Opinion

Apprenticeship upturn need not be a predictable shift away from helping those in most need

Last February, when Skills Minister Anne Milton was faced with a 41 percent fall in apprenticeships starts since the...

Nick Linford
NICK LINFORD
Opinion

How to transfer our success in skills competitions into productivity

The training methods behind the UK’s international success in skills competitions can be transferred to the wider economy, says...

Expert Contributor
DR NEIL BENTLEY-GOCKMANN OBE
Opinion

Let’s not have arbitrary caps on apprenticeship provider growth

If ESFA introduces a limit on the scope of providers to grow it could hinder the delivery of apprenticeships,...

Expert Contributor
SIMON ASHWORTH
Opinion

International work is neither celebrated nor talked about nearly enough

Colleges that choose to extend their work internationally can reap rewards in many different ways, says Emma Meredith, but...

Expert Contributor
EMMA MEREDITH
Opinion

Colleges must deal with the pay crisis or risk further strikes

The pay crisis in further education has led to the forthcoming UCU strike. Those who work in this sector...

Expert Contributor
MATT WADDUP
Opinion

Ofsted talk tough on integrity in new regime, but they can’t do it alone

A first glance there is little new in the draft Common Inspection Framework and accompanying Handbook for FE and...

Nick Linford
NICK LINFORD
Opinion

The Baker clause can only be a short-term fix

After this week’s IPPR report revealed that two-thirds of schools are still flouting the Baker clause, Tony Breslin argues...

Expert Contributor
TONY BRESLIN
Opinion

Employer engagement hasn’t gone to plan

Employers are reducing their training effort. But how can the government talk to them about it, says Ewart Keep,...

Expert Contributor
EWART KEEP
Opinion

Colleges need to speak with one voice

It’s not going to be an easy year for the AoC, but Julie Nerney, its new chair, is looking...

Expert Contributor
JULIE NERNEY