Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe I’d like to start this piece by saying that the people within the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions are good people. This is not a hit job but the genuine opinion of someone who has worked on both sides, I’ve been the regulator and the regulated. But I am concerned about the lack of experience members of staff in both departments have of working within the FE sector. DfE have recognised this and in previous years have worked with colleges and universities to provide two-day immersion visits to its staff. Is two days enough time for civil servants, who have never worked in the sector, to understand the challenges the sector faces? As everyone reading this will be aware, the government has defunded leadership and management apprenticeships. I know of a provider that had a relatively minimal cap on one of the standards being defunded (less than ten apprentices). Become a member for unlimited access to FE Week Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism on FE and skills, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits. subscribe If you have an account, please login. Sign in