Ofsted annual report presents mixed bag for FE and skills with growth in quality provision — but employer engagement remains an issue
Ofsted’s annual report today painted a mixed picture for FE and skills, highlighting a rise in the proportion of good or outstanding providers while also pointing to one-in-six learners at less than good providers.
It said that in 2013/14, 3.2 million learners were at grade one or two providers because 81 per cent of providers were judged to be good or outstanding at their latest inspection — compared with 72 per cent the previous year and 64 per cent as at August 31, 2012.
However, “30 per cent of providers did not improve their overall effectiveness grade. Seven declined and were judged to be inadequate,” according to the report.
It added: “Inspectors found that many of these providers had failed to improve the quality of teaching and learning and learners were not making adequate progress towards their learning goals.”
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw (pictured) wrote: “The FE and skills sector has a critical role in ensuring that all young people and adults are appropriately prepared for good-quality jobs. It is encouraging, therefore, that we have seen an increase in the proportion of FE providers judged to be good or outstanding at their latest inspection.
“This reflects improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in providers inspected this year. However, I am concerned that there is not enough good teaching in the subject areas where it is needed most.
“Too many young people are leaving schools and colleges without the skills and attitudes employers are looking for. Indeed, despite there being around one million young people aged 16 to 24 not in work, education or training, 22 employers report that almost three in every 10 vacancies are hard to fill.”
The report went on to echo Ofsted criticism earlier this year on study programmes, saying: “Inspection found that colleges and schools with sixth forms in particular had failed to respond to the requirements of the new 16 to 19 study programmes quickly enough.”
English and maths teaching and learning was “still not good enough,” it said, and also claimed that “too many young people … leave the sector with insufficient direct experience of work at external employers.”
Sir Michael also repeated calls in last year’s annual report for greater employer engagement in the sector.
“If employers, especially small- or medium-sized enterprises, are going to get more involved in the design and delivery of apprenticeships and in vocational education more generally, they must be given the right support and incentives to do so,” he wrote.
“This could be channelled through existing employer networks, such as local enterprise partnerships and chambers of commerce. Such networks could help organise apprenticeships at a local level and give advice to employers on how to source training and funding.”
He added: “The FE and skills sector is generally better than it was two years ago in terms of the quality of provision. However, too many institutions are still not equipping learners with the knowledge and skills that employers seek.”
See edition 122 of FE Week, dated Monday, December 15, for more.
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‘Future-proof’ careers listed in new UKCES report
A new careers guidance report highlights today’s jobs that are set to stand the test of time and highlights trades that are likely grow in the years ahead.
Technology-rich roles such as mechanical engineers and software developers are among 40 jobs highlighted by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) in its 36-page Careers of the future report.
But although some shortlisted jobs are in emerging sectors, others are more traditional, with economic growth and technology expected to help future-proof roles such as train drivers, electricians and farmers.
The UKCES report, published today, identifies careers that labour market analysts believe offer some of the best opportunities for tomorrow’s jobseekers.
Jobs are analysed according to pay, business need and predicted job opportunities to produce a shortlist across ten sectors.
Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured above left) said: “This insight in to the jobs of the future will be an important tool in helping young people make more informed decisions about their career.
“Whether you want to become a mechanical engineer or nursery teacher, our reforms and commitment to driving up the quality of vocational education mean there are now a variety of equally valid and respected pathways in to the world of work.
“I want all young people to be able to fulfil their potential by choosing a route that best suits their skills and ambitions, whether that is developing skills in the workplace through an apprenticeship or studying at university.”
The report is aimed at parents, teachers and careers advisers.
Michael Davis (pictured above right), chief executive of UKCES, said: “This report presents a wealth of options for young people looking to make those all-important first steps into the world of work. It is also welcome news to see increasing opportunities for young people to combine earning and learning when finding their way into work.
“The next step is for employers and education providers to continue to develop close working relationships, inspiring young people and creating better jobs in the process.”
Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “The job market is changing fast with a whole range of opportunities requiring business-relevant skills. All young people should have access to a similar level of support to help them navigate and understand the array of options available to ensure they can make the right choice.
“The government cannot waste another day letting children and young people down on careers advice so we would like to see the establishment of careers hubs in every local area involving schools, colleges, local councils and others.”
Gifts sent to serviceman and women spending Christmas overseas
A group of GCSE learners from Lincoln College donated gifts and toiletries to members of the armed forces who will be away from their families at Christmas, writes Paul Offord.
Most people will soon be exchanging presents and tucking into their Christmas dinner in the company of loved ones.
But GCSE learners from Lincoln College were moved to take action to boost the spirits of men and women who will miss out on traditional home-comforts this festive season while serving with British armed forces overseas.
The learners filled two large bags with books and DVDs and 10 shoe and boot boxes with festive treats.
One of the students, Gemma Tester, aged 18, said: “Everyone brought in something that we thought we would appreciate if we were away from home at Christmas — I brought toiletries.
“I have friends that are in the Army and relatives that are married to people in the RAF and know that it must be awful to be so far from your loved ones at this time of year.”
