Expert Contributor | FE Week

Let FE colleges deliver nursing apprenticeships!

FE has vast expertise in delivering healthcare apprenticeships, but those trying to solve the nursing shortage fail to see the larger role it could play, says Laira Pearson Apprentice numbers in the NHS are falling and the number of nurse vacancies are increasing. The obvious question is: Why aren’t NHS employers using their large apprentice […]

Are apprenticeship funding bands being set deliberately low?

Are funding bands deliberately being set below cost to restrict the supply of some high-cost apprenticeship standards? Mandy Crawford-Lee weighs the evidence The recent changes to the funding band structure and the review of funding bands for several apprenticeship standards, most notably the chartered manager degree apprenticeship, have drawn extensive media coverage. Although the Institute […]

A milestone month for the Institute for Apprenticeships!

The publication of the 300th apprenticeship standard is a sign of real change with tangible outcomes, says Sir Gerry Berragan June was a record-breaking month for the Institute for Apprenticeships, in which we published the 300th apprenticeship standard. We have now approved 90 new standards in just six months – twice the number approved in […]

Nursing apprenticeships are a good thing – here’s why

Apprenticeships may not be a magic bullet, but neither are they the poisoned chalice the Royal College of Nursing would have us believe, argues Lucy Hunte I recognise there are challenges with the implementation and roll-out of the nursing degree apprenticeship, but they are not for the reasons the Royal College of Nursing stated in […]

Why we are planning to use a single licensing approach for T-Levels

Choosing awarding organisations in open competition will not only give the new technical qualifications the greatest chance of success, but clarify the landscape for students, promises Anne Milton I was recently interviewed by Nick at FE Week, who wanted to know why we are planning to use a single licensing approach for T-levels. I thought […]

If colleges are not careful, HE will muscle in on their territory

The FE sector is already beleaguered, but market forces will soon see universities trying to carve themselves out a bigger slice of the pie, writes Ewart Keep A research project about to be published by the FE Trust for Leadership on the marketisation of further education points to the growing competition that colleges face from […]

If the 10% apprenticeship co-investment is removed, it should be done selectively

The 10 per cent apprenticeship contribution rule for non-levied employers remains a lively issue. It is frequently cited by training providers as a barrier to engagement, and the calls for its removal by leading sector bodies such as the Association of Employment and Learning Providers and others remain strident. An air of suppressed anticipation awaited […]

When does Ofsted inspect a newly merged college?

Merging with another college is certainly not a way to dodge a visit from Ofsted, explains Paul Joyce, in response to FE Week’s criticism of the regulator’s move to suspend routine inspections for at least three years following a merger. College mergers have become much more commonplace in recent years. With this in mind, and […]

How to support disabled learners with sport and physical activity

For too long it has been too easy to marginalise disabled learners from the kind of sporting activity that we know they’d enjoy. Sam Perks has toured colleges in search of better practice. Taking part in sport helps to improve your health. It increases happiness and self-esteem, and it reduces anxiety and stress. It enhances […]