The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has today (19 August 2022) published figures for trainee teachers who gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Wales this August.

The figures show a total of 1,236 individuals qualified as teachers in 2021-22, either following a full-time course of initial teacher education in Wales delivered by a university partnership, or, for the first time, through a part-time or salaried programme delivered by the Open University Partnership.

Some key facts and figures about this years’ newly qualified teachers are:

Full-time programmes

• 1,131 trainees qualified as new teachers through full-time initial teacher education programmes
• 55.4% were primary trained
• 44.6% secondary trained
• 72.6% were female
• 86% were under the age of 30

Part-time or salaried programmes

• 105 trainees gained QTS through the part-time or salaried initial teacher education programmes
• 72.4% were primary trained
• 27.6% were secondary trained
• 81% were female
• 37.2% were under the age of 30

All initial teacher education programmes that run in Wales are accredited by the EWC.

The full results are available to read via the EWC website.

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has today published its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022.

The document, which has been laid before the Senedd, details the work undertaken by the EWC throughout the financial year 2021-22 and outlines its key achievements.

Despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EWC continued to operate to a high standard, fulfilling its role as an independent regulator safeguarding learners in the interests of parents/guardians, and the general public.

Highlights within this year’s report includes:

• the highest number of applications for registration in our history and in turn an increase in our registration numbers, in particular in learning support staff
• leading the National Education Workforce Survey in Wales, achieving over 10,000 responses
• the launch of Educators Wales, a new national platform to encourage recruitment into education within Wales
• received the highest audit opinion of substantial assurance with no recommendations for all five internal audit reviews completed in 2021-22

The Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22 are complimented by two further reports published today, the Annual Equality Report 2021-22, and the Welsh Language Standards Monitoring Report 2021-22.

2021-22 in numbers

• 82,159 education practitioners registered
• 14,964 new applications for registration processed
• 1,407 Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) certificates issues
• 4,000 Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and their mentors supported as part of the statutory induction programme
• 128,000 online checks made by employers and public
• 269 fitness to practise and suitability cases concluded
• 14,000+ downloads of the Code of Professional Conduct and Practice
• 450+ presentations and support sessions delivered to students, registrants, employers and stakeholders
• 35,000 registered users of the Professional Learning Passport (PLP)

Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

Overview: Annual Report and Accounts 2021/22

Torfaen Youth Service have been recognised for their high-quality youth work provision this week, receiving both the Silver and Gold Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales (QMYW).

The QMYW (administered by the Education Workforce Council (EWC)), is a national award which demonstrates an organisation's excellence. In order to receive the accreditation, youth work organisations must self-assess against a set of quality standards and pass an external assessment.

Following their week-long assessment, Torfaen demonstrated that their service was delivered by an experienced and qualified workforce who celebrated equality and diversity, utilised strong links with partners, were creative in their use of resources, and involved young people in decision-making.

David Williams, Torfaen Youth Service Manager said “It is such a wonderful accolade to receive this award and we are so thankful for all who stand alongside us to make this possible. 

“I am honoured to work alongside such an amazing team of youth workers who dedicate themselves, work tirelessly and commit to offering the best service we can. Most importantly though, this is for the young people who inspire, challenge, make us laugh and cry and allow us to do life with them.”

Torfaen Youth Service, who up to now had held the Silver QMYW, works with young people between the ages of 11 and 25 offering both open access and targeted provision. Over 2,000 young people have accessed the provision in the past 12 months, with many going on to develop their confidence and aspirations, achieved nationally recognised qualifications, tried new experiences outside their comfort zone, and made lifelong friendships.

Andrew Borsden, Development Officer for the Quality Mark said “Torfaen Youth Service have justifiably achieved the Gold QMYW after a robust period of assessment. The quality of the youth work on offer was excellent and the drive, enthusiasm and motivation of the staff on the team was infectious and inspiring in equal measure.

“The assessors were truly ‘blown away’ by what they saw and heard from young people and partners. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

For more information on the Quality Mark, including details on how to apply, visit the EWC website.

The next Council meeting will take place remotely on 7 July 2022 and is open to the general public.

More information here.