Senedd Report Highlights Barriers to Apprenticeships – WeGetDesign Brings SME Voice to the Table
Cardiff-based creative software agency WeGetDesign has contributed written evidence to the Welsh Parliament’s Apprenticeship Pathways report, published on the 31st July 2025, which outlines urgent reforms to improve vocational education across Wales.
The report, produced by the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, draws on evidence from employers, educators, learners, and skills partnerships. WeGetDesign’s submission (Ref: AP09) provided a practical employer perspective from the digital sector, emphasising the barriers SMEs face in engaging with apprenticeships—and proposing clear, actionable solutions.
“Our experience reflects both the opportunities and challenges that exist for SMEs wanting to offer apprenticeships,” said Omar Moulani, founder of WeGetDesign. “We were pleased to contribute to this important national conversation.”
A Call for Reform
This report sets out eight recommendations and ten conclusions aimed at demystifying the apprenticeship pathway and supporting people to choose the best educational path. The recommendations include:
- Ensuring schools and colleges work together to help young people understand the vocational pathway,
- Improving recruitment and retention of trainers and assessors,
- Upgrading guidance for employers, and
- Making faster progress in developing a vocational education and training strategy.
WeGetDesign’s Contribution
WeGetDesign’s submission aligns closely with several of the Committee’s findings—particularly around employer engagement, accessibility, and support for SMEs. Their key proposals included:
- A centralised recruitment portal for apprenticeships, modelled on the UCAS system, to make the application process more accessible and less fragmented.
- Improved employer education around the return on investment of apprenticeships, tax incentives, and long-term productivity benefits.
- Reinstatement of training and development grants, especially for high-skill digital roles. WeGetDesign highlighted that the removal of previous grants significantly limited their ability to recruit apprentices, despite strong demand.
These insights reinforce the report’s call for clearer messaging, enhanced employer support, and targeted funding solutions—particularly to engage small businesses and support future-ready skills development in sectors such as software and technology.
“Apprenticeships are vital to our team and our sector,” added Omar. “We’re committed to helping build a system that works better for employers and learners alike.”
As the Welsh Government considers the Committee’s recommendations, WeGetDesign remains a strong advocate for making the apprenticeship system more open, agile, and aligned with the needs of employers across Wales.