A number of changes have today (10 May 2024) come into effect for those working in education across Wales, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) has announced.

The first of those changes sees the addition of two new registration categories to the EWC’s Register of Education Practitioners:

• those employed as principals, or senior leaders (directly managing teaching and learning), in FE institutions
• practitioners of community-based adult learning (employed by local authorities)

They join the existing 11 categories currently required to register with the EWC before they begin working in Wales.

The second change introduces minimum qualifications for those working as FE teachers and adult learning practitioners. The full list of minimum qualifications accepted can be found on the EWC’s website. Those who do not currently have these qualifications have three years to do so (five years if employed on a part-time basis).

The changes follow a public consultation, run by the Welsh Government, between September and November 2023, and help close anomalies in the current legislation.

In order to work as an education practitioner in Wales, individuals working in certain roles must first be registered with the EWC.

Hayden Llewellyn, Chief Executive of the EWC said “Registration and minimum qualifications are common practice in regulated professions including medicine, law, and social work. It means that only those who uphold a high standard of conduct, and are competent, knowledgeable, and skilled are able to work in certain roles.

“As the independent, professional regulator for the education workforce in Wales, these changes give us a wider remit to safeguard learners, young people, and parents/guardians, whilst maintaining public trust and confidence.”

Those required to register under the changes will have been automatically registered via their employer.

If you would like to find out more information about registration with the EWC, visit the website.