Cymraeg
Hwb

Post-16 learning and skills

The Welsh Government is working with key stakeholders to ensure stability for the post-16 sector during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overview

The Welsh Government is working closely with post-16 learning providers and our key stakeholders to support post-16 learners and staff.

The Renew and Reform Programme announced in June 2021, outlines our commitment to addressing the effects of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on learning and development, and improving outcomes (due to pandemic impacts) for learners of all ages.

The Programme will be delivered through four key projects:

  • Early Years Learners Project
  • Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Learners Project
  • Post-16 and Transitions Project
  • All learners in schools Project

The Post-16 and Transitions Project will seek to address those effects caused by the disruption, and improve outcomes for learners who fall within the post-16 and transitions cohort. In doing so, the project will build on current successes and identify relevant interventions to support post-16 learners’ wellbeing, progression and outcomes.

This page will be updated as further information becomes available.

  • Mental health and well-being

    The Young Person’s Mental Health Toolkit contains six playlists designed to direct young people, aged 11 to 25, to a wide range of online resources that can help you through the lockdown and beyond.

    In each playlist there are self-help websites, apps, helplines, and more to support your mental health and wellbeing.

    Keeping safe online

    Hwb’s Keeping safe online zone supports children and young people, parents/carers, practitioners and governors, with online safety and cyber security.

    Distance learning resources to support learner transitions to FE and HE

    The Welsh Government has worked with regional consortia, colleges, Careers Wales and many others in Wales to create online learning resources for learners in Year 11, to help them to prepare to transition to study A and AS level subjects in sixth form or at a further education college, and/or start vocational learning routes within the post-16 sector.

    The Welsh Government has worked with universities in Wales to create resources for learners in Year 13, to help them prepare to transition to higher education.  The resources, which have been developed by universities and colleges in Wales, are available in one ‘easy to use’ hub via University Ready: OpenLearn (Open University)

    e-Seren

    The Seren network supports the most academically able students in state schools and further education colleges to help them gain entry to leading universities.  A number of Seren Academy distance learning resources for Year 12 and Year 13 students are now available on Hwb.

    Welsh medium resources: Porth

    Porth is the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s new resource portal, offering access to a variety of Welsh-medium and bilingual post-16 educational resources. The Coleg is continuing to add resources to this early version of the website.

    Learning Welsh

    Information about courses (including online classes) from The National Centre for Learning Welsh. 

    The Centre also offers online learning resources.

    Learn My Way

    Learn My Way provides free courses to help individuals improve their basic digital skills and get online.  These courses are designed to help people access public services, banking, health information and more.

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    Open University free online courses

    The Open University provides a range of free online courses.  The following courses (available in English only) may be useful for anyone developing their digital skills to help with learning or with employment:

  • Blended learning guidance for post-16 providers

    We have worked closely with learning providers and partners to develop a plan for post-16 learning delivery from September 2020, which endorses a “blended learning” delivery model. This collection of material, developed in consultation with our Blended Learning Working Group, includes guidance on blended learning for learning providers and teaching practitioners.

    We are also developing material to support continuing professional development for staff working in the Post-16 sector.

    COVID-19: Support from Jisc

    Jisc offers help and support for its members with planning and response in relation to COVID-19. 

    Learning providers in Wales who are Jisc members should contact their Account Manager for further details about any Jisc services.

     

  • Last updated 22 September 2021