Draft Strategic Plan 2025-2030

To establish Medr as a highly effective, respected organisation and trusted regulator, shaping future ambitions for the tertiary education sector in Wales through collaborative working.

Medr was formed on 1 August 2024, uniting teams from legacy organisations, all of whom bring with them expertise and experience in their own field. Building capacity, developing a cohesive and effective team and creating a culture that fosters our values and inspires positive behaviours are fundamental to establishing our operating principles and demonstrating the way in which we will work.

Championing diversity and inclusion, we will become an employer of choice, supporting the development and well-being of our people, encouraging creativity and innovation within a dynamic and sustainable working environment. We will establish relationships with providers and other partners built upon mutual trust and transparency and, within the spirit of social partnership, collaborate with partners to achieve results.

We know that strong institutions have strong governance arrangements and understand our responsibilities as a regulator to ensure this is the case. We will establish a registration system for higher education by 1 August 2026. For other providers within the tertiary education sector, terms and conditions of funding will become the vehicle through which we exercise our regulatory powers. Our regulatory system, which will underpin all of our strategic aims, will include conditions surrounding governance and management; quality and performance; learner engagement and protection; staff and student welfare; equality of opportunity; the Welsh language; and financial sustainability.

We recognise the opportunities that Medr provides, through oversight of the tertiary education sector and our work has already started. We are committed to spearheading impactful change and from the outset will seek to improve learner outcomes and experiences. We will not shy away from open and honest discussion, knowing that change is required to realise benefits for individuals, our communities, our economy and society.

Founding commitments

We will develop a proportionate, risk-based regulatory system to deliver our strategic aims by 1 August 2026, underpinned by a higher education register and terms and conditions of funding for other parts of the tertiary education sector, respecting institutional autonomy, academic freedom and the distinctive missions of tertiary education providers in Wales.

We will revise our strategic equality plan to align with our people and culture strategy, to ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion is embedded across Medr.

We will define our position in the educational, economic and social landscape of Wales, establishing baseline data and information to create a robust analysis of current performance and priorities for improvement. We will engage with partners to identify opportunities and challenges across the tertiary education sector.

Growth commitments

We will consult upon a system of funding to support the needs of each part of the tertiary education sector. This will encourage clear learning pathways, ease of transition, flexible learning, comprehensive provision and excellent standards of learner outcomes to meet the overall needs of a coherent, high-quality tertiary education sector.

We will, informed by risk, monitor compliance with the regulatory system, looking to providers in the first instance to take responsibility for their own performance and improvement strategies and taking proportionate steps to intervene where non-compliance is identified.

We will review the way in which we collect data and information from providers and develop plans to improve data collection systems and processes that minimise bureaucracy and workload. We will comprehensively evaluate each part of the tertiary education sector and the overall position in Wales to provide a strong evidence base both for our own planning and decision making and for influencing government policy.

We will review how data information systems can be used to evaluate the alignment of tertiary provision with Wales’ economic and social needs. This will include scrutinising learner outcomes and identifying inequalities to inform improvement and will provide national and international comparability. We will have a presumption in favour of transparency, publishing performance data at system and provider level.

To focus the tertiary education sector around the needs of the learner – their experience, achievement and well-being – ensuring they are involved in decision-making and encouraging participation in learning at all stages in life.

Medr and the providers we fund will place the voice and needs of our learners at the heart of our decision-making, involving learners meaningfully in shaping their education, training and learning experiences. Expectations of learners are changing and the sector must position itself to respond to those expectations.

We will create the conditions that enable learners to develop so that they can achieve the outcome which is right for them. We will provide opportunities that recognise the diversity of our learners and we are committed to removing barriers to learning. Our providers will engage with parents and guardians to support learners, particularly where additional learning needs have been identified for our younger learners. We will work with partners to encourage well-being, raise the aspirational thinking of our learners and support successful transition into, or development in the world of work.

Lifelong learning is an imperative in a rapidly changing economy and society. No longer can learning be confined to time spent in compulsory education – learning should be embraced at all stages of life. The benefits of lifelong learning are well documented and go beyond economic advantage, with learning positively impacting on individual and societal health and well-being. Regardless of level or type of learning, whether learning for the first time, upskilling, reskilling, or undertaking informal learning within communities, all learning makes an impact. We have a duty to encourage participation and we will seek to provide an infrastructure that supports learners engaging in learning at any stage of their life, enabling them to become active and engaged citizens.

Founding commitments

We will establish a learner engagement code and guidance around learner protection plans as part of our regulatory framework by 1 August 2026, supporting the diversity of learners so that all have appropriate opportunities for involvement and representation.

We will develop a common framework for mental health and well-being by 1 August 2026, affirming equality of opportunity and strengthened by regulatory conditions to support staff and learner welfare.

We will set out regulatory conditions to promote equality of opportunity to increase participation, support retention, reduce gaps in attainment and support good outcomes for learners from under-represented groups, regardless of economic, cultural, social and organisational barriers they might face.

We will create a learner voice forum by 1 August 2026 and will seek to understand how the environment we create, with its supporting systems, can influence learners to participate and remain in education and training.

Growth commitments

We will seek to ensure safe and inclusive education within the tertiary education sector, using all powers available. We will require commitments from providers to ensure that learners have accessible, effective routes to seek redress for any issue which might arise.

We will work with learners and providers to understand how best to secure active engagement by learners in their own learning, making the most of all the opportunities they have to realise their own potential.

We will develop a system that encourages all learners to become engaged citizens, active in their community and promote opportunities for participation in outward mobility programmes. We will seek to ensure that learners and providers share their learning – especially from their research and innovation – with their wider community and economy and work with providers to determine how best the impact can be measured.

We will work with partners to promote the benefits of learning throughout life and set targets to increase participation. We will encourage access from groups traditionally under-represented in tertiary education, particularly those who may face social, cultural, economic or organisational barriers to education.

We will work with partners to develop ways to encourage pre-16 learners to transition smoothly to post compulsory education. Working with the Welsh Government and other partners, we will develop a system that supports a reduction in the numbers of people not in employment, education and training, setting targets which work towards the National Milestones set by the Welsh Government.

To create a coherent education and training system where all can acquire the skills and knowledge they need to make a real impact on a changing economy and society.

Education, training, research and innovation play a central role in contributing to the development of a sustainable and innovative economy in Wales. Globalization, technology, automation, artificial intelligence, climate change – knowledge and skills development must keep pace with the needs of a rapidly changing world. We will work with and listen to employers to understand the provision they need for their workforce and develop a system that simplifies access to upskilling or reskilling to meet demand. We want to support our providers to make effective use of changing technologies, so that learners are equipped for changing industries and ways of working.

The research capability of the tertiary education sector can support providing information for our education and training requirements, so that we can better understand future skills needs. Awareness of research and innovation will be promoted, results of research will be shared and knowledge will be practically applied to enable us to support a sustainable economy.

Our desire for a vibrant and sustainable society will be realised through engaged individuals who are willing to play an important part in the development of their communities. Our providers will encourage learners and will themselves promote their own learning and research. We want the tertiary education sector to be recognised as being creative and innovative partners in the building of their community.

Medr will work with partners to provide an environment that encourages adults in Wales to develop the skills and knowledge they need at any time in their lives, to lead a fulfilling life and make an impact on their society and the economy. This will require sufficient resource to encourage and sustain demand.

The learning environment is complex and we know that learning pathways are not always clear to learners – whether at the start of their learning journey, or as they progress though learning. Providers have told us that we need greater coherence within the tertiary education sector and we will encourage collaboration, valuing each part of the sector for its specific strengths, embracing diversity of mission. This will lead to more coherent learning pathways, enable ease of transition within the sector, provide opportunities for flexible learning and encourage learning throughout life.

