Sector reviews

Vocational qualifications make up over 90% of the regulated qualifications available in Wales, and should reflect the skills that employers need. Together with our day-to-day work as a regulator, sector reviews form the backbone of our work with vocational qualifications, allowing us to focus on qualifications within particular employment sectors.

With every sector review we undertake, our aim is to:

  • understand the qualifications landscape;
  • hear stakeholders’ views on the qualifications and the qualifications system;
  • decide whether we should take (or recommend that others take) action to improve qualifications or the system.

For some larger sectors, we also aim to:

  • consider whether the qualifications, and the qualifications system, are technically effective and fit for purpose;
  • learn lessons from the qualifications systems of other nations; 

Our approach

We:

  • interview stakeholders (including employers, sector bodies, work-based learning providers, further education institutions and schools);
  • set up a stakeholder panel of ‘critical friends’ to assist and advise us;
  • encourage individuals to share their opinions with us through an online survey;

Our first four sector reviews covered broad sectors, which included many different subject areas. For these, we also:

  • conducted a technical review of qualifications (including learners’ work);
  • undertook a desk-based international comparison study.

Our planned sector reviews

Completed

To be arranged

  • Financial services
  • Customer services and retail
  • Travel and tourism
  • Hospitality and catering

Each sector review is different; the outcomes of one review are not necessarily the outcomes of the next. 

You can find more information in our Vocational Qualifications Strategy.