Further clarity needed on why funding for Technocamps was cut

Sioned Williams MS asks Cabinet Secretary for further clarity on why funding to provide Digital Education in Wales was awarded to an English University.

Sioned Williams has recently met again with the Technocamps team, a successful Wales wide digital education project which is based out of Swansea University in Ms Williams’ region.  

Founded 22 years ago, Technocamps supports digital upskilling of teachers and learners across Wales through direct, bespoke and bilingual engagement in schools and on university campuses. Each year it provides bespoke face to face training to over 900 teachers as well as workshops to over 30,000 young people. 

Technocamps recently learned their funding had been cut and instead £1.4million, under the Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme, has been awarded to York University to provide on-line resources with only “face-to-face sessions in priority areas”. 

Patron and creator of Technocamps, Beti Williams MBE, has called this decision “outrageous” and her petition to continue funding Technocamps, which gained over 4,000 signatures, is currently being considered by the Senedd Petitions Committee.  

Sioned Williams has previously raised the matter with the First Minister and following the most recent meeting with Technocamps, will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Education with further concerns.  

Sioned Williams, Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said: 

“The necessity of good quality, face to face digital skills training has never been more important in this digital age.  

“I’ve seen firsthand how engaging and effective a Technocamps workshop is and what makes this programme so great is that is it Made in Wales, delivered bilingually through our network of Universities and is able to reach every school and teacher in Wales.  

“At a time when Welsh Universities are in financial crisis, it’s disappointing  that the funding allocated to providing digital skills training has gone to a university in England.” 

Beti Williams MBE, Patron of Technocamps, said: 

“The end of Technocamps funding has led to the unemployment of teacher trainers at universities across Wales, leaving nearly 1,000 school teachers who rely on Technocamps bespoke in-person training and support in limbo. The impact of this is reflected in the number of signatures on my petition which is greater than 94% of all other petitions historically. 

“Replacing Technocamps funding with a grant of £1.4 million – nearly twice the annual grant previously provided to Technocamps – to York University to provide predominately standard non-bespoke on-line courses is an insult to the Welsh Universities. On-line courses, of which there is unlimited choice, offer nothing to struggling teachers who rely on bespoke in-person support. 

“It is also very worrying that only 7% of the Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme funding committed by the Welsh Government over the next three years is in support of Science and Technology. The decision to provide so very little support for Science and Technology - in particular computing and digital technology - is frightening and inexplicable, as it can only lead to a decline in attainment in digital and STEM subjects, and ultimately in the economic prosperity of Wales.” 

Sioned Williams MS added: 

“Following my latest meeting with the Technocamps team I will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Education with further questions about the level of funding for digital skills and will be emphasizing the impact of this decision which will include job losses in Swansea University and across Wales. "