What changes are being made to Skills for Wales qualifications?

Changes are being made to the range of Skills for Wales qualifications in 2026 and 2027, which will reflect changes which are being made to apprenticeship frameworks in construction in Wales. These changes will see five new qualifications for work-based learners, including apprentices, being introduced by City & Guilds.

Five new qualifications will be introduced:

The following qualifications will be withdrawn, as their current purpose will be fulfilled by the new qualifications:

What will the new qualifications offer to learners?

The qualifications will allow work-based learners to achieve separate level 2 and level 3 qualifications, beginning at level 2. Each qualification will be developed in line with recognised national standards to enable learners who successfully complete them to achieve recognition through a trade card.

Learners who successfully complete a level 2 qualification will be able to obtain a blue trade card. In bricklaying and site carpentry, level 3 qualifications will be available that enable progression from level 2 and the achievement of a qualification will be recognised at a higher level through a gold trade card.

How are the qualifications being designed?

The new qualifications will be designed to ensure they meet national standards, as set by CITB. Initially, the qualifications will be aligned with the requirements of CITB’s Recommended Qualification Structures (RQSs), ensuring that learners who successfully complete them will be able to attain a relevant blue trade card.

However, the qualifications are being developed at a time of change for the way in which the construction industry is defining and expressing what it means to be competent in a construction occupation, which is seeing CITB introduce new Competence Frameworks, as well as reviewed National Occupational Standards and new RQSs. We anticipate the publication of these new documents in bricklaying and site carpentry during the initial years of the new qualifications. This could mean that some updates will be needed to these qualifications to ensure that learners who successfully complete them can obtain a relevant trade card. Any such updates will only be made to align with industry requirements that ensure the value and continued currency of these qualifications for learners. You can find out more about CITB’s work on Competence Frameworks on their website.

Will learners be able to choose to start at either level 2 or level 3 in bricklaying and site carpentry?

No. To align with changes to the apprenticeship framework, the new level 2 qualifications are providing the new entry point for work-based learners in bricklaying and site carpentry.

The new level 3 craft qualifications will provide opportunities for progression in these trades, for learners who have successfully completed a relevant level 2 qualification. These level 3 qualifications will only be suitable for learners who have achieved a relevant level 2 work-based learning qualification.

When are the changes happening?

There are key dates to be aware of:

TimelineActivity
Late spring 2026Content for three new level 2 qualifications available in draft form
Draft level 2 apprenticeship frameworks available from Medr
By September 2026Level 2 qualifications fully approved by Qualifications Wales and viewable on the Qualifications in Wales (QiW) database
Level 2 qualifications available for registration with City & Guilds
Final level 2 apprenticeship frameworks available from Medr to register learners on apprenticeship
By September 2027Level 3 craft qualifications fully approved by Qualifications Wales and viewable on QiW
Level 3 craft qualifications available for registration with City & Guilds
Level 3 craft apprenticeship frameworks available from Medr to register learners on apprenticeship

Further key dates, including on the availability of each assessment, will be provided by City & Guilds in due course.

What does this mean for users of the existing level 3 qualifications in bricklaying and site carpentry?

Learners who are already registered on the existing level 3 qualifications in bricklaying and site carpentry will be able to complete their qualifications without interruption. They will be able to complete their qualifications until 31 August 2030. After this date, there will be no further opportunities for certification.

For learners who are currently taking an apprenticeship in bricklaying or site carpentry, but who have not yet registered for the level 3 qualification, they will be able to do so until 31 August 2026. After this date, no new registrations will be possible. Instead, the new level 2 qualifications for work-based learners in these trades are being introduced.

What does this mean for the other Skills for Wales qualifications?

Most Skills for Wales qualifications will not be impacted by this change. The following qualifications will continue to be available:

The Skills for Wales awarding bodies are also working to expand the range of pathways available to learners.

Will existing level 3 apprenticeships remain the same?

Medr will be reviewing existing apprenticeship pathways in trades other than bricklaying and site carpentry. Further information will be issued by Medr.

What new pathways are being made available?

To support centres and learners with access to occupational routes used in Wales, two additional new qualifications for work-based learners, including apprentices, are being introduced from September 2026:

Register for updates on the Skills for Wales website to receive updates on the introduction of these new qualifications.

