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Cycle signs created for Tour de… Yorkshire

Leeds City College students created signs to be put up along route of the opening stage of the Tour de France through Yorkshire.

Keighley Brewery Timothy Taylor commissioned the college to create more than 30 cycle-shaped signs.

They were cut from plywood, sanded and painted by eight level two electrical engineering students in a college workshop.

The signs will displayed outside the brewery’s pubs that will be passed by competitors on the tour in Skipton, Keighley and Leeds on July 5 and 6.

Chris Stott, the college’s business operations and sales manager, said: “It has been a great experience for all involved, and everyone is looking forward to seeing the signs in place and potentially spotting some of them on TV [during coverage of the race].”

Picture caption: Back from left: Student Leon Smith, aged 23, Timothy Taylor’s pub operations manager Heike Funke, Leeds City College business
operations manager Chris Stott, students Luke Smith, 25, and Stephen Dinsdale, 23. Front from left: Students Zach Milnes and Time
Etherington, 18, and Ben Smith, 23

Award for campaigning student with Asperger’s

A campaigning student with Asperger’s syndrome has been presented with an award at a ceremony which recognises the most inspirational young people in Walsall.

Bradley Hesom, aged 17, who is studying level one hospitality and catering at Walsall College, received the personal development award at the third annual Walsall Young People Awards.

Despite having Asperger’s syndrome, Bradley has led campaigns at the college to stop bullying and discourage students from taking out payday loans.

He is also a student governor and vice-president of the Students’ Union. The roles required him to liase with community leaders on behalf of the college during a Holocaust
Memorial Day event at the campus in April.

He said: “I really enjoy my role at Walsall College and was shocked to win the award. It will have pride of place on my mantlepiece at home.” Colin Sherlock, student engagement and enrichment officer, said: “Bradley has Asperger’s syndrome and actively aims to increase awareness of the fact that it doesn’t stop him leading an
extraordinary life and making the most of every opportunity.”

Picture caption: Bradley Hesom shows off his award outside Walsall College

Byrne quizzed on ‘pregnant panda question’

Labour’s stance on government apprenticeship reforms in which employers will take a greater role in drawing up frameworks and be expected to pay 33 per cent of provider costs has been likened to a “pregnant panda question”.

Shadow Skills Minister Liam Byrne was put on the spot about his party’s view of the apprenticeship reforms at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) conference.

Following his speech, Mr Byrne was quizzed by Channel 4 journalist and conference host Cathy Newman.

She said: “I just want to pin you down on what I suppose is a real pregnant panda question, because there was a lot there [in your speech] about what the government is doing wrong, but I suppose it’s a kind of immaculate conception just to continue the metaphor. Your long-term claim is that everything will be rosy under Labour, but how?

“I just wanted to pin you down on one particular point – the government reforms to apprenticeships, putting the employer in charge, just spell out the detail about where you stand on that.”

Mr Byrne said: “I can see how some of those plans would work for big businesses, so if you’re Rolls Royce or Jaguar
Land Rover and running very big apprenticeship programmes, getting the money through a tax break probably works quite well.

“I am really doubtful that it’s going to work for small businesses and that troubles me. If we want to double the number of apprenticeships, then you’ve got to build
a system which works for small
businesses.”

Mr Byrne would not comment on whether a future Labour government would “unpick” any of the reforms, and when quizzed about how he could accuse the government of pursuing “quantity over quality” while also claiming to want to double the number of apprenticeships, he said he didn’t think there was “any conflict”.

He added that he was “not convinced” that it would take “a lot more funding” to deliver both higher quality and a higher quantity of apprenticeships.

But Mr Byrne wasn’t the only politician to be wrong-footed at the conference after Employment Minister Esther McVey got confused by questions from the floor about her own apprentice and Skills Minister Matthew Hancock was taunted about his punctuality by Ms Newman.

Introducing the minister, Ms Newman reminded delegates of a time when he missed out on an ITV Daybreak interview after turning up late.

Mr Hancock responded by saying: “It’s normal at this stage to say thank you very much for that kind introduction. I’ll leave that bit out.”

