Industry Wales and Further Education: Collaborating to Shape Wales' Engineering Future
The Heads of Engineering in Further Education (FE) network in Wales plays a vital role in shaping the nation’s engineering talent pipeline. Their collaboration with Work-Based Learning providers and Industry Wales ensures that engineering education remains relevant, responsive, and forward-looking.
Together, these partners are aligning educational outcomes with the needs of Welsh industry—supporting innovation and delivering the workforce of tomorrow. Industry Wales is proud to work alongside these leaders to improve learning and training outcomes across the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Strategic Leadership in Engineering Education
In partnership with Welsh employers and organisations like Medr, FE Heads of Engineering are leading on:
Curriculum development – Aligning courses with emerging technologies such as AI, green energy, and smart manufacturing.
Quality assurance – Ensuring high teaching standards and compliance with Welsh Government frameworks.
Learner pathways – Creating routes into higher education, apprenticeships, and employment.
The Role of Industry Wales
As a key stakeholder, Industry Wales supports:
Identifying skills gaps – Offering real-time insights from industry to shape course content.
Creating hands-on opportunities – Facilitating placements and apprenticeships that bring learning to life.
Co-designing qualifications – Working with partners to shape training in high-demand areas.
Shared Benefits of Collaboration
This partnership delivers measurable benefits:
Improved employability – Ensuring learners graduate with skills in demand across Wales and the UK.
Increased innovation – Supporting joint research, new technologies, and upskilling.
Stronger regional economies – Providing a talent pipeline for Wales’ industrial base.
Key Recommendations
To build on recent successes, we recommend:
Developing strategic frameworks to formalise collaboration between FE and Industry Wales.
Creating joint advisory boards through Medr, Regional Skills Partnerships, Welsh Government and Industry Wales to shape national skills policy and delivery.
Promoting deeper industry engagement, encouraging SMEs and large firms to co-design qualifications and mentor learners.
A Case in Point: July 2025 Engineering Skills Conference, Pembrokeshire College
A milestone event demonstrating this collaborative spirit was the Engineering Skills Conference held on 3–4 July 2025 at Pembrokeshire College. It brought together:
FE colleges from across Wales
Awarding bodies
Welsh Government representatives
Local engineering and energy companies
Highlights included:
Company presentations aboard a vessel in Haven Harbour, where employers highlighted the need for high-value, multi-disciplinary skills in the energy and engineering sectors.
A showcase of Pembrokeshire College’s new Energy Transition Skills Hub, a cutting-edge facility designed to meet the demands of the renewables and energy industries.
Announcement of a multi-million-pound investment in advanced welding facilities, responding to significant demand from local and national infrastructure projects.
Participant feedback included:
“The conference and the boat trip the following day were really interesting—the scale of energy industry infrastructure in Pembrokeshire was eye-opening. Adding offshore wind farms to the mix over the next decade will make the region a national hub.”
“Bore da, just to say well done. Lots of effort was clearly put in, and the quality embedded in your college and systems really came through. Great to see your Principal so engaged in the AME programmes and apprenticeships.”
“Very interesting tour, both in the college yesterday and around the Haven today. Thank you for hosting. It was inspiring to see the opportunities available in engineering and construction for young people in Pembrokeshire.”
“The boat trip was excellent – it really put into perspective the scale of the challenge in supporting the UK’s energy infrastructure.”
“Good to have a chance to see your first-class facilities.”
“The event organisers deserve recognition and thanks!”
“This conference exemplified the power of collaboration between FE and industry, providing a platform for direct dialogue and practical planning around skills development and regional economic needs.”
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Expansion
Expand regional collaboration – Use the Pembrokeshire model to roll out similar cross-sector conferences across Wales.
Formal advisory structures – Establish regional engineering skills boards involving FE, industry, Medr and government.
Sustain infrastructure investment – Continue investing in facilities aligned with Wales’ energy transition and advanced manufacturing goals.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Industry Wales, FE Heads of Engineering and key stakeholders such as local employers is not optional—it is essential. Events like the July 2025 conference demonstrate how coordinated action can directly influence training provision, infrastructure investment, and workforce readiness.
The Heads of Engineering in FE Wales are instrumental in shaping a robust and responsive engineering education system. Their collaboration with stakeholders like Industry Wales ensures a future-ready workforce, aligned with both current and emerging industrial needs. Continued partnership is essential for driving economic resilience and innovation across Wales.
Wales stands at a pivotal point in its industrial and energy journey. The combined leadership of Industry Wales, FE Heads of Engineering, and industry partners will be central to ensuring the region has the talent, innovation, and capability to thrive.