24.This Part provides for the funding of the Commission by the Welsh Ministers, the powers of the Commission to fund tertiary education and research, apprenticeships and the Commission’s duties to secure the provision of facilities for further education and training. The funding powers of the Commission in respect of higher education replace the existing funding powers of HEFCW in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, which are repealed. And the duties to secure further education and training replace the existing functions of the Welsh Ministers in sections 31 to 33 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, which are repealed.
25.Funding of higher education by the Commission must be in respect of providers and courses specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers. Specification of providers is by reference to category of registration under Part 2. The Welsh Ministers may also fund a limited range of higher education courses themselves.
26.Funding of research and innovation by the Commission must also be in respect of tertiary education providers registered in categories specified by the Welsh Ministers in regulations.