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Pragmatism not evangelism needed on shift to digital

The march towards a digital future is not in doubt, but how colleges stay on course is the cause of many a sleepless night for those in the FE sector, explains Ian Fordham.

There is a critical mass of factors coming together around the digital agenda in the UK that has the potential to disrupt and change the way the organisations operate and do business, as well as having far-reaching consequences for FE colleges and providers on the ground.

Numerous reports, including the Government Digital Strategy and Digital Inclusion plan, working groups and other forums have been set up to understand the implications of the digital world, culminating in the much-heralded Further Education Learning Technology Action Group (Feltag) report.

But despite the promise of that report, and the now aspirational 10 per cent online learning requirement, we are hearing from many principals and senior leaders that they are frustrated and struggling to get to grips with where to go next on tech and the digital agenda.

From our work on the Digital Colleges programme, set up by The Education Foundation and Penny Power, chair of Digital Business Britain, we have found that there is a growing distance between the ‘promise of digital’ and frankly too much tech evangelism, and the reality on the ground, in terms of implementation and sustainable change.

In addition, leaders are looking for a much clearer roadmap to become Digital Colleges, and a digitally driven sector, rather than being sent down “technology cul-de-sacs”.

There is a growing distance between the ‘promise of digital’ and frankly too much tech evangelism

In our report, (visit www.digitalcolleges.co.uk to download a copy of the Digital Colleges report) launched at the Association of Colleges conference, we showcase the digital journeys of FE leaders who are delivering high quality digital solutions across their institutions and sprinting past other sectors in terms of innovation and impact in their use of digital.

We also set out a framework for digital colleges that brings together all areas of provider practice and administration, from HR to finance to the engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises and the community to harnessing the potential of social media for the good of the whole of the organisation.

By starting with a much broader definition of digital, we argue there is a much better chance of the vibrant FE and skills sector achieving its ambitions.

And while the lights dim on Feltag and the new cross-Whitehall Education Technology Action Group reports its mostly school-related findings in January 2015, it is vital that the FE sector is on the front foot in the digital arena and there is a clear policy roadmap from government to ensure this transformation is not cut short.

Like many pragmatic colleges and leaders, we as an organisation are not dazzled by the bright lights of technology — but the digital economy is here to stay and growing at a frenetic pace.

The digital economy now accounts for almost 9 per cent of total GDP and between 2009 and 2012, 83,000 new technology and digital industry jobs were created, while the number of tech and digital companies has almost doubled from 50,000 to 88,000.

The FE and skills sector must harness its potential and be at the forefront of its development of this important sector, not technology for technology’s sake, but rather technology for all learners, staff and the wider community.

Now is the time for FE and policy leaders to move past the “bright lights of tech” and see the systemic change happening in this space.

It is vital that the leaders and ideas identified in our Digital Colleges report become the norm and not the exception.

As one FE principal said at the launch of our report, the Digital Colleges programme challenges the FE and skills sector to consider the digital agenda across the learner journey, across our businesses and between our stakeholders.

Its focus is not on a new paradigm or promise but on pragmatism, for far too long the digital box has been empty and the challenge for college leaders is to fill it with purpose.

We couldn’t agree more and welcome dialogue from the sector about how we can work together to achieve this vision.

Secret Principal Edition 119

The principal of a large and well-established FE college writes about life at the top — the worries, the hopes, the people and the issues they have to deal with every day.

So it’s Association of Colleges conference time again. I think this is my fourteenth year of coming and to be frank not much has changed over the years.

The usual scene through the course of the three or so days is a few hollow-eyed and grim looking faces following the late nights being entertained by delights of the Hyatt bar for instance late on Tuesday evening is an exhibition in itself.

We were treated to a fairly predictable and heavy political assessment of our world punctuated with some talk about skills and education

But conference does provide some respite to the long and hard first term we all have to deal with.

