Provision for postsecondary higher education in Wales, the nature of the Welsh system, and future concerns are discussed. The roles of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Joint Education Committee contrast greatly with central organizations in England. There is one university in Wales, comprising seven constituent colleges. Additional institutions in Wales are 6 institutes of higher education, 1 polytechnic, 37 colleges of further and technical education, 1,250 evening institutes, and 9 centers for teacher training. Areas of concern include: designing a strategy of provision for postsecondary education and training; raising the level of courses in further education and the participation rate by 16-19 year olds; and meeting the problems posed by declining industries, unemployment, and demographic patterns. Eleven functions performed by the Welsh Office are identified, including: the planning and management of nonuniversity further and higher education, which includes teacher training, adult education, and youth and community service; the control of advanced further education; policy-making for the supply and training of teachers; and vocational education. The different sectors of further and higher education are also described. (SW)