The idea became reality after GCSE pathway lead Lynn Train-Brown heard from her 14-year-old daughter, Beth, that her Army cadets group, the Lincoln-based Abbey Detachment, was collecting gifts to send to those serving in Kabul, Sierra Leone, and other parts of the Middle East.
Ms Train-Brown said: “There has traditionally been strong links to the military in Lincolnshire — particularly the RAF which has bases in Scampton, Waddington and Coningsby, which means that many of our staff and students are either ex-forces or have relatives currently serving.
“The Army cadet group was also based at the college until earlier this year and they still have close links with us, so we really wanted to help out.”
She asked a group of 24 GCSE learners if they would like to support the cause and they enthusiastically agreed.
“The students put in things like toiletries, Christmas puddings and hats that they had brought in from home,” said Mrs Train-Brown.
“They also donated lots of tinsel and other Christmas decorations so the troops can brighten up their tents while they’re away.”
She added a number of learners put letters in the boxes which they wrote themselves and were hoping to receive replies.
Ms Train-Brown said: “We were told that troops who are missing home and might not have many people to keep in contact with really appreciate being written to.”
The overall campaign is being run by Sergeant Instructor Kayleigh Tucker, from the Abbey Detachment.
She said: “The aim behind the scheme is to provide those serving overseas during the festive period with as much moral support as we possibly can.
“It is impossible to imagine how hard it is for servicemen and women to be so far away from their families, especially at this time of year, so it is our mission to ensure that serving soldiers have something to brighten their day this Christmas.”
Main photo caption: (From left) Sergeant Instructor Kayleigh Tucker and cadet Kereen Hitchborne
Disabled learner runs college fair
HJA teenager with cerebral palsy raised £150 through a Christmas fair to help fund sport and social clubs that are accessible to people with disabilities.
Rebekah Gill (pictured), aged 17, who is currently on a one-year individual learning programme at City College Norwich aimed at helping develop her life and employability skills, is confined to a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy.
She organised the fair at the college with help from around 50 members of staff and students who ran 30 stalls offering Christmas craft gifts, jewellery, cakes, badge-making, a lucky dip and tombola. It raised £150 for her next project, which will be to set up disability-accessible social and sports clubs in the college and local community. A further £100 was raised for charities Dogs for the Disabled and Pets as Therapy.
She said: “I was really pleased with how the fair went and the amount of people who came. I would like to thank everyone who helped run the stalls and supported what we were doing.”
Photo caption: Rebekah Gill at the fair
Pitch perfect for training with Manchester United players
Christmas came early for learners from Salford City College Girls Football Academy when they were invited to train with Manchester United first-team footballers Marouane Fellaini, Jonny Evans, Ben Amos, Antonio Valencia and Anderson.
The students were invited invited to train on a synthetic pitch next to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand at Old Trafford with some of the club’s specialist women’s coaches.
They were thrilled when the Premier League stars joined in a kickabout and posed for photos with them afterwards.
One of the learners, Emma Farrington, aged 17, who is studying maths and English GCSEs and a diploma level three in sport, said: “I can’t believe we were given the opportunity to train at Old Trafford. The best bit was definitely meeting the players.”
Kelly Macphail, head coach at the academy, said: “The visit was a fantastic way to reward the team just before Christmas and hopefully this has inspired them to continue working hard so that we can finish this season on a high.”
Photo caption: (Back row from left) Marouane Fellaini, Ben Amos, Anderson, Antonio Valencia and Jonny Evans. Front row: Salford College Girls Academy footballers
Students think singer Jack has the X Factor
X-Factor singer Jack Walton performed and took part in a question and answer session at Lancashire-based Nelson and Colne College.
The singer was interviewed by A-level students Oscar Nommay and Kate Whitaker, both aged 18.
They asked what X Factor judge, Simon Cowell (pictured below) was like in real life and what the singer had done since leaving the show.
Mr Walton, who was part of ex-Spice Girl Mel B’s team on the TV talent show before being voted off last month, also performed to more than 100 guests outside the college’s Farringtons restaurant.
Principal Amanda Melton said: “We were thrilled that Jack was able to join in our festive fun.
“He was a great sport, posing for photos and agreeing to take part in an a question and answer session. Our students certainly enjoyed meeting him.”
Photo caption: Jack Walton performing
Sweet success with selling festive cakes and biscuits
Warrington Collegiate opened its doors to the local community for a fundraising festive market.
Stalls were run by level three hospitality and catering students, who sold home-made festive treats including Italian Christmas bread, cinder toffee, fudge, biscuits and stollen cake, along with a number of external traders.
Hospital and catering lecturer Scott Surtess led a team of level one and two learners from his course, They prepared and served soup, braised steak, red cabbage and mulled wine in the college restaurant.
There was also carol singing and a raffle for a festive hamper featuring a variety of tasty treats either donated or prepared by staff and students, including a Christmas pudding, which raised more than £150. The event raised more than £300 in total for St Rocco’s Hospice, in Warrington.
Bethan Bligh, manager of the college’s Learning Resource Centre, said: “As a college we are very much part of the wider community of Warrington and we wanted to run an event that would be fun for all the family.”
Photo caption: Trader Stacy Daly at her stall