Let’s face it, conference provides a mix of serious and intelligent debate together with some light-hearted fun too. The exhibition stands and staff from over 130 exhibitors this year vying for the attention of principals, FE is big business for many of them and they have a captive audience.

On Tuesday, we were treated to a fairly predictable and heavy political assessment of our world punctuated with some talk about skills and education. Talk of men in white coats got my attention early on and there were a few raised eyebrows later in the day when Gaganomics entered our psyche. I wonder how many people are now going to try and explain that one to staff on their return to work? Seriously though, it was thought-provoking and reminded me of a recent headline from this paper and a principal who didn’t quite get it right on social media. Bet he had a poker face (pun intended) when that presentation was going on.

Dr Collins had the majority of the audience eating out the palm of his hand in a way only he can do

Martin Doel gave in my view a good speech urging conference to challenge the politicians on differing fronts. Well that would be good but for some reason when Nick Boles sat on the sofa with Emily Maitlis following a rather dull and uninspired speech it simply didn’t happen. Emily failed to get the audience engaged and allow us to question him. Mr Boles started by saying how vital and important education is to the economy both short and long term but when pressed about ring fencing funding for 16 to 18 he became more non committal than ever. Shame, literally.

On the other hand Liam Byrne gave in my opinion a far better account of himself. Then we had Dr David Collins interviewed about his role as FE Commissioner and the lessons learned over the past year. A few minutes in and he had the majority of the audience eating out the palm of his hand in a way only he can do. I predict a knighthood within two years.

Because of print deadline I can’t comment on what Vince Cable and others will say but it will probably if not definitely be his last time addressing conference, I think without his firm stance and belief that FE transforms people’s lives and is fundamentally good for business and the economy our sector would be in a far worse state. Thanks Vince.

Finally, it was especially good to hear FE Week described by Emily as the “bible” for the sector. A little controversial maybe but pleasing none the less.

Thai boxer wins double-gold in world championship

An East Durham College level two sport student has returned home from Italy with two world championship gold medals for Thai boxing.

Leigh Newton, aged 16, who took up the sport two years ago, fought in the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) finals in Tuscany this month.

She won the 48kg weight category and picked up gold in a second discipline, K1, which incorporates elements of karate and kung fu.

“Just to get to the world championships was a fantastic opportunity,” said Leigh.

“It was great being part of the England team and going out there to compete on behalf of my country. I am really proud to have brought these medals home.”

“I look forward now to continue to work hard and improve in the sport with the help of the boxing coaches at the college.”

Picture caption: Leigh Newton with her medals

Singer finds his way to Walsall College… via Facebook

Singer Tony Christie found his way to Walsall College to pose for a portrait photo taken by a student who contacted him through Facebook.

Mr Christie, who topped the UK singles chart in 2005 when his signature tune Is this the way to Amarillo? was re-released, lives 10 miles away from the college in Lichfield.

Student Kristofor Green, 32, sent a message to the singer via his Facebook page asking if he could pose for a portrait and was thrilled when he agreed.

He said: “Our tutor set us the difficult challenge of taking a portrait photo of a famous person. I always try my best to complete a challenge, so I did some research about local celebrities and came across Tony Christie.”

“I was amazed when Tony said he would be ok with being photographed.”

Photography tutor Bryn Griffiths said: “In completing this task, Kristofor has shown a lot of passion and determination, two attributes of a great photographer and I’m confident he will have a successful career in the industry post college.”

Picture caption: from left: Singer Tony Christie with photography student Kristofor Green

Agriculture studies return to college after 13 year absence

Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) invited local farmers to a celebration of the re-launch of agriculture into its syllabus after a 13-year absence, writes Paul Offord.

A college that stopped offering agriculture courses following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease is now helping tackle the problem of farming’s ageing working population.

There were farming-based courses taught at the 1500-learner Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) for more than 50 years until they were stopped in 2001.

The college was even rebranded — it is only called BCA on its website — to avoid confusion after it stopped teaching agriculture, but carried on offering a variety of FE courses including sport, equine studies, science, floristry and horticulture.

