Extract from a debate in the Senedd on January 17, secured by Plaid Cymru. Video: Senedd.tv
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00:00 If we're going to fund them in the same level that we have done for the first three years,
00:04 then something else is going to have to give.
00:06 And we have to be honest about that, genuinely honest about it.
00:09 And I look forward to those who are sitting on the relevant committees coming up with that.
00:15 But let me just say briefly, Minister,
00:17 some of the scenarios painted by colleague Ike Henry suggest that because of looking forward in the year ahead,
00:28 immediately, because they'll have to actually show preference to people who are already in apprenticeship routes,
00:34 that could well mean a significant drop off, a huge drop off in new apprenticeships for next year.
00:40 What would your response be to that?
00:42 The other thing is because of the focus of Welsh Government on construction, engineering, health and social care,
00:48 then other areas might well see a drop off as well, because the money can only be spread so far.
00:55 Of course, I'd welcome that, but other responses to, he'll have seen the briefing from colleague Ike Henry as well,
01:03 responses to the genuine concerns and what this could mean for the year ahead.
01:09 But let's be quite frank, and I'm aware I've run over time.
01:13 This is on the track record of big investment over the first two or three years of this Government, over £400 million.
01:20 But the scale of the challenge we have is not an apprenticeship-only challenge.
01:25 Some of us went outside yesterday and we met with junior doctors there.
01:30 We are meeting day by day with homelessness charities.
01:33 We are meeting day by day with everybody who is saying quite rightly that theirs is a priority area, so is apprenticeships.
01:40 I have to say the hard reality of this is we need the money given to us to actually run these things, and when?
01:46 Then we will do it. At the moment, I would ask for the assurance from the Minister that he will work intensely and constructively
01:53 with all of the training providers and the colleges in Wales to get us through the 12 months ahead in good shape,
02:00 and meaning that we can get back in future with a Government at a UK level that decides it's worth investing in these matters
02:09 and across our budgets and supplementing our budget, we can get back onto a level kilter again.
02:14 Kevin Castle.
02:16 Thank you, Llywydd.
02:19 The interventionóand we share the urgency, absolutely, which is why we want this debate to be heard this afternoon.
02:29 But it is difficult for us as opposition parties, despite us asking time and time again to come up with alternative budget cuts
02:36 without us seeing the line-for-line details that we need.
02:40 So, when we have that, we can engage in a proper debate about priorities.
02:45 But this, for us, is certainly a priority, as I'm sure you share.
02:50 My contribution this afternoon is one that intends to draw attention to the impact that these cuts are going to have
03:00 on the health sector and its workforce, and particularly our rural communities.
03:06 The largest number of apprentices starting their courses in Wales every year are associated with the health and care services sector.
03:18 This includes about 43 per cent of all of the apprenticeships that are offered.
03:25 The cuts in the budget could lead to a reduction of around 10,000 apprenticeships starting next year,
03:33 a reduction of around 50 per cent.
03:37 The effect of this, as I've just mentioned, will be felt especially in the health and care sector.
03:46 Apprenticeships in the health and care sector provide specialist training for essential roles in social care,
03:54 home care, clinical healthcare and many other areas too,
03:59 and in a sector that's already crowned for support in the face of years of cuts,
04:04 cuts to apprenticeship funding is going to have a detrimental impact on workforce planning, recruitment and training for the future.
04:13 Healthcare workers' salaries are lower in Wales than in any other part of these islands,
04:19 and we know that our healthcare workers are leaving to work and train,
04:24 where there is better pay, better working conditions and access to better training opportunities.
04:31 And this at a time, for example, in August 2023, when the Welsh NHS was already facing 4,300 staff vacancies.
04:42 Now, what is the Welsh Government's plan to rectify this,
04:47 and what does the future of the NHS Wales workforce look like under this Government?
04:53 Well, the looming crisis in apprenticeships in health and social care highlights a wider issueó
04:59 that this Government is not creating enough opportunities for our young people to stay in the communities or to contribute to their local economies.
05:08 This is all of particular concern in the kinds of rural coastal communities that I represent in Mid and West Wales.
05:17 The impact of this drastic cut in apprenticeships on our rural communities will be particularly significantó
05:23 another blow to rural households and businesses already disproportionately squeezed by the current cost-of-living crisis.
05:33 Fifty per cent of total apprenticeship starts annually are outside the M4 curve.