Mission statement and principles

The forum will bring together Welsh Government, devolved public sector employers and trade unions to develop joint solutions for current and future workforce matters. It will promote fair, equal, and ethical employment; influence relevant policy development; and foster strategic dialogue.

The forum will embody our commitment to Social Partnership through tripartite representation, consensus, and collective practice.

• The Public Sector Future Workforce Forum will bring together Welsh Government, devolved public sector employers, and their recognised trade unions to develop joint cross-sector solutions to current and future workforce matters that promote fair, equal and ethical employment across our public services and shared responses to the changing nature of work.
• The forum will provide a space for trade unions, employers, and the Welsh Government to influence the development of relevant policy relating to cross-public service workforce matters through:
  • Horizon scanning to gain further understanding and identify problem solving tactics to combat key issues arising within the public sector workforce
  • Strategic dialogue
  • Sharing information and good practice
  • Highlighting common issues and working together in partnership across sectors to identify solutions
  • Providing a collective view, guidance and direction
  • Collating relevant research
• The forum is a demonstration of the commitment of all stakeholders to Social Partnership via:
  • tripartite representation, operating in equal partnership
  • consensus in determining the work programme, resources, future research, and the commissioning of such research
  • collective practice in delivering the work programme
  • membership principles of openness, honesty, trust and integrity in discussions whilst respecting other partners’ perspectives
• The forum will support a central hub for key resources for organisations in the devolved public sector, their recognised trade unions, and/or worker representatives. All resources hosted by the hub will be agreed in Social Partnership.
• The forum will remain distinct from the Social Partnership Council (SPC) and will determine its own direction. However, it can be utilised as a resource for advice and information by the Social Partnership Council (SPC).
• The forum will not be a space for collective bargaining, the resolution of local disputes or sector specific matters. These continue to be handled through local arrangements.
• The forum will not infringe upon any existing or future local agreements between employers, trade unions or worker representatives.
• The forum is not a sovereign body, therefore only through influence and commitment of the 3 partners to working together can the forum ensure that good-practice and guidance are shared and put into practice.