Stop relying on more funding. Providers need to solve their own recruitment problems There are a raft of measures FE providers can take to improve rectruitment that don’t rely on extra funding from the treasury, writes Alex Lockey
Our skills system is a long way from meeting the economy’s needs The levy and other reforms have failed to deliver an apprenticeships system that works for those who need it most or for the real economy, writes Graham Hasting-Evans
How can ITPs monitor and improve learner engagement? ITPs can and must better understand their learners’ ambitions and benchmark engagement across employers to drastically improve provision, explains Brad Tombling
The real reasons half of apprentices drop out of their scheme Oliver Sidwell delves into nine years of programme reviews to find out why apprentices really leave and what can be done about it
How to make your digital development programme ‘go faster’ Steven Spence sets out the process by which The Sheffield College arrived at a sustainable and sustained model for developing its teachers’ digital skills
Functional skills are not fit for the purpose of qualifying apprentices Functional skills are an off-putting part of the apprentice experience and the whole curriculum needs a complete rethink to put that right, says Susan Pittock
Improving apprenticeship achievement rates starts with showing how much we value them New research from AELP with City & Guilds makes it clear that the apprenticeships are not perceived as valuable enough to retain learners, writes Jane Hickie
The key to bridging the skills gap is staring us in the face We know colleges are key to bridging skills gaps and the spring budget is an opportunity to put them at the heart of our economic growth plan, says Peter Aldous
How ITPs can ensure more SMEs benefit from levy transfer More upheaval is not necessary if ITPs use their unique place and the capacity they’ve built to leverage more levy transfers, says Jon Graham