Consultation on the Design Requirements for new Essential Skills Wales Qualifications


In this consultation, we are seeking views on our proposals relating to the high-level design requirements for reformed Essential Skills Wales (ESW) qualifications in:

Application of Number

Communication

Digital Literacy

Specifically, we are consulting on proposals related to:

  • purpose and aims of the qualifications

  • content (knowledge and skills)

  • assessment

  • qualification titles

We are intending to remove ESW qualifications at level 3 in all subjects and at entry 1 and 2 in Digital Literacy.

For each subject we ask a question about the impacts of removing these qualifications.

When developing the proposals for these qualifications we have considered the wider context in which these qualifications are used. For example, we recognise the continued importance of these qualifications on apprenticeship frameworks and as alternatives to GCSE resits for learners aged 16 to 18 who have not attained a level 2 outcome in GCSE Mathematics, English or Cymraeg by the end of Year 11.

We have also considered how these qualifications compare to equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills in England and Core Skills in Scotland.

Our approach to developing these proposals is also in line with:

  • our principal aims as set out in the Qualifications Wales Act 2015

  • our objectives in relation to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

  • our public sector equality duty as outlined in the Equality Act 2010

  • our requirements under the Welsh language standards

To consider the potential impact of our proposals for people living in Wales, both now and in the future, we have collaborated with, and sought involvement from, a wide range of stakeholders through our engagement activities. For each proposal, we provide a rationale which outlines the factors and thinking that contributed to their development.

We want to hear your thoughts on our proposals. Please read our consultation document and integrated impact assessment before completing the consultation below by 5 February 2026.

Before providing your feedback you will be prompted to register or sign in. This is a simple process that gives us the information we need to help analyse your responses. For an overview of why we collect personal information, how it is stored and may be used, please read our Privacy Policy. If you have already used this platform to have your say, then you won’t need to register again. Simply log in using your current credentials.


In this consultation, we are seeking views on our proposals relating to the high-level design requirements for reformed Essential Skills Wales (ESW) qualifications in:

Application of Number

Communication

Digital Literacy

Specifically, we are consulting on proposals related to:

  • purpose and aims of the qualifications

  • content (knowledge and skills)

  • assessment

  • qualification titles

We are intending to remove ESW qualifications at level 3 in all subjects and at entry 1 and 2 in Digital Literacy.

For each subject we ask a question about the impacts of removing these qualifications.

When developing the proposals for these qualifications we have considered the wider context in which these qualifications are used. For example, we recognise the continued importance of these qualifications on apprenticeship frameworks and as alternatives to GCSE resits for learners aged 16 to 18 who have not attained a level 2 outcome in GCSE Mathematics, English or Cymraeg by the end of Year 11.

We have also considered how these qualifications compare to equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills in England and Core Skills in Scotland.

Our approach to developing these proposals is also in line with:

  • our principal aims as set out in the Qualifications Wales Act 2015

  • our objectives in relation to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

  • our public sector equality duty as outlined in the Equality Act 2010

  • our requirements under the Welsh language standards

To consider the potential impact of our proposals for people living in Wales, both now and in the future, we have collaborated with, and sought involvement from, a wide range of stakeholders through our engagement activities. For each proposal, we provide a rationale which outlines the factors and thinking that contributed to their development.

We want to hear your thoughts on our proposals. Please read our consultation document and integrated impact assessment before completing the consultation below by 5 February 2026.

Before providing your feedback you will be prompted to register or sign in. This is a simple process that gives us the information we need to help analyse your responses. For an overview of why we collect personal information, how it is stored and may be used, please read our Privacy Policy. If you have already used this platform to have your say, then you won’t need to register again. Simply log in using your current credentials.

  • Consultation on the Design Requirements for new Essential Skills Wales Qualifications

    We encourage respondents to contribute their views to all the questions in this consultation that are relevant to their area of interest / subject specialism, including those in the integrated impact assessment. It is important that our proposals realise the positive impacts we wish to see and minimise any potential negative impacts as much as possible.  

    Following analysis of the responses, we will publish a report summarising the findings alongside our decisions before the end of the 2025/26 academic year. 

    Consultation
Page last updated: 13 Nov 2025, 07:04 PM