Stephen Evans | FE Week

New Skills for Life Alliance to tackle England’s adult basic skills deficit

The number of adults participating in literacy or numeracy learning has fallen 60 per cent since 2010, and urgent action is needed, writes Stephen Evans “We have found that people are staggered when one confronts them with the basic facts about literacy and numeracy, and rightly so… It is a shocking state of affairs in this […]

Four things we can do to make sure that T-levels are not another wasted opportunity

Youngsters today are likely to have a 50-year career. T-levels can play a major role in equipping them, if we keep certain strategies in mind, says Stephen Evans As we wait to find out who will succeed Theresa May, and whether this leads to a changed ministerial team in the Department for Education, one thing […]

Mind the doors: young people are now getting more chances

Progress has stalled on improving qualifications for young people, but there are signs of progress on English and maths, says Stephen Evans First, the bad news. The proportion of 19-year-olds gaining a level 2 or level 3 qualification has stalled. More than eight in ten have a level 2 qualification, and six in ten a […]

Markets aren’t the panacea for public services

The failure of the provider should prompt us to reflect seriously on the role of the marketplace in learning and skills, says Stephen Evans Working Links’ fall into administration is bad news for the people they support and their employees. Its case is different to that of learndirect and other providers. But together, they should […]

Tory conference 2018: what was said about FE and skills?

Brexit is grabbing the headlines. But many debates at the Conservative Party conference concluded that lifelong learning and apprenticeships are central to life beyond March next year, says Stephen Evans There are some great debates at party conferences if you know where to find them. They’re usually away from the main conference halls, though Damian […]

Five things any good devolved skills plan should contain

Sadiq Khan’s first skills strategy has lots to welcome, writes Stephen Evans, but to make a step change we need a clearer devolution deal and ambitious mayors. The mayor of London’s been busy; criticised after FE Week reported his plan to fund 50 posts by top-slicing the soon-to-be-devolved adult education budget, he’s now set out […]

Apprenticeship budget must be guaranteed

The gloomy outlook for our economy risks reduced investment via the levy in apprenticeships when we need it most, says Stephen Evans We all have times when we wake up and know it’s going to be a tough day ahead. Theresa May has perhaps had more than most since June’s general election, and the budget […]