8/1/2010

Centres offering Welsh Baccalaureate tops 200 mark
More than 50,000 learners will now have the opportunity of taking the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification thanks to the latest roll-out at dozens of new centres throughout Wales.

Education Minister, Leighton Andrews, has announced today that the number of centres offering the Welsh Baccalaureate is set to rise from 167 to 217 in September 2010, welcoming an estimated 7,000 additional learners.

The Welsh Baccalaureate is a unique Welsh qualification designed to better prepare students for higher education, further study and the world of work.

It combines personal development skills and existing qualifications (such as A-Levels, NVQs and GCSEs) in an award that is popular with students and highly regarded by employers and universities. At Advanced Level, the Welsh Baccalaureate is worth 120 UCAS points.

The Welsh Baccalaureate is a broad qualification covering three different levels – Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels. It is a grouped award that includes a compulsory Core, together with established qualifications like A Levels, GCSEs and NVQ. Learners are also able to incorporate the new Principal Learning and Project qualifications, which are designed to give students an insight into a particular vocational area and focus on work-based learning, often in vocational settings.

The Minister said: “Our Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification has been a great success story. Students, teachers, academics and employers all recognise the importance of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

“Learners at the new centres that will be joining the roll-out from September this year will have new opportunities that will stand them in good stead as they move towards their adult lives.

“Aside from giving Welsh learners the edge, those who study the Welsh Baccalaureate say they have increased confidence and improved ‘life skills’ as a result.

“The Welsh Baccalaureate provides skills that can be a springboard to further study or employment.