But it launched a level three extended diploma in agriculture in September which was celebrated this month with an official launch party.

It was attended by more than 20 local farmers, past and present students and representatives from the Country Land Owners Association and the National Farmers Union.

Victoria Beckwith, head of horticulture, countryside and agriculture, said: “Our slogan for the launch event was ‘putting the A back into BCA’ as it was obviously a shame that a college with our name had stopped teaching agriculture.”

Current learners celebrated the return of agriculture to the syllabus at the launch event by restaging black and white photos taken of students in 1949.

Mrs Beckwith said: “The college first opened in 1948 when we were the Berkshire Institute of Agriculture and mainly prepared servicemen returning from the Second World War to work in farming.

“We were sadly forced to stop teaching the subject after an outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001 because farmers weren’t sending their children to train with us any more, as they weren’t certain there was a future in livestock and arable farming.”

Ms Beckwith-King said the outlook for the farming industry was now far more positive and they took the decision to launch the new course following a number of enquiries from local farmers.

She said: “We are seeing an ageing population among the agriculture workforce and decided we needed to do something to help train the next generation.

“The course itself covers livestock and arable farming, estate management which involves things like managing fencing and hedgerows, and tractor skills.”

Local farmer and college governor Colin Rayner turned 54 acres of grassland on college grounds into a working arable farm over the summer which the students will now train on.

Mrs Beckwith said: “They will gain hands’ on experience of things like growing crops and how to work a tractor.

“They will also work at local farms which run dairy and livestock herds and help with looking after them and things like milking.

“We used to have Friesian and Jersey herds of cattle, but sold-off our old working dairy farm to developers after we stopped running the course.”

A total of 11 women and seven men, aged between 16 and 28, have signed-up for the course so far.

Mrs Beckwith Smith said: “Farming used to be quite male-orientated but our first intake reflects how that is changing.”

Picture caption: Current agriculture students outside the college

‘Rioting’ learners help to train the police

Level three public services students from Chichester College attacked the police with rocks and wooden planks in a riot re-enactment.

The event at Longmore Army Camp, near Petersfield, was organised by Sussex, Surrey and Kent police forces to give officers experience of how to deal with large-scale public disorders.

Public services lecturer Rob Giles said: “Every single one of the 36 students [who took part] got into character and really played up to the role of rioters in a way that would be valuable experience for the police.

“They replicated a full-on civil disturbance by throwing bricks and wooden blocks, while controlled petrol bombs and pieces of rubber were also used make the ‘disturbance’ look as realistic as possible.”

Sussex Police sergeant Helen Dunkling said: “The students appeared to throw themselves into their roles and made for an excellent and realistic cross section of society.”

Picture caption: Learners hurling rocks

Labour leader speaks to college staff and students

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband came in for a grilling from journalism students from Harlow College during a visit.

They quizzed him on tuition fees, youth unemployment and how he deals with pressure, among other issues, on Wednesday, November 12.

Tom Powter, a 21-year-old learner studying for National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) qualifications, said: “Meeting and interviewing Mr Miliband was a fantastic opportunity for me as a trainee reporter.

“I felt the college set up the day excellently and it gave us an amazing insight into the dizzying world of political journalism.”

Mr Miliband told staff and students that he faced “a fight that I’m up for”.

He pledged to reduce university tuition fees to £6,000 per year if elected as Prime Minister next year. He also said Labour would extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds and promised that his party would not go back on promises to students.

Picture caption: Ed Miliband speaking at Harlow College

Cash boost for award winning entrepreneurs

A team of budding entrepreneurs from Barking & Dagenham College won £5,000 through developing digital business cards that can be shared via an app and online.

Animation and IT students Thomas Gill, aged 21, Steven Upton, 19, Phil Newberry, 22, Tony Newberry, 21, scooped first prize in the team section of the Edge Challenge.

