Inquiry to find out how young people are benefiting from Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure

11 November 2011

The National Assembly for Wales is asking for the views of young people to find out how they are benefiting from the Welsh Government’s Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure.

Passed in 2009, the Measure aims to ensure that by 2015, 95 per cent of young people in Wales are ready for higher education or to work in highly skilled jobs.

It also gives rights and entitlements to people aged 14–19 to have more choice on the sort of courses they could do and provides help, support and careers advice.

Now the Children and Young People Committee is holding an inquiry into whether the Measure is meeting its aims.

This will be the first time that any committee has looked at whether laws passed by the National Assembly are working properly.

“We will be asking what effect the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure has had on young people in Wales and whether this law has changed the number who choose to stay on in education or training,” said Christine Chapman AM, Chair of the Committee.

“We also want to know of any practical or technical issues for pupils, schools and colleges.

“The only way we will get a clear picture of this law's performance is with the experiences and opinions of young people who should be benefiting from it.

“That's why we have launched an online survey for young people to tell us their views and the information we gather will feed into the findings of our inquiry.”

Since 2009, the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure has been brought in in stages, based on year group and where people live. This means the questionnaire is only relevant to young people who are in years 10, 11 and 12 at secondary school or college.

The online survey for young people must be completed by Friday 9 December 2011.

Evidence submissions on the general terms of reference should be submitted by 22 November.

The full terms of reference for the inquiry into the implementation of the Learning and Skills Measure 2009 can be found here.

More information on the Children and Young People Committee can be found here.

The survey for young people to complete can be found here.