Author: Expert Contributor

If we are to compete in today’s global economy against low-wage countries such as China, industry needs to have a highly-skilled technician workforce. Many other areas of our national life, whether it is hospitals, the armed services, or agriculture, today also depend on highly-skilled technicians if they are to operate efficiently. But the simple truth […]

We have never had a system which gives everyone a clear choice of an excellent academic or technical education. Lord Sainsbury sets out a vision of high aspiration and technical excellence for our country, which I welcome. His review explicitly rejects a model where vocational education is a route of second-choice, the aim of which […]

Sue Southwood reflects on the findings of a consultation looking into what employers want from reformed functional skills. Employers tell us again and again that their main concern — and the biggest threat to economic growth — is a lack of workforce skills. These concerns were highlighted once again during our consultation with over 500 […]

Ayub Khan looks at what lessons can be learned from a new collection of essays imagining different futures for the sector. Area reviews and skills devolution will mean fundamental changes to the structure and organisation of FE and skills in England. Structure and organisation are important, of course. But without strong, intelligent leadership the best […]

Alun Francis, principal and chief executive of Oldham College, explains what the recently completed Greater Manchester area based review has meant for his institution and for the region overall. Having just completed the area based review process in Greater Manchester, we believe that for our college and our town, we have an excellent outcome. We […]

Tanja Kuveljic, chief executive of the charity Believe in Young People, discusses one approach to matching young people with the right options for work and helping employers to make the best use of the apprenticeship levy. It is less than 12 months until the introduction of the government’s apprenticeship levy, and there are still a great […]

Even last week, we would all have expected that attending the AELP Conference, we would be treated to ministerial speeches and Q&A sessions that would have provided some much-needed clarity on the reforms that are affecting our sector. However, on Friday it probably became evident, in amongst so many other emotions and reactions, that we […]

John Landeryou, who contributed to the ‘New Blood; the thinking and approaches of new leaders in the FE and Skills market’ report, here and in a day two workshop reflects on potential benefits from looking outside of the sector for future leaders. Take a minute to think how much of your working time is taken […]

Sally Hunt explains why the UCU is calling for FE employers to move hourly-paid and casual staff who have been working at an institution for at least two years onto permanent contracts. Last week, FE Week wrote about Lincoln College, where a threat was allegedly made to withhold pay from part-time agency staff because of […]