But it was Ms McVey’s admission that she didn’t know she was supposed to pay a cash contribution for an apprentice over the age of 19 which caused the most controversy among delegates on day one.

Speaking less than two hours after her colleague Mr Hancock had made the case for employer contributions for all apprenticeships, Ms McVey insisted she had paid her apprentice the national minimum wage, but said nothing about how training was funded, insisting apprenticeships weren’t “her area”.

Gove seeks college help after latest UTC blow

Education Secretary Gove asks Bedford College to save UTC
All Ofsted UTC results inadequate or requires improvement
‘Too early to critisize UTC programme’ — UTCs’ spokesperson

Education Secretary Michael Gove has called on a general FE college in Bedfordshire to save the latest University Technical College (UTC) to suffer Ofsted grading disappointment.

A spokesperson for Bedford College said it was stepping in at the request of Mr Gove at the inadequate-rated Central Bedfordshire UTC — the third UTC to have been inspected.

The Black Country UTC was given a grade three rating last year and Hackney UTC got one in February, while the remaining 14 UTCs are yet to be inspected.

A spokesperson for the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which oversees the establishment of UTCs, said: “This Ofsted judgment [of Central Bedfordshire UTC] does not apply to the whole UTC programme.

“UTCs are a new provision, 17 are open across England, most of which opened in 2013 so there is limited data on performance. It is too early to criticise the UTC programme.”

Inspectors criticised the quality of leadership, governance, teaching and the curriculum at Central Bedfordshire UTC, and said learning was “not secure” because teachers “do not always check students’ understanding or how well they have developed skills in lessons”.

A spokesperson for the UTC, which specialises in engineering and design, said: “Bedford College will begin working with us immediately to support our teaching and learning. They will be developing and building on the very important work on raising standards that has been led by our interim principals Ursula Byrne and Russell Ball.”

Bedford College principal Ian Pryce said: “We believe that there is strong demand for technical education within the local community and we will begin work immediately with parents, pupils and the staff to ensure the UTC quickly gains a reputation as one of the best local schools in the area.”

The move will formally take effect from September, but the college has already started working with the UTC’s existing staff and governors.

It comes after capacity figures for the 150-pupil UTC were revealed in answer to a parliamentary question last year showing it was just 30 per cent full last academic year.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “If Ofsted continues to judge the UTC to be inadequate, then we will not hesitate to take swift action, which could lead to terminating the UTC’s funding agreement.”

The UTC’s current lead sponsors are the University of Bedfordshire, which said it would “support Bedford College” in addressing Ofsted’s concerns; and Cranfield University, which said it had “no plan” to withdraw from its relationship with the UTC but was reviewing its association due to staff changes.

Central Bedfordshire College is also a lead sponsor. Its spokesperson said: “We and will be having discussions with the UTC about how it would like to develop our relationship for the future.”

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Editorial

‘No learner is in an institution — that has been rated by Ofsted — any better than requires improvement.’

It’s the kind of statement the general FE college sector has had to endure from Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw in the past.

But it’s not one that can be levelled at the sector.

No, it’s a statement that applies to the University Technical College (UTC) brand, where a total of three inspections so far have produced two grade three results and now an inadequate one.

You’d have expected these shiny new institutions to be standard-bearers in terms of quality having been among of the first UTCs set up — and perhaps they are exactly that.

But that standard is worryingly low.

And with a local general FE college being asked to sweep in and sort out the latest mess, you can’t help but ask why there isn’t more promotion of the sector’s potential for 14 to 16-year-olds.

After all, it’s doing a good job so far with Ofsted producing complimentary reports of direct recruitment at Hull College, Middlesbrough College, Leeds City College and NCG, in Newcastle.

It’s time to give general FE colleges the limelight and ask serious questions of Lord Baker’s UTC project.

Chris Henwood, editor

VQ Day

Owen’s blinder at VQ Day Awards

Day Awards celebrate the learners, employers and teachers who demonstrate the success of vocational learning.

The learner of the year, the newly qualified FE teacher of the year and the employer of the year were all crowned at the ceremony in London on Tuesday night (June 3).

Nine regional learner of the year winners also received awards.

National learner of the year went to 22-year-old Owen Henley, a former Runshaw College BTec media production student, who also won the North West regional award.

