Education

Minister announces ‘New Deal’

Published

10 years ago

April 1, 2015

WELSH ASSEMBLY Education Minister, Huw Lewis, announced this week what he has labelled a ‘New Deal’ for teachers. It comes after the recent Donaldson report that suggested far reaching changes for a new Welsh Curriculum, and from last week’s Furlong report that was heavily critical of current teacher training.

Speaking about the New Deal, Mr. Lewis said: “The New Deal is both an offer of support for the professional, but also an expectation that professionals will continually update their skills. It’s about building capacity so our teachers and support staff are given structured learning opportunities throughout their careers, so they can keep developing their practice and ultimately, so they continue to be equipped to deliver for learners and can meet the challenges ahead.”

The Welsh Government released details of what would be in the New Deal and what it would mean :

A Professional learning passport for practitioners, developed by the Education Workforce Council for September 2015, that will enable teachers to identify and record appropriate learning opportunities and encourage them to develop their practice throughout their career

Revised professional standards for the education workforce that set out the professional skills and knowledge required of practitioners to deliver a future curriculum and embed initial qualification standards in a career long framework

Welsh Government guidance and support to ensure professional development is a central aspect of new School Development Plans, highlighting individual and collective learning priorities for all staff.

Support for teachers to study the new Masters in education practice to ensure the latest academic research on effective teaching practice reaches the heart of the Welsh classroom.

Early next term the Welsh Government will be working with practitioners to exemplify a range of career development pathways and to identify the support they would value to support their progression through these pathways.

Support for teachers to access high quality learning opportunities through quality assured professional development.

A focus on leadership with the Welsh Government working in partnership with Consortia to develop new and innovative approaches to leadership development

Commenting on the announcement was Owen Hathway, NUT Cymru Policy Officer, who said: “We know that access to professional development for teachers has been a significant problem for some time in the education sector. Key reviews into the system have continually highlighted this as a deficiency in our approach and so it is very welcome that the Welsh Government are seeking to address this concern. It is positive to see training being placed on the agenda and that the Education Minister recognises that he has to get this right if we are to see long-term and sustainable improvements. However, while this is a step in the right direction, the reality is that for professional development to really get to the level it needs to be at in supporting teachers there does have to be a financial investment. At present it is unclear exactly how, if at all, that is going to happen through the New Deal project.”

Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said of the New Deal: “Welsh Conservatives support any actions to improve the professional development of teachers, but should be accompanied by moves to cut teacher paperwork and direct more money to the classroom. However well-meaning these passports may be, unless they are backed up by measures to give teachers the time and resources to undertake more training, they will not make a practical difference. We would directly fund schools to end the annual scandal where a fifth of the Welsh Government’s £2.5billion schools budget never reaches the classroom. We cannot expect teachers to be able to nurture talent and inspire their students to strive, if we don’t allow teachers to do the same by developing their careers. Continuous learning is a rewarding activity, which can help everyone, regardless of their profession, to develop skills to benefit themselves, their families and our society.”

Mid and West AM, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Education, Simon Thomas said: “We have had Labour Education Ministers since 1997 responsible for the education of our children and the First Minister himself has admitted they took their eyes off the ball. We (Plaid) will give our teachers and classroom assistants the time to teach so that they can focus on ensuring the development of core skills in schools. By working with teaching unions and staff, Plaid Cymru will reduce red tape and bureaucracy so that head teachers can lead their schools and more time is spent teaching children, rather than completing paperwork. The best way to spread good teaching practice is between schools, peer to peer. Teaching should become a Masters level profession with a focus on classroom techniques. We will develop one professional-led body to deal with Continuous Professional Development to take politics out of education. Plaid believes through excellent teaching and strong leadership from head teachers we can raise standards in the classroom. The high level of bureaucracy and micro-management faced by teachers’ means there is little time to innovate in the classroom and head teachers cannot take the lead in raising standards in our schools. A Plaid Cymru Welsh Government would set the learning outcomes to be achieved by schools but would allow schools to determine how to achieve those outcomes. There would be on-the-spot Estyn inspections for schools that have not yet achieved the learning outcomes set by the Government. This would achieve a more even playing field.”

Education

College officially opens ‘state-of-the-art’ Energy Transition Skills Hub

Published

14 hours ago

October 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire College is delighted to announce the official opening of its Energy Transition Skills Hub, supported by Shell UK, on the College site in Haverfordwest.

The Energy Transition Skills Hub is one of three being launched that will focus on providing people with the skills and knowledge to find employment in energy projects through an immersive and interactive learning experience.

More than 50 representatives from local industry joined Anthony Harte (Head of Social Impact for Shell UK), Paul Davies (MS), Sam Kurtz (MS), Simon Ames (Managing Director Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy), and College and Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams, as they officially opened the Hub.

During the opening Anthony Harte, Head of Social Impact, Shell UK commented: “We want as many people as possible to benefit from the energy system of the future. And we’ve seen this coming to life in Pembrokeshire with the first new energy transition skills hub. This is part of our ambition to support 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. It is the latest important step to ensure the energy transition is an opportunity for everyone.”

Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy Sam Kurtz added: “The opportunities offered to students by the Energy Transition Skills Hub match the ambitions that Pembrokeshire has in the green and renewable energy sector. This is an exciting investment and a statement of commitment from Shell UK, Dragon Energy and Pembrokeshire College into developing the skilled workforce of today and the future.

