# Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

> UK government agency

**Wikidata**: [Q107567868](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107567868)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/department-for-education-lifelong-learning-and-skills

## Summary
The Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills is a government agency operating as an organizational part of the Welsh Government within the United Kingdom. It is specifically responsible for delivering public services related to education, lifelong learning, and skills development in Wales. The entity is identified by the VIAF ID 138627723 and the Library of Congress Authority ID nb2006011691.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Government agency (class: organisational part of a government responsible for specific public services).
- **Parent Organization**: Part of the Welsh Government.
- **Country of Operation**: United Kingdom (specifically Wales).
- **VIAF Identifier**: 138627723.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: nb2006011691.
- **Wikidata Description**: UK government agency.
- **Primary Function**: Responsible for education, lifelong learning, and skills sectors.
- **Jurisdiction**: Operates within the legal and administrative systems of the United Kingdom.

## FAQs
**What is the primary role of the Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills?**
The agency functions as a specialized organizational unit within the Welsh Government, tasked with managing and delivering public services focused on education, lifelong learning, and skills training. It operates under the broader framework of the United Kingdom's government structure.

**Which government body does this department belong to?**
This department is an integral part of the Welsh Government, which is the executive body responsible for devolved matters in Wales. It operates as a specific agency within this larger governmental framework.

**How is this entity identified in international library and data systems?**
The department is uniquely cataloged with the VIAF ID 138627723 and the Library of Congress Authority ID nb2006011691. These identifiers link it to global knowledge bases and academic resources.

**What specific sectors does this agency oversee?**
The agency's mandate covers three distinct but interconnected areas: formal education, lifelong learning opportunities for adults, and the development of vocational and professional skills. These sectors are critical to the public service infrastructure of Wales.

## Why It Matters
The Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills plays a critical role in shaping the human capital and economic future of Wales by managing essential public services. As a specialized arm of the Welsh Government, it ensures that educational standards, adult learning initiatives, and skills training programs are effectively delivered to the population. Its existence allows for targeted governance in sectors that drive social mobility and economic competitiveness within the United Kingdom. By focusing on lifelong learning and skills, the agency addresses the evolving needs of the workforce and supports the broader goals of the Welsh Government. The agency's work is fundamental to maintaining the distinct legal and administrative systems that characterize the constituent nations of the UK.

## Notable For
- **Specific Sector Focus**: Distinctly dedicated to the triad of education, lifelong learning, and skills, differentiating it from general government departments.
- **Devolved Governance**: Operates as a key component of the Welsh Government, reflecting the unique administrative structure of the United Kingdom.
- **Standardized Identification**: Recognized globally through specific authority identifiers (VIAF 138627723, LCCN nb2006011691).
- **Public Service Mandate**: Classified specifically as an organizational part of a government responsible for delivering essential public services.
- **Regional Integration**: Functions within the specific legal and administrative context of Wales, one of the four constituent nations of the UK.

## Body

### Organizational Classification and Structure
The Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills is classified as a government agency. In the context of the United Kingdom, this classification defines it as an organizational part of a government responsible for specific public services. These services typically include sectors such as health, judiciary, education, transportation, and foreign affairs. Specifically, this agency falls under the umbrella of the Welsh Government. This relationship places it within the devolved administrative system of the United Kingdom, which is divided into four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each of these nations maintains its own distinct legal and administrative systems, and this department operates within the specific framework of Wales.

### Operational Scope and Responsibilities
The primary mandate of the agency covers three core areas: education, lifelong learning, and skills. These sectors are vital for the development of the population and the economy. The agency is responsible for the delivery of public services in these domains. As part of the Welsh Government, it contributes to the regional diversity and administrative autonomy of the United Kingdom. The focus on "lifelong learning" and "skills" indicates a strategic emphasis on continuous education and workforce development, extending beyond compulsory schooling which typically ends at age 16 in the UK.

### Identification and Authority Records
To ensure accurate referencing in academic and library systems, the entity is assigned specific technical identifiers. It holds the VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) ID 138627723. Additionally, it is cataloged with the Library of Congress Authority ID nb2006011691. These identifiers are crucial for linking the agency to global knowledge bases and ensuring consistency in data retrieval. The Wikidata description for this entity is explicitly defined as a "UK government agency." These metadata points confirm its status and location within the broader ecosystem of United Kingdom government bodies.

### Context within the United Kingdom
The agency operates within the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK is an island country in north-west Europe with a population of approximately 67 million as of 2021. The country functions as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, currently led by King Charles III as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. The United Kingdom's administrative structure includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills is a specific manifestation of the administrative power exercised within Wales. The country's official language is English, with Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Cornish, and Irish also recognized, reflecting the linguistic diversity the agency may serve.

### Technical and Geographic Context
While the agency itself is an administrative body, its operations are situated within the geographic and technical framework of the United Kingdom. The UK uses the .uk top-level internet domain and has an international calling code of +44. The emergency numbers are 999 and 112. The country operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Western European Time (WET). The electrical system operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz. The agency's work impacts the population living in this territory, which spans 242,495 square kilometres. The UK's ISO codes are Alpha-2: GB and Alpha-3: GBR. These technical standards and geographic facts form the environment in which the department delivers its services.