Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Education

Employers voice concern over potential cuts to apprenticeships

Published

on


OVER 60 employers from across Wales have joined together to call for funding for the Welsh Government flagship apprenticeship programme to be protected, to ensure the economic prosperity of Wales.
In an open letter, employers say that cuts to the apprenticeship programme announced by Welsh Government on 19 December 2023 will have a devastating effect on apprentices, employers, and communities, signalling very challenging times ahead for the FE and work-based learning sectors.

It could mean 10,000 fewer apprentices able to start next year, with the reductions falling disproportionately on young people, and those in the lowest socio-economic groups, the Pembrokehire Herald understands.

ColegauCymru has previously highlighted concern about the impact of potential reduced budgets across both apprenticeships and the wider FE offer.

Reacting to the announcement, Pembrokeshire College Principal, Dr Barry Walters, told this newspaper: “As Wales navigates turbulent economic times, colleges are the skills engine needed to drive economic recovery and much needed growth.

“It is critical that future potential inward investment is not damaged, and the budget decision is a huge gamble for Wales’ economy and communities. We would urge Welsh Government to rethink this decision to cut the apprenticeship programme.”

Commenting, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “We here in Wales are blessed with a wealth of resources when it comes to renewable energy, and it’s high time we capitalise on this.

Over the past few months, there have been considerable progress made in achieving long term capacity for floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea.

However, such progress can only benefit with a considerable workforce. With expert estimates stating that 10,000 new jobs are needed to manufacture just 1GW of floating offshore wind.

If we are serious about achieving our net zero targets, then it is fundamentally important that we push for the development of the right skills needed for the green energy sector.

An estimated 20,000 new jobs will be created by future Celtic Sea offshore wind jobs, creating a real need for programmes which will allow us to train the up-and-coming workforce.

I was therefore pleased to see that the Welsh Government has recognised the important role that apprenticeships can play as part of their Net Zero Skills Action Plan.

However, I am concerned about the potential impact that the proposed cuts to the apprenticeship program could have on this ability to train this new workforce.

If Welsh Labour are serious about tackling the climate crisis, then they must ensure that any more cuts do not impact the progress of their Net Zero Skills Action plan.

We are all running out of time, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that we make the switch to green energy now. Not tomorrow or the day after that but right now.

The UK Conservative government has shown how little they care about the climate crisis, Welsh Labour must not do the same.

Apprenticeships in renewable energy are already a possibility, for instance the offshore wind energy company Ørsted already has a well-established apprenticeship scheme for wind turbine technicians as well as providing funds for STEM-related training and skills.

But the clock is ticking and now we need action.

We need to lay down a realistic and sustainable action plan that details the types of policies we can develop for skills delivery and workforce development.

No more talking or making empty promises, it’s time to act.”

IMPACT ON PEMBROKESHIRE

  • Since 2019, there have been 3,320 apprenticeship starts in the Pembrokeshire area.
  • These have been in a variety of sectors, from construction to management and 1,380 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
  • From January 2023 until the end of Sept 2023, there have been 815 starts within Pembrokeshire.
  • Within that number, 315 have been in the healthcare and public service workforce.
  • With an anticipated cut of up to 50% new starts in apprenticeship provision in the contract year from August 2024, this will have a severe impact on the number of new apprentices in the Pembrokeshire Council area.

Further education colleges are fundamental to a fairer, greener and stronger Wales, but they need sustainable funding to be able to support learners and to deliver for employers. The combination of the cuts to the apprenticeship budget and reductions in funding elsewhere mean there is a perfect storm facing the sector as a result of the proposals in the draft budget.

Continue Reading

Education

Guide: Dissertation vs. Thesis: Differences and Similarities

Published

on

Students may confuse the terminology of different academic papers. However, the terms that are confused the most often are thesis and dissertation. These types of papers are similar indeed because they are written upon graduation and are pretty lengthy compared to ordinary home assignments. You may need to know the difference between these two terms to decide whether you want to pursue some degree or not.

However, the students should also differentiate between these two terms if they want to know how to find dissertation writing services. You can visit the link Thesis Vs Dissertation: What is The Difference? where you will learn the main difference between the two papers and will be able to order dissertation writing services for you right away. The link will lead you to the Dissertation Team website which is a quite reputable dissertation writing services near you and offers help with both, thesis and dissertation.

Dissertation vs. Thesis: Differences and Similarities

Many students find dissertations and theses similar because they may not have enough background information on two of these scholarly papers. Students who still study at schools or colleges may not delve deep into the terminology and think that thesis and dissertations are almost the same. While there is a piece of truth in it because all of these research papers are extensively long and require much time to complete they are still different. 

The difference starts with the period when the students write each of these research papers. Students submit a thesis paper when they graduate from their master’s degree. Nevertheless, to get the PHD degree the students need to submit that dissertation successfully. This is the main similarity you should know about these two types of paper. We will provide you with more details below.

What Do You Understand by Dissertation and Thesis?

To know how to choose dissertation writing services you should first know the terminology. Thesis and dissertation are the research papers written by the students at the end of the course or before graduation. They are written to show the student’s expertise in the topic and the overall field they are studying. Students need to include their unique research dissertation and thesis. 

Firstly, they need to research the current literature on the topic and analyze it. By analyzing the literature, the students should compile it in the specific section and connect it to their research topic. The literature review should also show the gaps which should be filled in.

Secondly, the students need to have their unique methodology and conduct the research using one of the methods: quantitative or qualitative. Based on the research method they should either interview a sample of people or use numerical data they gather to analyze some issue. 

As you can see, writing such extensive research papers is not easy. However, each of them has unique features and differences which we will discuss below.

Dissertation vs. Thesis: The Real Difference

As we have already mentioned there is a huge difference between thesis and dissertation and there are many factors contributing to how to hire dissertation writer for specific services. Let’s consider them all:

  1. Extend of research: To write a thesis successfully the students need to know how to analyze and gather the literature. In contrast when writing a dissertation the students need to provide new series and scientific concepts to the field.
  2. Length: the thesis usually does not exceed 100 pages. On the other hand, dissertations can be of different scopes and can even reach up to 400 pages.
  3. Country: the meaning of the thesis and dissertation is different in Europe and the USA. For instance, in Europe, it is possible to get a PhD by writing a thesis. At the same time, a thesis is just one step to getting a PhD in the USA.

Therefore you should also know the unique policies of education institutions and different countries to effectively differentiate between these types of research papers.

Dissertation vs. Thesis: Similarities

Students are confused about these types of projects for a reason. Now let’s discuss the similarities of thesis and dissertation and the person who is dissertation writer knows:

  1. The students need to write both of these types of papers in order to graduate from different programs 
  2. To write both of the papers the students need to complete a comprehensive research 
  3. Two of the papers should be written with adherence to the specific structure and use of the academic language 
  4. Professors require minimum plagiarism for both of these types of graduate projects

As you can see, you should have great research and writing skills inherent to proffesional dissertation writer to be independent from the type of paper you work on.

Where to Find Examples of Dissertation and Thesis

A good place to find examples of dissertations and learn how to write a dissertation faster is to visit professional writing websites. You can go to the sample page and look at how they have written a dissertation or thesis and to learn what is this dissertation writing services. Besides, you would also have the possibility to order help with your dissertation if you do not want to write this paper on your own. You can order help at the cheap dissertation writing services for you if you like the writing style of the writers on this platform and wish them to help you.

You can also find examples by simply searching online and looking at the papers submitted by the other students. Your professor can also provide you with examples of dissertations written by students in the previous year. 

https://app.originality.ai/share/qpytxvm8bfsz2wlu

Continue Reading

Education

Relationships and Sexuality Education curriculum discussed at County Hall

Published

on

A CALL for Pembrokeshire County Council to provide assurance that RSE education in the county was “both age appropriate and does not constitute grooming” was heard at County Hall last week.

