Legislation – Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022

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Introduction

PART 1
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

1 Establishment of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research

2 Promoting life-long learning

3 Promoting equality of opportunity

4 Encouraging participation in tertiary education

5 Promoting continuous improvement in tertiary education

6 Promotion of research and innovation

7 Promoting collaboration and coherence in tertiary education and research

8 Contributing to a sustainable and innovative economy

9 Promoting tertiary education through the medium of Welsh

10 Promoting a civic mission

11 Promoting a global outlook

12 Promoting collaboration between providers of tertiary education and trade unions

13 Statement of strategic priorities

14 Strategic plan for the Commission

15 Approval, publication and implementation of strategic plan

16 Review of strategic plan

17 Academic freedom of higher education providers and staff

18 Institutional autonomy of tertiary education providers

19 Compatibility with charity law and governing documents of tertiary education providers

20 Guidance

21 The Welsh Ministers’ power to give general directions

22 Additional functions of the Commission

23 Dissolution of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

24 Transfer schemes

PART 2
REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION PROVIDERS

CHAPTER 1 REGISTRATION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION PROVIDERS

The register and registration procedure

25 The register

26 Registration procedure

Registration conditions

27 Initial registration conditions

28 General ongoing registration conditions

29 Specific ongoing registration conditions

30 Proportionate conditions etc.

31 Mandatory ongoing registration conditions for each registered provider

32 Mandatory ongoing registration condition on fee limits

33 Mandatory ongoing registration conditions on equal opportunity

34 Power to provide for further mandatory ongoing registration conditions

35 Commission duty to give guidance about ongoing registration conditions

Monitoring and enforcement of registration conditions

36 Commission duty to monitor compliance with ongoing registration conditions

37 Advice and assistance in respect of compliance with ongoing registration conditions

38 Reviews relevant to compliance with ongoing registration conditions

39 Directions in respect of failure to comply with ongoing registration conditions

40 Supplementary provision about directions under section 39

De-registration

41 De-registration

42 De-registration: procedure

43 Voluntary de-registration and de-registration with consent

44 Change of registration category without application

Registration decision reviews

45 Registration decision reviews

Fee limit statements

46 Requirements of a fee limit statement

47 Approval of fee limit statement

48 Publication of approved fee limit statement

49 Validity of contracts

CHAPTER 2 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND IMPROVING QUALITY

General quality assurance functions

50 Quality assurance frameworks

51 Duty to monitor, and promote improvement in, the quality of regulated tertiary education

52 Advice and assistance in respect of quality of tertiary education

53 Reviews relevant to quality of tertiary education

Assessment of quality in higher education

54 Assessment of quality of higher education

55 Action plans following assessments under section 54

56 Exercise of higher education assessment functions by a designated body

Inspection of further education or training etc.

57 Duty of the Chief Inspector to inspect and report

58 Power of the Chief Inspector to inspect and report

59 Duty to provide information and advice to the Commission

60 Duty to provide information and advice to the Welsh Ministers

61 Additional functions of the Chief Inspector

62 Action plans following inspections by the Chief Inspector

63 Area inspections

64 Right of entry and offences

65 Surveys and studies

66 Annual reports

67 Annual plan of the Chief Inspector

68 Funding of inspections and reports on further education and training etc.

CHAPTER 3 FURTHER ENFORCEMENT AND PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS

Intervention in the conduct of further education institutions

69 Grounds for intervention

70 Powers to intervene

71 Notification by the Commission of grounds for intervention

72 Welsh Ministers’ statement on intervention powers

Access to information and facilities

73 Duty to co-operate

74 Powers of entry and inspection

Warning and review procedure

75 Application of sections 76 to 78

76 Proposed notices and directions: requirement to give warning notice

77 Information to be given with notices and directions and effect pending review

78 Review of notices and directions

79 Decision reviewer

Miscellaneous duties

80 Duty to monitor and report on financial sustainability

81 Commission’s statement on intervention functions

Directions

82 Effect and enforcement of directions

CHAPTER 4 GENERAL

83 Designation of other providers of tertiary education

84 Interpretation of Part 2

PART 3
SECURING AND FUNDING TERTIARY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