Owen, currently a freelance camera assistant on BBC drama Peaky Blinders, starring Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy, said he was “surprised” to win.

Bishop Auckland College sport, fitness and uniformed public services curriculum manager Katy Graham won the newly qualified teacher award.

Katy, a former police officer who has encouraged disadvantaged students to apply for higher level programmes, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon — I love what I do.”

VQ Day employer of the year was claimed by electrical contractors Clarkson Evans. HR and training director Lindsey Young said: “We train young people because it’s the right thing to do — it works for them, it works for us and it works for the economy.”

Lord Kenneth Baker, chair of VQ Day organisers Edge, said the evening was “a huge collection of talent, originality, creativity and enterprise”.

Click here to view the event feature: FE week E105-10-11 VQ

Main pic: Edge chief executive Jan Hodges OBE and the nine regional winners of the VQ Day learner of the year award 2014. From left: Helen Carr, Eva Martin, Ms Hodges, Mitchell Brice, Owen Henley, Antoine Coevoet, Millie Stammers, Zoe Warner, Melissa Jackson, Lee Bellamy

Former principal of Warwickshire College steps in at troubled Lewisham and Southwark College (Lesoco)

Lesoco has brought in the former chair of the 157 Group to take over as interim consultant principal following the departure of Maxine Room.

Ioan Morgan, who will be officially employed by the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) recruitment arm AoC Create, will take up the role at the college on Monday (June 9).

Mr Morgan was principal of Warwickshire College until 2010 and the first chair of the 157 Group when it was formed in 2006.

He will face the task of turning around Lesoco’s fortunes after it was slapped with an inadequate Ofsted grading in January, which prompted a visit from FE Commissioner Dr David Collins who then questioned college leadership.

Mr Morgan said: “I am proud to be joining the Lesoco team as it faces the challenge of recovering its historic pre-eminent position among FE colleges.

“We must ensure that leadership at all levels in the college focuses on high-quality teaching and learning. This is our core business.

“The college’s learners and its local communities deserve an excellent college to ensure economic prosperity.”

He also contributed to the Foster Report into the future of FE colleges, which recommended setting up the 157 Group and advised the last Labour government on FE policy.

The 17,600-learner college was formed in 2012 following a merger between Lewisham and Southwark colleges.

A college spokesperson said he was “not aware” of any moves to rename or rebrand the college, although he added Mr Morgan would be looking at “every aspect of the college”.

Mr Morgan caused controversy in 2009 when he was offered the post of chief executive of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, only to back out after the announcement had been made, but before contracts had been signed.

John Landeryou, chair of governors at the college, said: “We are delighted that Ioan will be joining us. His track record at the highest level in FE is second to none.

“After the successful completion of the merger, Lesoco is now focused firmly on quality.

“We are grateful to Maxine for the transition to the merged college and are looking forward to making rapid progress under Ioan’s leadership.”

Colleges and schools to put performance measures on website home pages

Colleges and schools will have to show key performance data on their website home pages under Department for Education (DfE) proposals that went out to consultation today.

The at-a-glance post-16 measures will include students’ progress in academic subjects or Tech Levels as well as students’ average grades in each category.

Colleges and school sixth forms would also be expected to show the progress made by students who joined them without a C in English and / or maths, what proportion of their students drop out, and what proportion of their students go on to further study, a job or training at the end of their courses (when data is robust enough).

The consultation ends on July 4 with the proposals expected to come into force from 2016.

Schools Minister David Laws said: “The information that will be published online by every school and college in future will support parents when choosing the best school or college for their child and help them challenge poor performance.”

Current guidelines already require schools to publish information on performance. However, where and how this information is presented varies between schools and colleges. A DfE spokesperson said this made it “difficult and time-consuming” for parents to find information. Up until now colleges have not been required to publish evidence of their performance online.

It comes after a similar Ofsted consultation ended last month that would allow its inspection reports to be used for comparison between school sixth forms and colleges. The education watchdog is looking at introducing a separate inspection grade for school sixth forms.

However, DfE’s proposals also affect primary schools, who will have to show pupils’ progress from age four to 11, among other things. And secondary schools will have to show pupils’ progress from age 11 to 16, including average grades across eight subjects.

