Opinion

The government mustn’t scrap ESOL qualifications

The funding set-up, not the qualifications themselves, is to blame for a lack of take-up, writes Mary Osmaston When...

Jess Staufenberg
Mary Osmaston
Opinion

The government must consult on a very detailed plan for the national skills fund

There are now more questions than answers about the national skills fund, writes Simon Parkinson The WEA gave a...

Jess Staufenberg
Simon Parkinson
Opinion

We should name, but not shame, the colleges that are getting bailouts

The sector is shooting itself in the foot if we don’t argue that colleges getting financial help should be...

Jess Staufenberg
Stuart Rimmer
Opinion

Apprenticeship providers are short-changing themselves on reasonable adjustments

Providers are stuck in a vicious cycle of ignorance and avoidance that frustrates both learners and Ofsted, writes Chris...

Jess Staufenberg
CHRIS QUICKFALL
Opinion

FE colleges have been too reluctant to challenge bias against black and Asian apprentices

Too many colleges and employers have a ‘diversity and inclusion’ policy but go no further, writes Jeremy Crook Will...

Jess Staufenberg
Jeremy Crook
Opinion

The second government consultation must make currency of qualifications king

The technical qualifications we end up with must have value for employers and universities, writes Ruth Gilbert As a...

Jess Staufenberg
RUTH GILBERT
Opinion

I’m in no doubt about how to improve our skills education after visiting WorldSkills

Off-the-job training in apprenticeships is clearly critical, while GCSE resits need to be rethought, writes Anne Milton When I...

Jess Staufenberg
ANNE MILTON
Opinion

Here’s what we learnt from running digital bootcamps

Bootcamps are a step in the right direction – but lessons need to be learned from pilots like ours,...

Jess Staufenberg
Clare Hatton
Opinion

After Black Lives Matter, it’s time FE led the way on inclusion

FE has some of the most diverse classrooms around and should be setting an example when it comes to...

Jess Staufenberg
Teresa Carroll