Jess Staufenberg | FE Week

Let’s embed education for sustainable development (ESD) in teaching and training

To have a hope of meeting the government’s green goals, education for sustainable development needs to be embedded in apprenticeships and staff training, writes Charlotte Bonner Last week saw the publication of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)’s sustainability framework. This document helps employer trailblazer groups, who are responsible for developing apprenticeship standards, […]

It’s true – entry requirements for apprenticeships risks closing doors

Some learners barred from apprenticeships are ending up on college courses for three years, write Stephanie Thomson and Lorna Unwin As another academic year draws to a close, families, teachers and careers advisers will rally round to help 16 -year-olds find a place for September. But while guarantees and entitlements are popular hurrah words for […]

The Queen’s Speech is welcome – but passing legislation is only the first step

Following the Queen’s Speech, there are a number of issues to keep an eye on when the Skills Bill arrives, writes Aveek Bhattacharya In one sense, not much has changed in terms of government FE and adult education policy as a result of the Queen’s speech. Last July, in a speech to the Social Market […]

Revealed: SEND centres for excellence model to expand with six new providers

Two years on, the sector’s ‘centres for excellence’ in special educational needs will be joined by mini-hubs. Jess Staufenberg looks at how the model is working so far Almost two years ago, the government announced that three “Centres for Excellence” in special educational needs and disabilities would be spreading best practice and expertise around the […]

T-levels: Raising awareness in parliament will be vital to their success

A deeper understanding of T Levels by MPs will be crucial, writes Damian Hinds Giving young people the best opportunities to set themselves on a path to quality is more important now than ever. For that, skilled employment is essential. T Levels are a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our technical education and training. They will be […]

Use Ofsted and ESFA to slow apprenticeship provider growth if things are going wrong

Restrict the funding new apprenticeship providers can initially access and use recognised milestones to help prevent failure, writes Jane Hickie The Skills for Jobs white paper was a good opportunity to run a stock-take on where we are in terms of protecting apprentices and other learners in the FE system when things go wrong. It […]

Open conversations about sexual harassment can tackle victim blaming

Taking a restorative approach so learners can say what they really think about sexual harassment is a powerful starting point, writes Tif Ward For many staff in FE, there will have been a sense of familiarity in the claims of sexual harassment made on the Everyone’s Invited website, after the murder of Sarah Everard. Some […]

Focus: Do employers set the bar too high for entry criteria to apprenticeships?

Employers are allowed to set their own entry criteria for apprenticeships, even though officially, no formal qualifications are needed. When is the bar being set too high? asks Jess Staufenberg The government has two favourite phrases for its ambitions in further education, and for apprenticeships in particular. The first is ‘employer-led’. The term, bandied […]

Three ways to replace in-work careers experience for your students

Virtual reality technology and collaborative projects can keep students switched on to careers, writes David Chapman It’s no wonder many young people are struggling to picture their future. When entire business sectors have been forced to close, relatives are being laid off and exams are cancelled, it’s hard to think beyond the next few months. […]