The amazing economic spin-offs of FE colleges

Sharon James-Evans, principal of Cardiff and Vale College, on the vital role further education colleges play in the Welsh economy

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FURTHER education (FE) colleges are increasingly recognised as strategic contributors to regional development, workforce productivity and long-term prosperity. As institutions embedded in our communities and closely aligned with employer needs, FE colleges are not only centres of learning - they are engines of economic impact.

In Wales the FE sector comprises 13 colleges serving more than 105,000 fulland part-time learners, including more than 46,000 apprentices. These institutions are not only centres of learning but also significant employers, with more than 9,500 staff contributing to local economies. The sector's responsiveness to labour market needs, our reach across geographies and demographics, and our ability to deliver vocational and technical education at scale make it a cornerstone of Wales' economic infrastructure.

Investment in skills is not a peripheral concern - it is central to economic strategy. High-quality jobs, business growth and inward investment all depend on a workforce that is skilled, agile and employable. FE colleges provide the pathways that enable young people and adults to acquire those skills, whether through apprenticeships, technical qualifications, or degree-level study. As a host college, we'll be celebrating this when World-Skills UK comes to Cardiff next month.