“Pembrokeshire College has quickly become a real centre of excellence, and I congratulate everyone for flying the flag proudly for our part of the world.”

Aiming to train 600 individuals by July 2026, providing Pembrokeshire and West Wales with a pool of talent that will have the knowledge and experience of control systems needed for projects such as offshore floating wind farms and the Haven hydrogen power plants. Current Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams brought the learner perspective to the opening: “The past four years of my apprenticeship have been nothing short of amazing. Whilst onsite I have had the privilege of working with some of the most experienced and talented professionals in the industry and spent one day a week in College where the lecturers are just as passionate and inspiring. The blend of practical, hands-on work and theoretical learning through my qualifications has been incredibly rewarding.

“Today, having toured this incredible new process control simulator, and experimented with the software, I can’t help but feel excited about the future. This facility is truly state-of-the-art, and it’s going to further elevate an already outstanding programme in the energy sector. I can’t wait to make the most of this space as I continue to learn and grow in my field.

“The suite will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineers, equipping us with the skills needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

College Principal, Dr Barry Walters added: “This cutting-edge Skills Hub will enable training in control systems for a wide range of sectors including: Offshore Floating Wind; Hydrogen Plant; Solar PV; Tidal/Marine and gas power stations and comes at an important time for the energy sector.

“We would like to thank Shell UK, Dragon LNG, the Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Fund and City and Guilds along with industry partners and local Members of the Senedd, Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz for supporting this important facility which will not only train college learners and industry professionals but will also support the local community and schools by giving them the opportunity to understand more about how energy transition will impact the way we live and work in the future.”

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens added: “I’m delighted that UK Government funding, via the Swansea Bay City Deal, is being used for such a great facility. Pembrokeshire has an important part to play in achieving our mission for clean energy by 2030.

“This training facility will mean that local people will be able to gain the skills they need to access the good jobs of the future.”

Education

‘State-of-the-art’ energy transition skills hub opened by Pembrokeshire College

Published

23 hours ago

October 11, 2024

Madeline Knox

Opening on the college site in Haverfordwest, the Energy Transition Skills Hubs is one of three being launched. It will focus on providing people with the skills and knowledge to find employment in energy projects through an immersive and interactive learning experience.

“Pembrokeshire College has quickly become a real centre of excellence, and I congratulate everyone for flying the flag proudly for our part of the world.”

The aim is to train 600 people by July 2026, this will supply Pembrokeshire with an expanse of talent that will have the knowledge and experience of control systems needed for projects such as offshore floating wind farms and the Haven hydrogen power plants.

Current Dragon LNG apprentice Kelly Williams brought the learner perspective to the opening: “The past four years of my apprenticeship have been nothing short of amazing. Whilst on site I have had the privilege of working with some of the most experienced and talented professionals in the industry and spent one day a week in College where the lecturers are just as passionate and inspiring. The blend of practical, hands-on work and theoretical learning through my qualifications has been incredibly rewarding.”

“The suite will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineers, equipping us with the skills needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

“This training facility will mean that local people will be able to gain the skills they need to access the good jobs of the future.”

#PoweringProgress

Education

Pupils across west Wales benefit from Welsh Water education programmes

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WELSH WATER has marked a ground-breaking year for its Education Programme, reaching 14,000 learners in west Wales between September 2023 and July 2024.

The education programme, which has grown since the launch of the strategy in 1998, offers a broad range of free and practical learning opportunities within classrooms. Led by the National Curriculum for Wales and tackling several topics, the not-for-profit company has expanded its provision across schools in the region – providing widespread access to teaching and learning resources.

The assembly and workshop provision, which targets formal education settings, encourages future generations to consider how much water they use, builds awareness of Dŵr Cymru’s role in the water cycle, and highlights the impact of disposing of items such as cotton-wool buds, wet-wipes and fat, into sewers. The provision also inspires an early interest is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), an interest in the water industry and demonstrates the breadth of career opportunities available.

The Education Team at Welsh Water has dedicated 155 hours to teaching pupils in west Wales through 96 school visits and 195 sessions, employing an industry-unique approach of annually seconding teachers for a professional development opportunity with the company for one year. The programme has continued to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from schools, who have praised the efforts to broaden pupils’ experiences, knowledge, and skills. All sessions are aligned with the four purposes underpinning the National Curriculum for Wales and are offered free of charge, ensuring a valuable and accessible educational experience.

Templeton C.P. School, said of their visit in March: “Fantastic workshop, children were engaged throughout. Fantastic delivery and excellent practical activities, allowing children to solve the problem independently and encouraged teamwork.”

Ysgol Croesgoch, said of their visit in March: “Interesting and informative. Great use of numeracy skills. Fun, interactive workshop that really illustrated how much water we use in a day.”

Claire Roberts, Head of Community Engagement, said: “We are thrilled to witness the remarkable reach of our Education Programme this year. Engaging with over 90,000 learners across Wales and Hereford is a testament to our commitment to educating the younger generation about water efficiency and the environment. Our innovative approach, including the secondment of teachers, has been instrumental in delivering a rich educational experience that resonates with both pupils and teachers alike.”

Welsh Water’s commitment to educating the younger generation about the value of water has led to a long-standing reputation within schools across Wales and Hereford. Since the launch of its education strategy, the company has worked with more than 800,000 pupils. The education program continues to deliver to tens of thousands of pupils every year, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills required to protect our most precious resource.