HEIW has a statutory duty to produce the annual Education and Training Plan (ETP), outlining professional recommendations for education and training investment across NHS Wales. Once approved by the HEIW Board and Welsh Government, the plan’s recommendations are implemented throughout the academic year to ensure NHS Wales has the right workforce with the right skills to deliver high-quality care.
Education and training are the foundations of a safe, sustainable NHS. HEIW’s investment in workforce development supports:
With a growing focus on multi-professional and collaborative learning, HEIW helps NHS Wales adapt to complex and changing health needs.
The ETP brings together workforce intelligence and system priorities to secure the future education and training pipeline. It considers:
HEIW's Workforce Observatory and Data and Insights Portal strengthen planning by improving foresight into workforce supply and demand.
The ETP directly benefits NHS Wales by:
The impact of the plan supports improved workforce availability, reduced recruitment gaps, and stronger alignment between service needs and workforce supply.
The ETP is developed through collaboration and engagement. Health boards and trusts submit workforce requirements across all education levels, while HEIW combines this with modelling and national priorities.
Key partners includes:
This ensures the plan is robust, future-focused, and aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
HEIW’s annual Education and Training Plan is central to building the future NHS Wales workforce. By planning education and training now, HEIW helps ensure that services are sustainable, high-quality, and responsive to the needs of patients and communities across Wales.