Thousands more students will have the chance to study for the Welsh Baccalaureate (bac) from September, it has been announced.
The qualification - which is valued at the equivalent of an A grade at A-level - will be on offer at 27 more schools, colleges and training centres.
It is the second phase of the roll-out of the qualification across Wales.
It will double the number of students who will have the opportunity to take it to almost 18,000.
It means that from next September 27 new centres will offer the bac, and there will be extra provision at 24 centres presently involved.
NEW BAC CENTRES
The expansion also means that 102 education centres across Wales will offer the bac at post-16 advanced and intermediate level.
Education Minister Jane Hutt said students recognised the worth of the bac, whether they went on to higher education or to work.
"It is wonderful that higher education institutions and employers are increasingly seeing how Welsh Baccalaureate students are developing into confident, well-rounded individuals.
"From experience we know that it is vitally important that young people are equipped with the skills needed to get ahead.
"The Welsh Baccalaureate is ensuring that students are learning transferable key skills they can use throughout their learning and working lives."
The Welsh Assembly Government said new marketing materials, including a revamped website, had been launched "to increase awareness and illustrate the benefits of studying the Welsh Baccalaureate."
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