Founding commitments

We will develop strong links with business, industry, Regional Skills Partnerships and providers to identify future skills requirements. Working with Qualifications Wales and other partners, we will use this intelligence to influence the skills system in Wales, ensuring continuous development of the curriculum and work experience to prepare learners to succeed.  Working with providers, we will promote an effective deployment of funding to meet future skills needs.

We will, working in partnership with the Welsh Government and others, define what the Welsh apprenticeship provision should look like to meet the needs of learners and the economy in Wales, promote strong engagement with employers and ensure rigorous standards of occupational competence.

We will analyse the differing applications of civic mission and engagement within the tertiary education sector, focussing initially on higher and further education. We will create conditions that encourage learners to be valued members of their local communities and engaged citizens, that encourage providers to share their learning and work with providers to determine how best the impact can be measured.

Growth commitments

We will develop a tertiary education environment which allows learners to learn throughout their lives, stimulating flexible approaches to time, place and support for learning.

We will foster collaboration between providers to create clear, coherent and easy to navigate learning pathways, which facilitate ease of transition, support equality of opportunity and, working with employers, ensure that we support pathways that will contribute to a sustainable and innovative economy in Wales.

We will review the flexibility of adult education in the context of lifelong learning and increased participation and consider how basic skills provision should be delivered to improve skills acquisition across the adult population.

We will support excellent quality curriculum provision to meet economic and social demand.  We will work with employers, partners and providers to promote high quality careers advice and guidance, raising aspirations for further learning and for career development in productive, well-paid and rewarding employment or further learning.

To ensure tertiary education aims for excellent standards, quality of provision and raises educational expectations in order for learners to achieve their ambitions.

Medr is committed to continuous improvement of academic and vocational standards and quality of provision and will create an environment and conditions for the setting and achievement of excellent standards of learner outcomes. We will monitor standards of learner achievement, success and experience throughout the sector and will use our regulatory powers to drive continuous improvement.

We recognise the impact that Covid-19 has had on education and training and on learner outcomes. We know that whilst there has been an improvement in some areas, there is still more to do, simply to return to the standard of outcomes achieved before the Covid-19 pandemic. We need to expedite recovery of outcomes and will work with providers to set ambitious targets for learner outcomes.

We will support the tertiary education workforce to access effective professional learning, exploring ways to share best practice and extend effective pedagogy across the whole sector. Avoiding bureaucracy and considering workload in our ways of working, we will ensure that the workforce can focus on meeting learners’ needs and improving outcomes.

We will develop systems that allow us to interrogate data and information to support evidence-based approaches to drive continuous improvement. To achieve this, we will need to make meaningful comparisons of data and understand how each part of the sector contributes to the delivery of our strategic aims and those of the Welsh Government. We will seek to position Wales as a leader in the field of tertiary education, training, research and innovation, establishing a reputation internationally for excellence in the quality of provision, learner experience and learner outcomes which meet economic, social, environmental and cultural needs.

Founding commitments

We will implement a quality framework as part of our regulatory arrangements, by 1 August 2026, which will include a focus on performance relating to learner experience and outcomes. We will recognise the necessity for arrangements that are responsive to differing parts of the sector and will build on relationships with partners – within and outside Wales – involved in the assessment of our regulated institutions to drive coherent oversight of quality.

We will consult with providers on relevant performance indicators, derived from baseline standards, to promote continuous improvement, recognising the diversity of our learners and provision, prioritising standards of learner outcomes and acting quickly where standards are not met.

Growth commitments

We will promote a clear understanding of what excellent standards of learner outcomes and high-quality provision mean in each part of the tertiary education sector. We will set ambitious targets for learner outcomes and experiences, acknowledging that measurements of success and performance indicators will vary with learner circumstances and in differing parts of the sector.

We will review how funding and registration models may influence the achievement of performance indicators,  focusing on the responsibility of each provider to set and deliver its own ambitions for continuous improvement.  We will establish ways of monitoring, managing and improving the performance of the tertiary education sector, intervening as necessary where performance is below threshold standards and using our convening and influencing powers to promote innovation and enhancement.

