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
Opinion

Mr Halfon, please protect learners from FE loan scandal

As FE Week launches #saveourapprenticeships, our editor Nick Linford explains why he passionately believes loans should be written-off for...

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
Opinion

Why not give Ofqual more power over apprenticeship standards?

The assessment community is calling for Ofqual’s role in apprenticeships to be extended – which shows something is badly...

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Changes to justice system will affect those working in FE colleges

Recent policy changes to keep more young offenders out of custody will affect those working at FE colleges, says...

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

SFA apprenticeship contract creates risks for employers

The new apprenticeship programme was designed to put employers in the driving seat, but the contract the SFA will...

Smita Jamdar
Smita Jamdar
Opinion

Don’t judge UTCs by school standards

UTCs perform a valuable function – don’t write off the whole enterprise based on misleading statistical comparisons with schools,...

Nick Crew
Nick Crew
Opinion

How does Ofsted know whether work experience is high quality?

The post-16 skills plan heralds a major change to work experience in the current system. The government wants college-based...

Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor