Colleges are key to disrupting higher education and powering apprenticeships A new college hopes to spearhead a revolution in HE provision but real change will depend on a broader, deeper movement across FE too, says James Kelly
Confidence and choice remain barriers to edtech for adults Marking Lifelong Learning Week’s ‘Learning for the Future day’, Rebecca Garrod-Waters presents the latest data from the Adult Participation in Learning Survey
Young people’s access to mental health support shouldn’t be such a lottery Nick Harrison reflects on new Sutton Trust findings on the breadth, depth and inequities of the mental health crisis in young people
Why colleges should train more to become mental health first aiders David Murray explains why he became a mental health first aider and why he thinks more FE staff should do so too
Integrating digital skills into qualifications is no longer a ‘nice to have’ Digital know-how is now essential to every sector and modern life, says James Lane. We can no longer afford to treat it as a bolt-on
Is ‘good’ good enough to encompass the range of practices in FE? Analysis of inspection reports calls into question the accuracy of a grade category ascribed to nearly two-thirds of FE providers, explains Kerry Boffey
Every pound raised through the levy should be spent on apprenticeships Any reform of the apprenticeship levy should first ensure it fully delivers – and is seen to deliver – what it was intended to, says Mandy Crawford-Lee
It’s time to focus policy and resources on the other 50 per cent first For all the focus on FE, none of the recent announcements will move the dial for the perenially under-resourced
The party conferences have given me renewed hope for the future of our sector Facile reactions to the leaders’ announcements ignore the important message that colleges are at the heart of political thinking about national renewal