In late 2022 a legal challenge against the teaching of young children about gender identity and sex in primary schools across Wales was lost.

Campaigners had launched a judicial review in the High Court against the Welsh Government’s new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum.

The curriculum was launched that September, seeing the mandatory teaching of relationships and sexuality education to children from the age of seven.

In a submitted question heard at the May 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, member of the public Valerie Sutherland had asked: “Given the legal challenge to the RSE curriculum by concerned parents against Welsh Government, can you confirm the council’s safeguarding team are happy that the RSE education provided is both age appropriate and does not constitute grooming?

“Secondly, given that a number of parents are unhappy about the content of the new curriculum and the loss of their right to withdraw children from classes, particularly in light of the Cass Review, how are you ensuring that parents’ values are respected and that trust in schools is not eroded?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham said: “The safeguarding and education team has been actively involved in develop age-appropriate content for schools,” adding: “In faith schools work has been done with each diocese for RSE”.

“Each school has developed a plan for RSE and shared it with parents and learners at their school, parents have been provided with information by their school on how to raise their concerns about the RSE curriculum following the decision to make RSE mandatory for all learners.

“Schools are working with families through the challenges that this brings; each school community has provided sessions for parents on the curriculum, parents are being informed and they have the opportunity to discuss this with the school.”

Cllr Woodham advised parents to raise concerns through the schools’ complaints policy should they have any concerns.

Continue Reading

Education

Senedd told of families’ struggles with new ALN system

Published

on

FAR TOO many children and young people are unable to access support under Wales’ new additional learning needs system, leaving families at breaking point, the Senedd heard.

Jack Sargeant led a debate on a 15,000-name petition, submitted by Victoria Lightbown, raising concerns about implementation of the additional learning needs (ALN) system.

He said the ALN reforms have triggered more petitions in recent months than any other subject aside from 20mph, with five being considered by the petitions committee.

Mr Sargeant raised Estyn’s concerns about inconsistent application of reforms under the ALN Act, which is replacing the previous special educational needs (SEN) system.

The Labour MS, who chairs the petitions committee, said he has heard harrowing stories of parents having to fight against a system that sometimes feels inflexible and unsympathetic.

Buffy Williams, the newly elected chair of the Senedd’s education committee, said there is enthusiasm for the reform’s core principles but too much inconsistency on the ground.

She cautioned that a new category of pupils, with lower level additional needs, is emerging.

“They were on schools’ old SEN registers,” said the Labour backbencher.

“But for various reasons – which include funding, workload and perhaps the flexibility offered by the new curriculum – they are not being recognised as having ALN.”

Ms Williams, who represents Rhondda, said 32% fewer children were recorded as having SEN or ALN in the 2022/23 school year compared with 2020/21.

She raised concerns from the president of the education tribunal about “universal provision” being wrongly used as a reason not to give a child an individual development plan.

Saying the Act needs time to bed in, Ms Williams added that schools’ ALN co-ordinators need more dedicated non-teaching time to do their roles justice.

Sam Rowlands, for the Conservatives, raised concerns about far too many children falling through the gaps amid a massive overhaul of the system.

Mr Rowlands, the former Conwy Council leader, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, said parents also report issues with accountability.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, warned that too many children and young people are unable to access the support they need.

She told the chamber she was moved to tears by stories of families at breaking point.

Ms Fychan recalled one parent telling her how they contemplated suicide due to the strain of constantly trying to fight for the support their child deserves.

“This is the level of concern in our community – support is desperately needed,” she said.

The South Wales Central MS raised concerns about “incredible” inconsistencies for learners who need additional support in Welsh.

She warned that disabled and neurodivergent children are being excluded from many of the things that make school fun, from school trips to Christmas concerts.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, her Plaid Cymru colleague, highlighted a sense of frustration and anger among parents stemming from dismay at substandard provision.