85 Power of the Welsh Ministers to fund the Commission

86 Funding the Commission: limitations on terms and conditions

87 Policy on funding powers

88 Financial support to specified providers for higher education

89 Financial support for higher education courses specified in regulations

90 Financial support under sections 88 and 89: terms and conditions

91 Financial support under sections 88 and 89: supplementary

92 Financial support by Welsh Ministers for certain higher education courses

93 Education and training for persons aged 16 to 19

94 Education and training for eligible persons over 19

95 Education and training for persons over 19

96 Requirements on Commission when securing further education and training

97 Financial support for further education or training

98 Financial support for further education or training: further provision

99 Financial resources for further education or training: terms and conditions

100 Means tests

101 School sixth-forms

102 Persons with additional learning needs

103 Financial support for other activities connected to tertiary education

104 Financial support for apprenticeships

105 Financial support for research and innovation

106 Financial support for research and innovation: terms and conditions

107 The Commission’s other functions in relation to research and innovation

108 Financial support under sections 89, 97 and 104: further provision about terms and conditions

109 Consent for payments to collaborating bodies‍

110 Financial support directions

PART 4
APPRENTICESHIPS

111 Meaning of “approved Welsh apprenticeship”

112 Meaning of “approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement”

113 Meaning of “alternative Welsh apprenticeship”

114 Meaning of “apprenticeship framework”

115 Specification of requirements in relation to approved Welsh apprenticeship

116 Consultation by Welsh Ministers about specifications

117 Preparation and publication of apprenticeship frameworks

118 Register of apprenticeship frameworks

119 Power to issue apprenticeship certificates

120 Delegation of Commission functions

121 Ineffective provisions of approved Welsh apprenticeship agreements

122 Status of approved Welsh apprenticeship agreements

123 Transfer of copyright in apprenticeship frameworks

124 Crown servants

125 Interpretation of Part 4

PART 5
LEARNER PROTECTION, COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES AND LEARNER ENGAGEMENT

126 Learner protection plans

127 Complaints procedures

128 Qualifying institutions for student complaints scheme

129 Learner Engagement Code

PART 6
INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

130 Information and advice from the Commission and information from the Welsh Ministers

131 Persons required to provide information to the Commission

132 Powers to share information

133 Power to require application-to-acceptance information

134 Use of application-to-acceptance information for research purposes

135 Other information, advice and guidance

136 Research by the Commission or the Welsh Ministers

PART 7
MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

137 Instruments of government of higher education corporations in Wales

138 Articles of government of higher education corporations in Wales

139 Dissolution of higher education corporations in Wales

140 Duty to consult the Commission on careers services

141 Data Protection

142 Publication

143 Regulations

144 General interpretation

145 Power to provide for the Open University to be treated as a tertiary education provider in Wales

146 Power to make consequential and transitional provision etc.

147 Minor and consequential amendments

148 Coming into force

149 Short title

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 COMMISSION FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

SCHEDULE 2 TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY AND STAFF TO THE COMMISSION

SCHEDULE 3 ASSESSING HIGHER EDUCATION: DESIGNATED BODY

SCHEDULE 4 MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

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PART 4APPRENTICESHIPS

Introductory

111Meaning of “approved Welsh apprenticeship”

(1)

An approved Welsh apprenticeship is an arrangement that falls within subsections (2), (3) and (4).

(2)

The arrangement—

(a)

takes place under an approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement, or

(b)

is an alternative Welsh apprenticeship.

(3)

The work undertaken by virtue of the arrangement takes place wholly or mainly in Wales.

(4)

The arrangement satisfies any conditions specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(5)

This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I1S. 111 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

112Meaning of “approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement”

(1)

An approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement is an agreement which—

(a)

provides for a person (“the apprentice”) to work for another person for reward in an occupation for which an apprenticeship framework published under section 117 is in force at the time the agreement is made,

(b)

provides for the apprentice to receive training in order to assist the apprentice to meet the requirements specified in the apprenticeship framework, and

(c)

satisfies any other conditions specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(2)

This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I2S. 112 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

113Meaning of “alternative Welsh apprenticeship”

(1)

An alternative Welsh apprenticeship is an arrangement, under which a person works, which is of a kind described in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(2)

Regulations under subsection (1) may, for example, describe arrangements which relate to cases where a person—

(a)

works otherwise than for another person;

(b)

works otherwise than for reward.