We will analyse learner outcomes to ensure that learning has had a positive effect on the futures of learners, the economy and society and allows us to understand how well the tertiary education sector supports Wales to advance its desired objectives, adopting proportionate interventions where evidence shows this is not the case.

To grow internationally acclaimed research and inspire innovation throughout the tertiary education sector.

Research and innovation make vital contributions to the economy and society of Wales. Our research and innovation systems are strong, but we are ambitious and we want to grow the scale and excellence of the research base in Wales, recognising our opportunity as a single tertiary entity to complement the focus of research and innovation with the development of education and training provision.

Collaboration within the tertiary education sector, with employers, the public and third sectors and communities, as well as international collaboration, will drive forward our ambitions to ensure that the impact from our research and innovation activity is fully exploited. We recognise the opportunities for a more systematic approach to advancing the multiple pathways between research, the economy and society. We will support areas of distinctive strength and expertise to build further on these in communities, regions, nationally and  internationally.

We want Wales to become renowned for being a great place to undertake research, receptive to new relationships, acclaimed for research that delivers sustainable economic, cultural and social benefit. We will encourage Welsh participation in national, European and international research programmes.

Founding commitments

We will promote research environments that provide a culture that supports integrity, diversity, inclusivity, well-being and respect, attracting and retaining the best researchers from across the world and supporting a more diverse and inclusive research base.

We will work closely with relevant bodies responsible for research and innovation across the UK and support our providers to gain competitive advantage, to secure a greater share of available funding from public and private sources, nationally and internationally, to grow the research base in Wales.

We will identify how we can use data to measure and demonstrate the impact of the research and innovation that we fund and review how we share our knowledge and learning within communities.

Growth commitments

We will encourage research and innovation activities that have potential for positive impact on the economic, social and cultural life of Wales, maximise opportunities for collaboration around the strengths of our research base and which demonstrate global influence.

We will promote a culture of innovation and knowledge exchange throughout the tertiary education sector and encourage collaboration with business, industry investors and government, to contribute to improving productivity within our economy and better contribute to providing a sustainable pipeline of skills.

We will work with providers to promote the opportunities for new businesses, including spin-out companies and social enterprises which are established, sustained and grown in Wales as the result of knowledge generated in Wales.

To encourage greater use of the Welsh language, increasing demand for and participation in, learning and assessment through the medium of Welsh.

Medr has a significant role to play in contributing to the Welsh Government’s ambition to achieve 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. We have a duty to encourage demand for and participation in, learning through the medium of Welsh and to ensure sufficient provision in the Welsh language to meet demand.

Our vision is to drive a tertiary education system that supports learning at all stages of life for the Welsh language and one in which the Welsh language becomes an integral part of the pattern of lifelong learning in Wales. We will plan strategically, in partnership with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol as our designated person within the Act, to increase and improve the provision and promotion of Welsh-medium education and assessment.

We will embrace our role within the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill. We will work with partners, including local authorities, in the development and delivery of Welsh Language Plans and will work with providers to offer seamless pathways for learners across the tertiary sector.

Founding commitments

We will develop a Welsh Language Strategy to ensure that Medr is a bilingual workplace where staff, partners and stakeholders can use their Welsh naturally.

We will work with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Qualifications Wales and other stakeholders to develop a national plan for the Welsh language across the entire tertiary education sector, enabling seamless pathways for Welsh language learning.

Growth commitments

We will monitor progress of the achievement of our national strategy over the life of our Strategic Plan, working collaboratively to assess progress, taking action where progress needs to be supported.

We will, together with partners, promote the benefits of learning Welsh in order that more people are encouraged to embrace the Welsh language and to develop their Welsh language skills throughout their lives.

We will work with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to design policies that promote a Welsh language ethos and culture within the tertiary education sector, that expand the proportion of the workforce who can teach through the medium of Welsh and that encourage the wider tertiary education workforce to develop their Welsh language skills.