“By incorporating existing qualifications, such as GCE A-levels, NVQs, GCSEs and BTECs, rather than replacing them, the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification adds breadth to learners’ studies, while allowing them to pursue the specialist subjects that they might also need.”
Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Welsh Assembly.

Making an impact on our skills base
by Abbie Wightwick, Western Mail  23rd August
REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION

AS the new Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, I am proud to include the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification as one of my top priorities.

This year’s Welsh Baccalaureate results show that this new qualification is fast becoming a key feature of 14-19 learning in Wales.

Today, for example, sees the first ever foundation level Welsh Baccalaureate results, marking a key point in establishing it as the qualification structure for 14-19 Learning Pathways.

Last week’s excellent advanced level Welsh Baccalaureate results showed that the qualification continues to bed in very well.
I look forward to today’s intermediate and foundation level results, which I hope will reinforce that trend.

Last year my predecessor Jane Davidson announced that, following extensive, successful piloting and positive independent evaluation, the Welsh Baccalaureate would be rolled-out from this September at advanced and intermediate levels in post-16 provision. We are also piloting the foundation level Welsh Baccalaureate, alongside the intermediate level in 14-19 provision, aiming to roll this provision out from September 2009.

By 2010 we want at least 25% of post-16 learners to be following Welsh Baccalaureate courses. We are already well on the way to reaching that target. Forty-five new centres have already been approved to join the 31 pilot centres in delivering the qualification and from next month there will be some 9,000 Welsh Baccalaureate students in post-16 provision, covering every local authority area in Wales.
And with the foundation and intermediate pilot centres expanding from 18 to 34 in September, we are making huge progress.
In a week when the Confederation of British Industry has released results of a survey, which highlights employers’ concerns that learners should have good number and word skills, the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification is great news for education, training and employers in Wales.

It provides learners with key skills – the very skills they will need in higher learning and in the workplace. Higher education and employers are rapidly realising that Welsh Baccalaureate students bring with them the key skills and the attitudes that they need to be successful in their studies and employment.

By incorporating existing qualifications, such as GCE A-levels, NVQs, GCSEs and BTECs, rather than replacing them, the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification adds breadth to learners’ studies, while allowing them to pursue the specialist subjects that they might also need.
Another feature of the Welsh Baccalaureate is that its structure allows us to incorporate new qualifications as they are developed. For instance, we are keen that the new employer designed specialist learning that is being developed for the 14-19 diplomas in England will be available for learners, within the Welsh Baccalaureate framework.

We are working closely with the WJEC and with sector skills councils in Wales to ensure this.

The Welsh Baccalaureate already gives equal recognition to qualifications in vocational and academic routes. Incorporating the specialised learning and the project elements for the English 14-19 Diplomas will make the Welsh Baccalaureate an even more attractive feature of our 14-19 landscape.

The Welsh Baccalaureate qualification is a prime example of the Welsh Assembly Government making a positive difference for Wales. Our qualification is looked on with envy from other parts of the UK.

As more and more students take the Welsh Baccalaureate, it is set to make a real impact on our skills base and on our capacity for higher learning. I am delighted to be in a position to help secure this key element of all our futures.