(3)

This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I3S. 113 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

114Meaning of “apprenticeship framework”

(1)

An apprenticeship framework is a document that specifies requirements for the completion of approved Welsh apprenticeships in an occupation or a group of occupations, which may include (but are not limited to) requirements relating to—

(a)

standards of attainment;

(b)

qualifications;

(c)

the type or amount of training undertaken.

(2)

This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I4S. 114 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

Functions of the Welsh Ministers

115Specification of requirements in relation to approved Welsh apprenticeship

(1)

The Welsh Ministers may specify requirements in relation to approved Welsh apprenticeships for the purposes of this Part.

(2)

A requirement may relate to the content of apprenticeship frameworks, including (but not limited to)—

(a)

specification of the occupational sectors to which the occupation or group of occupations covered by an apprenticeship framework must relate;

(b)

general standards of attainment needed for completion of approved Welsh apprenticeships;

(c)

the type of qualifications needed for completion of approved Welsh apprenticeships;

(d)

the type or amount of training needed for completion of approved Welsh apprenticeships.

(3)

A requirement may relate to the preparation, revision, withdrawal or publication of an apprenticeship framework, including (but not limited to)—

(a)

the way in which an apprenticeship framework is prepared, revised, withdrawn or published;

(b)

the matters that must be taken into account in preparing, revising or withdrawing an apprenticeship framework.

(4)

A requirement may relate to approved Welsh apprenticeships generally or approved Welsh apprenticeships in one or more occupations.

(5)

The Welsh Ministers may—

(a)

revise or withdraw a requirement by further specification of a requirement;

(b)

withdraw a requirement by publishing a notice of its withdrawal.

(6)

A requirement specified under this section (including a revision and a specification that includes a withdrawal) must be published.

(7)

A requirement specified under this section (including a revision) and the withdrawal of a requirement (whether by notice or further specification of a requirement) must state the date on which it comes into force.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I5S. 115 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

116Consultation by Welsh Ministers about specifications

(1)

Before taking any action mentioned in subsection (2), the Welsh Ministers must consult—

(a)

the Commission, and

(b)

such other persons as they consider appropriate.

(2)

The actions are—

(a)

specifying a requirement under section 115 (including revised requirements);

(b)

withdrawing a requirement under section 115.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I6S. 116 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

Functions of the Commission

117Preparation and publication of apprenticeship frameworks

(1)

The Commission may prepare or secure the preparation of apprenticeship frameworks.

(2)

The Commission may publish apprenticeship frameworks prepared by itself or by other persons (whether or not the Commission secured their preparation).

(3)

An apprenticeship framework published under this section must comply with any requirements specified under section 115.

(4)

An apprenticeship framework may specify requirements at different levels of attainment for the same occupation or group of occupations, either within the same apprenticeship framework or in separate frameworks.

(5)

An apprenticeship framework may include any material relevant to an approved Welsh apprenticeship in the occupation or group of occupations to which the framework relates or to approved Welsh apprenticeships generally.

(6)

The Commission must make arrangements to keep under review each published apprenticeship framework with a view to determining whether the framework ought to be revised or withdrawn.

(7)

The Commission may—

(a)

publish a revised version of an apprenticeship framework, or

(b)

withdraw an apprenticeship framework (with or without publishing another in its place).

(8)

An apprenticeship framework published under this section must state the date on which it comes into force.

(9)

References to an apprenticeship framework in this section include a revised framework.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I7S. 117 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

118Register of apprenticeship frameworks

(1)

The Commission must maintain a register of the apprenticeship frameworks published under section 117.

(2)

In respect of each apprenticeship framework (including any revised framework), the register must include details of when it comes into force.

(3)

Where a revised framework is included in the register, the register must include a general description of the cases to which the revised framework applies.

(4)

Where an apprenticeship framework has been withdrawn, the register must include details of when the withdrawal comes into force and a general description of the cases to which the withdrawal applies.

(5)

The Commission must publish the register.

(6)

The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, require the Commission to include other information in the register relating to approved Welsh apprenticeships.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I8S. 118 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

119Power to issue apprenticeship certificates

(1)

The Commission may issue a certificate (“an apprenticeship certificate”) in respect of a person who applies for it, if it appears to the Commission that the person has completed an approved Welsh apprenticeship.

