Budget

A budget that backs FE, delivered by a government that can’t stop undermining itself

Today’s budget offers long-overdue wins for skills and apprenticeships, but the constant leaks, U-turns and mixed messages are throttling...

Jessica Hill
Erika Marshall
Apprenticeships

Are assessment reforms a safety risk we can’t afford?

The government’s drive to streamline apprenticeship assessment may look efficient on paper, but employers warn it risks dismantling the...

Jessica Hill
Justine Fosh and Ann Watson
Ofsted

Ofsted’s one-word grades were a ‘good’ way of explaining quality

Now we’ve lost our simple shorthand, the task of communicating inspection results to the outside world just got much...

Jessica Hill
Mark Dawe
Colleges

The quiet power of FE, where second chances spark social change

In South Devon our new social and community practice degree is training graduates to prevent harm, not just respond...

Jessica Hill
Hannah Kam-Radcliffe
Skills reform

It’s mayday for the skills sector under DWP

The DWP’s inability to correct the disaster that has been the dynamic purchasing system for Jobcentres suggests the department...

Jessica Hill
John McDonough
Skills reform

Our jobs market is changing faster than anyone expected – our skills system isn’t

Our analysis shows millions of roles could vanish far earlier than predicted. Unless the UK builds a cradle-to-grave skills...

Jessica Hill
Jude Hillary
Skills funding

Our economy won’t grow with almost 1m young people left behind

Britain cannot rebuild its economy while a million young people are locked out of opportunity. This Budget must back...

Jessica Hill
Sarah Smith MP
Skills reform

FE isn’t built for sprinting, so don’t treat skills reform as a race

At the AoC Conference, one message came through loud and clear: FE can’t absorb another whirlwind overhaul. Ministers want...

Jessica Hill
Rob May
Long read, NEETs

How NEET providers are propping up a failing system

Helping inactive young people get back on track is being hampered by a youth population spike, market instability and...

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill