Opinion

Budget will give green light to FE maintenance loans, which is a step in the right direction

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since Lord Sainsbury’s independent panel on Technical Education reported...

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
Opinion

I’m delighted the Chancellor has faced up to skills challenges of Brexit

In the AoC’s pre-Budget evidence (Spring 2017 Budget submission) we said “…..the Government needs to properly resource education both...

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
Opinion

To increase social mobility, invest in adult education

To increase social mobility, government needs to look beyond grammar schools and universities and invest properly in adult education,...

Sue Pember
Sue Pember
Opinion

The chancellor must back #SaveOurAdultEducation

Adult education should be a golden thread running through all government strategies – the budget is Philip Hammond’s opportunity...

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Apprenticeships: what are Ofsted inspectors looking for?

Apprenticeships are not vehicles to validate employees’ existing skills – our inspectors want to see that apprentices are learning...

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Shocking associate partnerships need to be tackled

It is clear the SFA crackdown on subcontracting is increasingly pushing it underground. Our findings this week on the...

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Opinion

Government is making dangerous errors on apprenticeship assessment

Although the new policy on assessment organisations is intended to drive down overall costs, it’s likely to impact quality...

Rob May
Rob May
Opinion

Lord Baker scored a victory for FE

Lord Baker deserves a big pat on the back for his victory in the House of Lords this week....

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Opinion

Apprenticeship outcomes: how do we know what they are?

Reporting on outcomes will not be mandatory, which risks undermining the status and quality of apprenticeships, says Shane Chowen...

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen