Views sought on post-16 education in Wales

The Welsh Government has set out the key challenges facing tertiary education in Wales and has launched a call for evidence to help address these challenges.

The paper identifies key challenges the post-16 education sector faces and invites the sector to answer questions on these areas where further insight is most useful to policy making.

These challenges include participation gaps, rising costs for both learners and institutions, demographic changes, competition between education providers and aligning skills provision and research to the needs of the Welsh economy.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, said: "The challenges facing our post-16 education system are too complex for us to solve alone. Universities, colleges, schools, employers and learners hold vital insights about what is working, what is not, and what is possible.

"We have already delivered reforms to the post-16 sector, including establishing Medr and maintaining our approach to student support, but we cannot ignore that there are further challenges that need to be addressed.

"This call for evidence is our opportunity to build on our progress, and your expertise will shape Wales's future. This is your opportunity to influence the future direction for your institution, your staff, your learners and your communities."

The call for evidence is open from January to March 2026.