Mark Dawe | FE Week

Ofqual should not have double standards

One thing an assessment regulator should definitely not have is double standards; it undermines the core of their existence. We’ve just emerged from a lively FE week Annual Apprenticeship Conference with much debate and concern about the disruption that the current process will cause without providing any significant benefit to the employer, learner, quality or […]

There are two levels of unfairness in FE

Mark Dawe made his maiden speech as chief executive of AELP at last year’s Annual Apprenticeship Conference. One year on, he tackles a familiar question: are FE institutions treated fairly? My youngest of four children, the only girl, often retorts “What about me?” when I make the mistake of saying “come on, boys”. Given my […]

Don’t abolish 16-18 apprenticeships!

IPPR are wrong – employers do want to give 16-18-year-olds apprenticeships. The real problem is that schools won’t promote them and government won’t fund them, says Mark Dawe. A report has been published by an influential think tank that attempts to influence ministers based on a false premise: i.e. employers aren’t interested in offering 16- […]

Bring standards and EPA development under control

Funding isn’t the only big topic for debate in the apprenticeship reforms. MPs on two Commons select committees have recently focused on the reform implications for the quality of the programme and at one of the evidence sessions, senior DfE officials were challenged by the National Audit Office on their presiding over a ‘blizzard’ of […]

The apprenticeships system needs a rethink if it’s going to succeed

With the sector reeling from proposed rate – cuts to 16-18 apprenticeships, the government needs to heed the findings of the consultation, says Mark Dawe. All the signals under Theresa May’s new administration are that the government is sticking with its three million manifesto target for apprenticeships and, that it is determined the levy will […]

Proposed changes to apprenticeships funding will hamper social mobility

With the sector reeling from proposed rate cuts to 16-18 apprenticeships, the government needs to heed the findings of the consultation, says Mark Dawe All the signals under Theresa May’s new administration are that the government is sticking with its 3 million manifesto target for apprenticeships and that it is determined the levy will start […]

Traineeships must be left alone to grow and thrive

Three years in, it’s a critical time for traineeships. Mark Dawe argues that we need to leave them be to let them flourish. Traineeships last an average of between 12 and 16 weeks, according to feedback from providers. This enables quicker progression into an apprenticeship or work, and the young people themselves say that they […]

Hold fire over outright subcontracting ban

Mark Dawe explains warns against hasty decisions being made over subcontracting because of a new Skills Funding Agency (SFA) review on brokering. The SFA review of the use of brokers in relation to subcontracted skills provision should not be a reason in itself to add further weight to calls for an outright ban in subcontracting. […]