(2)

The Commission may, following an application, supply a copy of an apprenticeship certificate to a person in respect of whom the certificate was issued.

(3)

The Commission may determine—

(a)

the way in which applications for certificates or copies of certificates must be made;

(b)

the contents of certificates.

(4)

The Commission may charge a fee for issuing an apprenticeship certificate or supplying a copy of it only if, and to the extent that, the charging of the fee is authorised by regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I9S. 119 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

120Delegation of Commission functions

(1)

The functions of the Commission under section 117(2) or 119 may be exercised by a person designated by the Commission.

(2)

A designation under this section may be for some or all purposes of the function.

(3)

A person designated under this section must—

(a)

comply with directions given by the Commission, and

(b)

have regard to guidance given by the Commission.

(4)

A designation under this section may be revoked.

(5)

The delegation of a function does not affect—

(a)

the Commission’s ability to exercise the function, or

(b)

the Commission’s responsibility for the exercise of the function.

(6)

The Commission may pay to any person by whom any function is exercisable by virtue of subsection (1)—

(a)

amounts it considers appropriate for the purpose of meeting expenditure incurred or to be incurred by that person in, or in connection with, the exercise of that function;

(b)

such remuneration as it may determine.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I10S. 120 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

Supplementary provisions about apprenticeship agreements

121Ineffective provisions of approved Welsh apprenticeship agreements

(1)

If an agreement—

(a)

contains provision that satisfies the conditions mentioned in section 112(1)(a) to (c), but

(b)

also contains provision that is inconsistent with those conditions,

the other provision is to be treated as having no effect.

(2)

Before an agreement that satisfies the conditions mentioned in section 112(1)(a) to (c) is varied in such a way that it no longer satisfies one or more of those conditions, the person for whom the apprentice is working must give the apprentice a notice.

(3)

The notice must explain that if the variation takes effect the agreement will cease to be an approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement.

(4)

If an agreement is varied in breach of the requirement in subsection (2), the variation has no effect.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I11S. 121 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

122Status of approved Welsh apprenticeship agreements

(1)

To the extent that it would otherwise be treated as being a contract of apprenticeship, an approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement is to be treated as not being a contract of apprenticeship.

(2)

To the extent that it would not otherwise be treated as being a contract of service, an approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement is to be treated as being a contract of service.

(3)

This section applies for the purposes of any enactment or rule of law.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I12S. 122 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

(1)

This section applies where an apprenticeship framework is—

(a)

prepared by a person other than the Commission, and

(b)

published by the Commission under section 117(2) with the agreement of the person who, immediately before publication, is entitled to any right or interest in any copyright in the framework.

(2)

The right or interest is, by virtue of this section, transferred from that person to the Commission on publication.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I13S. 123 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

124Crown servants

(1)

This Part applies in relation to an agreement under which a person undertakes Crown employment as it applies in relation to any other agreement under which a person undertakes to work for another.

(2)

Subsection (1) is subject to subsection (3) and to any modifications which may be provided for under subsection (5).

(3)

Section 122(2) does not apply in relation to an approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement that is an agreement within subsection (1).

(4)

Without prejudice to section 143(2), the power conferred by section 112(1)(c) may be exercised, in particular, to make provision in relation to an apprenticeship agreement which is an agreement within subsection (1) that differs from provision made in relation to other agreements under which a person is to work for another.

(5)

The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, provide for any provision of this Part to apply with modifications in relation to—

(a)

an agreement within subsection (1), or

(b)

a person working, or proposing to work, under such an agreement.

(6)

In subsection (1), “Crown employment” means employment under or for the purposes of the Welsh Government, a United Kingdom Government department or any officer or body exercising on behalf of the Crown functions conferred by a statutory provision (but does not include service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown).

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I14S. 124 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)

General

125Interpretation of Part 4

In this Part—

apprenticeship certificate” (“tystysgrif brentisiaeth”) means a certificate issued section 119;

apprenticeship framework” (“fframwaith prentisiaeth”) has the meaning given by section 114;

approved Welsh apprenticeship” (“prentisiaeth Gymreig gymeradwy”) has the meaning given by section 111;

approved Welsh apprenticeship agreement” (“cytundeb prentisiaeth Gymreig gymeradwy”) has the meaning given by section 112.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I15S. 125 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 148(2)