He quoted a letter from Blaenau Gwent Council to parents which warned schools “can no longer afford to recruit the required number of staff to support our most vulnerable learners”.

Hefin David, whose daughter is autistic, reflected on his own family’s experiences.

He said: “One of the things that happens when you have a child with additional learning needs, or ALN in your family, is that it isn’t a moment of revelation – it’s a slow discovery.”

The Labour MS for Caerphilly stressed the importance of educational and clinical support, warning that all too often the two are disconnected.

Dr David likened the system to a pinball machine that passes parents from pillar to post.

He said his daughter is clearly diagnosable and in the right place in the system, but: “The problem you’ve got is where the children have more grey-area diagnoses….

“It’s much harder for them to find their place in the system as well, and I know others have had that experience. That’s where we really need to pick up.”

Vikki Howells, a fellow Labour backbencher, stressed that the transition to the new ALN system is not yet complete, with phased implementation allowing lessons to be learned.

She said casework in her Cynon Valley constituency shows ALN must be a priority.

Ms Howells, a former teacher and assistant head of sixth form at Caerphilly’s St Cenydd Comprehensive, highlighted a Welsh Government announcement of a further £20m for ALN.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, called for educational support to be based more on need rather than a diagnosis.

The shadow health secretary raised examples of children aged six not getting a diagnosis until they are 12 or 13, leading to a delay in support at school.

Lynne Neagle, Wales’ new education secretary, said ALN reform was always going to be an ambitious, systemic programme of change and it remains early days.

Vowing action to improve implementation, she told the chamber her priorities are twofold: improving oversight and increasing consistency.

Responding to the debate on May 8, she said the Welsh Government has protected more than £50m this year for ALN reforms.

Ms Neagle said there are examples of excellent practice in Wales’ schools, with the sector embedding a new person-centred approach while running the SEN system in parallel.

But she recognised the challenges, telling MSs: “We do hear too often that the families of children with ALN have to fight for the right support and education – and this must change.”

Continue Reading

News40 mins ago

Anticipation builds for more Northern Lights as solar activity peaks

IN the wake of a mesmerising display of the aurora borealis last weekend, experts predict further celestial spectacles are imminent...

Crime18 hours ago

Arrest made following report of sexual assault in Haverfordwest

DETECTIVES in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a report of a sexual assault which occurred at approximately 10:00pm-11:30pm on...

Entertainment20 hours ago

Dolly Parton ‘tickled pink’ by curiosity about her Welsh roots

DOLLY Parton has expressed her delight over the interest in her Welsh heritage, saying she is “tickled pink” about the...

News2 days ago

Welsh Government ministers ‘economical with truth’ over Withyhedge

THE FIRST MINISTER couldn’t have been clearer. There was no room for misinterpreting his words. Andrew RT Davies, the leader...

Business2 days ago

Ascona Group announces rebranding of two west Wales sites

PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED Ascona Group has announced the rebranding of two of its Pembrokeshire service stations to the Valero brand. The rebranding...

News3 days ago

Puffin protection laws at centre of post Brexit row

The puffin, a beloved seabird and symbol of Pembrokeshire, is caught in a heated dispute over the UK’s post-Brexit fishing...

Crime3 days ago

Man sentenced to 16 weeks for theft from Pembroke Dock Boots

RAJ DOMNU, a 27-year-old resident of Scunthorpe, has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for his involvement in the...

Crime3 days ago

Milford woman ’caused significant life-changing injuries to motorcyclist’

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has appeared before magistrates charged with causing what the Crown has described as ‘significant, life changing...

Crime4 days ago

Pembrokeshire firefighter admits drink-driving

A COURT has told how a Pembrokeshire firefighter volunteer made ‘the biggest mistake of his life’ after driving at Canaston...

News4 days ago

As pressure builds, RML closes Withyhedge to fresh rubbish

THE WITHYHEDGE landfill site will be closed to all waste inputs, except engineering material, starting Wednesday, May 15. The company...

Popular This Week