Education and Training Plan (ETP)

Building the NHS Wales Workforce 

What is the ETP?

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. 

Why the Education and Training Plan matters 

Education and training are the foundations of a safe, sustainable NHS. HEIW’s investment in workforce development supports: 

• better patient care through consistent, high-quality standards 
• workforce sustainability by reducing reliance on agency staff 
• ongoing professional growth with access to new skills and evidence-based practice 
• clear career pathways that boost morale and retention. 

With a growing focus on multi-professional and collaborative learning, HEIW helps NHS Wales adapt to complex and changing health needs. 

How the plan works

The ETP brings together workforce intelligence and system priorities to secure the future education and training pipeline. It considers: 

• workforce needs and NHS Wales IMTP submissions 
• labour market trends and modelling 
• education and placement capacity 
• Welsh language, digital, cultural, and leadership requirements 
• priorities such as planned care recovery, mental health, and community transformation. 

HEIW's Workforce Observatory and Data and Insights Portal strengthen planning by improving foresight into workforce supply and demand. 

The difference it makes  

The ETP directly benefits NHS Wales by: 

• maintaining continuity for learners already in training 
• creating new training places for future registrants (e.g. nursing, medical, dental, pharmacy) 
• driving system transformation, digital skills, and new roles 
• aligning with ministerial priorities on performance, productivity, and sustainability. 

The impact of the plan supports improved workforce availability, reduced recruitment gaps, and stronger alignment between service needs and workforce supply. 

How the plan is created 

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:  

• over 40 organisations through the Stakeholder Reference Group 
• NHS Wales peer groups and Welsh Government policy leads 
• Social Care Wales, universities, and education providers. 

This ensures the plan is robust, future-focused, and aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.