeships while ensuring value for money.
6. Provide clear, employer-focused apprenticeship guidance and simplify SME engagement, with Medr.
7. Accelerate development of vocational education / training strategy and regularly update the Committee.
8. Collaborate with stakeholders to collect and analyse comprehensive Wales-wide labour market intelligence.

[edit] The report conclusions in brief

The list of eleven conclusions are:

1. Persistent stigma against vocational education requires broad efforts to present apprenticeships as equal, clear, and impartial options.
2. Targeted, meaningful work experience programs, especially for at-risk youth, should be expanded.
3. The drop in apprenticeship starts needs further investigation and explanation.
4. Improving access to affordable transport, especially for rural apprentices, is important and pilot schemes should be evaluated.
5. Apprenticeship career paths need to be clearer and better communicated to learners, providers, and employers.
6. Junior apprenticeships are under review and linked to ongoing inquiries on post-16 education routes.
7. Stakeholder views on junior apprenticeships are awaited from related committee work.
8. Medr’s apprenticeship review should focus on flexibility to meet employer needs, especially regarding net zero and tech changes.
9. Employers, especially SMEs, face barriers in apprenticeship uptake including awareness, progression routes, and system complexity.
10. The decline in apprenticeship starts could cause long-term skills shortages affecting businesses and the economy.
11. There is concern about the slow response to apprenticeship challenges, risking missed opportunities in emerging sectors.

[edit] Industry response

Jeremy Parkin, ECA Vice President and Director of Powerlink Electrical Services Ltd., in Ebbw Vale, said: “We welcome the Apprenticeship Pathways report promoting apprenticeships as a respected and high-quality career pathway. Apprenticeships are the preferred route for training the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of our industry. ECA Member firms in Wales regularly point out the lack of attention given to trade careers and apprenticeships in our schools. We’re pleased to have contributed to evidence that highlights the long-term benefits of apprenticeships for both individuals and businesses in Wales. We urge the Welsh Government to heed the Committee’s recommendations to embed apprenticeships as an essential part of the Welsh social and economic fabric”.

This article is based on the ECA press release issue "ECA welcomes Welsh Apprenticeship Pathways report" dated 11 August, 2025 and the Welsh Parliament Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee 'Apprenticeship pathways' report dated July 2025.

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