Expert Contributor | FE Week

The 20% off-the-job rule will make apprenticeships economically unviable

If employers have to let apprentices out one day a week as the SFA wants, the whole system may grind to a halt, says Chris Taylor The Skills Funding Agency has confirmed its definition of off-the-job requirements for apprenticeships. Apprentices must spend 20 per cent of their contracted work hours, the equivalent of one day […]

The chaos of apprenticeship reform

Apprenticeships might be at the heart of the Government’s industrial strategy, but delays in the register of approved providers raise questions about its vision for the future, says Stephen Evans Having worked in government, I know that the announcement of a policy can seem like the end of the process. An announcement follows a long […]

Let’s be more positive about ITPs

The vast majority of independent training providers deliver great results for apprentices, writes Bob Watmore The front page lead of last week’s FE Week was understandably sensational about some aspects of the recent register of apprenticeship training providers announcements – namely those experienced providers which didn’t make the list and the inexperienced ones that did. […]

How we’re preparing for the work experience revolution

The government is right to identify work experience as vital to high-quality technical education, but the cost of managing all those placements shouldn’t be underestimated, says Sam Parrett The FE world – and indeed the wider education sector – welcomed last week’s budget statement, which included a £500 million windfall for technical education reforms. Rarely […]

Don’t forget work experience in the apprenticeships frenzy

Of course there will be teething troubles as the levy kicks in, but current developments in the apprenticeships arena – the most significant overhaul of the system for more than 30 years – have to be warmly welcomed. Anything that significantly enhances employability, work readiness and job prospects must be good. Many of today’s senior […]

How to get positive media coverage for FE

It can be a struggle to win media coverage, but there are ways to increase your chances of getting heard, says Ruth Sparkes Could it be that vocational qualifications just aren’t sexy enough? Granted, they are getting recognition, but they’re not up there with the likes of GCSEs and A-levels just yet. I mean, I […]

Why I want other apprentices to enter skills competitions

Ashley Terron tells how he nearly didn’t become an apprentice, then went on to win gold for bricklaying at WorldSkills When I was at school, all the kids wanted to be the best at something – the best footballer, the best dancer. For me, building was the family trade so it felt right to go […]

How Toyota uses skills competitions to develop its workforce

Pete Spence explains how Toyota has used skills competitions as a benchmarking exercise to boost standards and develop its workforce Our business ethos is one of premium quality and premium skill. It is fairly obvious how we might go about proving the former: by making premium quality vehicles. But how do you demonstrate premium skill? The […]

The UK needs to demonstrate global skills standards

Hosting skills competitions sends out a strong message that the UK is amongst the best, says Lesley Davies Many say a week isn’t long enough to celebrate the success of our apprentices and I’m inclined to agree with them. I, for one wish the success of last week’s National Apprenticeship Week could be repeated throughout […]