Will the fees for the new level 2 and level 3 qualifications be the same as existing level 3 qualifications?

No. The new qualifications are being developed so that they can be used on new construction apprenticeship courses which are being introduced by the tertiary education funder and regulator, Medr. As such, they are outside of the planned scope of the Skills for Wales suite. Qualifications Wales is providing some support to City & Guilds to offset a part of the additional costs involved in developing and introducing new qualifications, but it is highly likely that the fees associated with these new qualifications will be higher than those currently set for existing level 3 qualifications. These fees will support the viability of the new qualifications, as well as implementation and centre support activity which City & Guilds will carry out when introducing them.

City & Guilds will release details of the fees as development of the qualifications progresses. Medr will also outline funding rates for programmes of learning which include these new level 2 qualifications, and registration fees will be reflected in the funding rates.

Will learners who are registered on an existing level 3 qualification be able to transfer to a new level 2 qualification instead?

Medr will provide information about any possible transition scenarios for existing apprentices.

When the qualifications are approved, City & Guilds will provide further information about registration processes for the new qualifications.

Will there be any recognition of prior achievement of assessments taken as part of existing level 3 qualifications, should learners transfer to a new level 2 qualification?

No. However, there will be opportunities for learning providers to recognise prior learning. This is because many of the same National Occupational Standards will be reflected in both the existing level 3 qualifications and the new level 2 qualifications.

Apprenticeship pathways to support construction apprentices

Welsh Government and Medr announce new level 2 apprenticeship pathways to support construction apprentices

Following engagement with construction employers, sector stakeholders, providers and learners, Welsh Government and Medr have announced the introduction of new level 2 apprenticeship pathways for the construction industry in Wales.

Qualifications Wales has been working in partnership with Welsh Government and Medr to identify how the existing suite of Construction and Building Services Engineering (CBSE) qualifications can be amended to introduce level 2 qualifications that would be included in these apprenticeships.

City & Guilds is in close discussion with Qualifications Wales and has started development of level 2 apprenticeship qualifications in bricklaying, site carpentry, and scaffolding.

‘There is clear demand for level 2 construction apprenticeship opportunities to be made available in Wales, and the new pathways announced are proof our commitment to apprenticeships is unwavering. The sector can be confident that Wales is building a modern, flexible and future-focused apprenticeship system.’

Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant.

City & Guilds remains committed to supporting the CBSE sector in Wales and will provide further updates as our collaborative work with Qualifications Wales progresses.

Read the announcements from Welsh Government, Medr and Qualifications Wales.

The Partnership of Bridgend College and Persimmon Homes in Wales Case study

City & Guilds and EAL’s new suite of construction and building services engineering qualifications in Wales have been developed by working closely with leading experts to ensure they offer a simple, clear progression route that equips learners for further study and advancement. At the same time, they help learners gain industry-standard skills and experience, supporting career development and creating future employment opportunities.

The qualifications are being delivered at Bridgend College based in Wales, in collaboration with developer, Persimmon Homes Wales. Students who have completed the Level 2 Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering have progressed onto the Level 3 apprenticeship with the developer.

Good for learners, employers and providers

Discussing the reforms, Angharad Lloyd Beynon, Policy, Stakeholder and Partnerships Manager at City & Guilds shared her thoughts on the value of the updated qualifications:

“Together with EAL, we are empowering people with the skills needed to gain opportunities in the construction industry. These new qualifications will allow people to forge a career in construction with clear progression routes.”

The collaboration between Bridgend College and Persimmon Homes started in 2017 with an initial intake of 10 learners and over the years that number has expanded to include carpentry and bricklaying apprenticeships. The Head of Curriculum STEM at Bridgend College Rachel Edmonds-Naish spoke about how the reform can ensure learners get even more from their studies:

“These new qualifications give learners a much broader scope of opportunities than what has gone before covering construction, building services and engineering sector. Instead of just learning their trade, they learn two trades initially, and about the wider context of what it means to be working in the construction sector.”

