In the week when Vaughan Gething was appointed new First Minister of Wales, ECA Members in Wales visited the Senedd.
The event was hosted by Altaf Hussein, a Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS). ECA Members met with MS’ and Welsh education providers. The Parliamentary event came at time of heightened concern about drastic cuts to the Welsh Apprenticeship budget.
Earlier in the year, ECA Members joined forces with CollegesWales (ColegauCymru) to express their views to the Welsh Government and have also engaged individually with their local representatives on this subject.
This is the first ECA event of its kind in the Senedd and as such proved very popular, attracting Members from all parts of Wales. The event included insights into the Welsh Government, the introduction of the Welsh Assembly, now known as the Senedd, and the increasing Devolutionary powers.
The Senedd building, designed by the well-known architect, Richard Rogers, reflects the ideals of democracy in Wales, with transparent windows, local materials and an inclusive design. It is also an early example of an innovative sustainable building, reusing waste water and the ‘hot air’ from the chamber.
After touring the Senedd, Members joined the ECA’s Skills Forum Wales to discuss ECA’s Welsh Electrical Skills Charter. This will provide a framework of ‘asks’ from the new Welsh Government and ideas on how to collaborate more effectively with education providers. Lisa Mytton, Strategic Director, The National Training Federation for Wales addressing the Skills Forum said:
“It is really important for ECA Members to have a voice in deciding Apprenticeship frameworks to ensure they meet industry needs. The only way to do that, is to do it collaboratively - in partnership with education”.
Last updated 28 March 24