The competition was launched last year by education charity the Edge Foundation, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and the Gazelle Colleges Group.

This year’s finalists had to pitch start-up business ideas to an audience at The Skills Show in Birmingham on Thursday (November 13) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg handed out the awards.

Steven said: “Winning the Edge Challenge was a real boost for us. It process encouraged us to really think hard about our business and make the most of it.”

David Humpston, 19, who graduated in June from a level three BTec in enterprise and entrepreneurship at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy took home £3,000 for winning the individual category.

He impressed judges with his action video production company called Viewpoint Videos.

He said: “The feedback I have had from the judges has been incredibly useful and I’m so excited to have won.”

Picture Caption: from left: Winning students Tony Newberry and Thomas Gill, Jan Hodges OBE, chief executive of the Edge Foundation, Theo Paphitis, the Skills Show patron, and students Phil Newberry and Steven Upton

Traineeship ‘evolution’ announced as Boles rejects new funding system plan

Plans for a new traineeship funding system, in which providers could be paid based on learner job outcomes for 2015/16, has been rejected by Skills Minister Nick Boles.

The government’s eight-week consultation on traineeships considered making progression into apprenticeships, jobs or further learning a funding incentive.

Launching the consultation in June, then-Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said he wanted to find out whether an “approach designed specifically for traineeships, rather than based on existing arrangements, could produce better results for young people”.

But traineeships will continue to be funded using the “existing funding systems,” meaning 16 to 18-year-olds remain funded per learner by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and 19 to 24-year-olds funded per enrolment by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).

The rejection of a move to a new traineeship job outcome funding system, revealed today in the government’s consultation response, is likely to receive a warm welcome with colleges arguing that local employment opportunities for trainees are outside of their control.

Mr Boles said sector responses to the consultation, which closed on August 14, meant the government favoured an “evolutionary approach” to reform.

“We will make these changes within the existing funding systems, thereby avoiding unnecessary disruption for providers that a new funding system might bring,” it said in the government’s response.

This, despite the Association of Employment and Learning Providers calling for a new funding system in its response to the consultation, where it said: “There should be a single set of [traineeship] funding rules and a single funding process.”

Changes to eligibility rules for the scheme held the main element of the government response, issued today, with 19 to 24-year-olds that hold a level two qualification being allowed to take up traineeships from January.

“The changes I am announcing today are based on feedback directly from those involved in the programme. I am confident it will be even easier to create top quality traineeships, focused on getting young people into apprenticeships and other jobs” Mr Boles is expected to say at the Association of Colleges (AoC) annual conference today in Birmingham.

However, one of the changes for 2015/16 is the government’s approach to funding 19 to 24 traineeship workplace outcome.

It will allow progression into further learning for 19 to 24-year-olds to count as an acceptable outcome for funding. With the SFA funding 80 per cent of traineeships based on learners simply getting to the end of the programme, and the remaining 20 per cent based on outcome, it means that providers could get 100 per cent of funding for the pre-employment scheme despite no job outcome for the learner.

The move means the same funding result as that of 16 to 18-year-old traineeship providers, who get 100 per cent of funding based on whether learners get to the end of the programme.

“We will make progression to further learning of 19 to 24-year-olds an acceptable outcome for funding, as is presently the case for 16 to 18-year-olds,” it said in the consultation response.

The AoC has previously made its feelings known to the government regarding learner outcomes potentially affecting funding. Joy Mercer, AoC director of education policy, responding to the government’s August consultation launch on FE outcome-based success measures, said: “The government must be careful not to confuse helpful data on which courses can lead to better employment prospects, with expecting colleges to have direct responsibility for job success.

“Some colleges are operating in the most deprived areas where jobs are scarce, and the government must accept that there are a whole range of local stakeholders, in particular Local Enterprise Partnerships, who also play a key role in creating new employment opportunities.”

For reaction, see edition 119 of FE Week, dated Monday, November 24 (but available at AoC conference from Thursday, August 20).