Carl Davey, Regional Quality Director at Persimmon Homes Wales has seen first-hand how Building and Construction Services Engineering qualifications have helped to home-grow the talented workers their business needs, ensuring a sustainable business model and retaining talent in this pivotal sector.

“We have built a successful relationship with Bridgend College over recent years engaging with students from full time programmes and offering the opportunity to advance into the industry through our apprenticeship programme.”

Betty Lee, an Apprentice Carpenter at Bridgend College added:

“I would recommend the foundation course to others because it’s a good way to get into construction and it’s also a starting block for you if you want to progress. You can go on to do level two, level three, or even go on to do a management course afterwards. I’m thinking about doing the management course, or even starting my own business.”

It’s fair to say that the future of Construction and Building Services Engineering qualifications in Wales is now in the very skilled and ambitious hands of its apprentices, laying not only the foundations for industry-standard construction but also better pathways for their own bright futures.

Skills for Wales newsletter – Spring 2021 issue

Welcome to our first Skills for Wales newsletter, the theme is Heritage Construction and includes:

The theme of this initial Newsletter is Heritage Construction.
Please get in touch to let us know what other themes that you would like to see included in this quarterly industry update.

Fantastic and Free! – On-line learning resources

If you are looking for interactive resources to help your learners understand old buildings- look no further!

Three modules have been developed thanks to CITB funded Heritage Construction in Wales (HECW) Project.

The modules are:

Each module is available in both Welsh and English and is aimed at an introductory level of understanding. These resources are free for you to use by clicking on the headings above.

Rare Roman remains

What happens if you discover rare Roman remains on the site of your new housing development?

To find out more about how archaeologists and developers work together to protect our heritage, read the full story.

Training for the Trainers

Tutors from Pembrokeshire College have joined the Tywi Centre team for the first in a series of five heritage training sessions. The tutors are all highly skilled and experienced but wanted to brush up on their heritage construction skills in preparation for the changes in the curriculum.

From September 2021 all new Construction and Built Environment students will be taught about the importance of historic buildings in Wales. They will learn about how their care and repair differs from modern construction methods. 

Topics in this series of CPD training include:

The courses are half day sessions delivered on-line. The Tywi Centre are also developing resources for the Tutors to use with their learners. If you would like to find out more about the Tywi Centre and their Train the Trainer courses, find out more on the dedicated webpage.

Short films to support heritage construction training

A series of short films have been produced by the Welsh Traditional Buildings Forum to support training providers with their delivery. Click on the links above to view the films.

The short films include:

Climate change and building restoration- what is the link?

There are many reasons for caring appropriately for our old buildings. These include cultural reasons as old buildings hold links to the people that once lived or worked there. They are the source of local character and a sense of place. They have economic value as they attract tourists and offer character and warmth to business premises. 

Early research also shows that appropriate reuse and upgrading of our stock of old buildings can make substantial carbon savings. Find out more on the dedicated webpage.

Specialist Heritage Training in Wales

Please use the links below to help you source the Heritage Construction Training and advice that you need.

The Welsh National Roofing Training Group is a non-profit organisation, funded by a grant from CITB.  It is in place for the purpose of supporting, organising and co-ordinating roof training at all levels for its members. This includes accredited heritage roofing training. 

The Tywi Centre is a CITB Accredited Training Organisation. It delivers a range of heritage construction courses. For details of their practical lime plastering, masonry and carpentry courses, find out more on the dedicated document.

Historic England Website offers huge bank of training resources from general heritage management, technical buildings conservation and climate and heritage series. You can also explore in-depth e-learning modules or learn about project management for heritage.

Building Services Engineering

For anyone who is involved in the installation of building services in Traditional Buildings, a wealth of advice and guidance is available on the Historic England website.

The Historic England website has a section dedicated to building services engineering.

Here you can find advice on condition surveys and investigations which are the first steps when replacing or installing new building services or planning a maintenance programme. There’s an introduction to the core principles when installing new building services together with advice on good maintenance of building services systems  in historic buildings.

You can also access a series of webinars delivered and recorded by Historic England on the theme of Building Services. These include:

We hope that you enjoy this newsletter, please get in touch to let us know what other themes you would like to see included in this quarterly industry update by emailing: charlie.evans@cityandguilds.com.