Edition 105: Ian Crews, Marcus Potter and Peter Martin

A principal designate has been appointed at a University Technical College (UTC) in Devon that is set to open its doors in September next year.

Ian Crews, currently vice principal of Cornwall’s Bodmin College Academy, will take up the post at South Devon UTC, in Newton Abbot, which specialises in engineering, water and the environment, from September.

The 51-year-old said: “It will be a privilege to lead the exciting development and setting up of South Devon UTC. I am really looking forward to working with the young people of South Devon to encourage them along a science or engineering-based pathway into a rewarding career.”

Professor Janice Kay, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Exeter and chair of the South Devon UTC board of directors, said: “Throughout the application process, I was extremely impressed by Ian’s wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, both as a technician and an educator.”

Meanwhile, Lantra — the sector skills council for land-based and environmental industries and an awarding organisation — has appointed Marcus Potter as its new chief executive.

He started on May 27 having previously been executive director of market development with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Mr Potter said: “I am delighted to be joining Lantra at this important time.

“While the funding environment has become more challenging, I’m convinced that the need is greater than ever for Lantra’s expertise and services.

“I believe the organisation’s future lies in strong collaboration with partners and in making sure that we understand our customers and stay relevant to their requirements.

“We are passionate about equipping land-based businesses with the skills they need to support innovation, reduce risk and raise productivity.

“It’s important that this sector sees investment in skills not as a cost of compliance but as having real bottom-line benefit.”

Chair Valerie Owen said: “We are extremely happy to welcome Marcus to the organisation.

“He brings extensive experience of developing collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and a track record of identifying market opportunities and launching new business initiatives which meet customer needs. We wish him all the best, and look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Mr Potter replaced Peter Martin who stepped down last October after 12 years as chief executive before Robert Tabor acted as interim chief executive.

Mr Martin said: “It has been a pleasure to work with a highly committed team of people here at Lantra over the past 12 years.

“Together we have achieved much. Agriculture and the wider land-based industries have an exciting future, and I am sure that Lantra will share in their success.”

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation please let us know by emailing news@feweek.co.uk

Main pic: From left: Ian Crews, Marcus Potter and Peter Martin

Apprenticeships for trainers and assessors?

The publication by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) of the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Training, and the supporting guidance, provides the sector with an inspirational yet realistic framework to build on.

Traditionally work-based learning and apprenticeship providers have far fewer graduate employees than other education sectors.

Most of our professional staff are skilled craftsmen and women direct from the industry shop floor rather than graduates via an academic route.

Solid vocational experience in the sector in which a work-based learning assessor/trainer operates is essential. It is the ‘dual role,’ so clearly expressed in the ETF’s standards, of vocational experience coupled with teaching and assessing skills that provides the professionalism required of staff to undertake this role.

These standards give employers in work-based learning an ideal opportunity under the new apprenticeship trailblazer pilots to implement a higher apprenticeship programme for our trainers and assessors at levels four and five.

What a marvellous example of practicing what we preach.

The ETF’s Professional Standards could form the standard for an apprenticeship in this sector for trainers and assessors

We advocate apprenticeships for the various sectors we operate in as the best route to train and develop their workforce so we should celebrate the fact that we develop our own staff through the apprenticeship route.

Again it will build empathy with the trainer-assessor’s learners to know their learner either has undertaken or is currently undertaking their own apprenticeship.

Promoting work-based learning (WBL) trainers and assessors into management roles presents its own problems for the sector, especially if they have no previous management experience.

I have learned to my cost over the years that a good trainer assessor does not necessarily make a good manager. The skillset required is completely different.

The management role in work-based learning is complex and demanding as with the rest of the sector. While the overriding skill has to be one of leadership, numerous other facets go to make up the job role. Again there is a case for employers in the sector to produce a trailblazer management apprenticeship framework for the WBL sector. While generalist management qualifications and apprenticeships are currently available, WBL training providers would need to devise specific modules for this sector.

The current skills minister’s approach to put employers in the forefront of apprenticeships and control of the content gives the WBL sector an ideal opportunity to take charge of the professional qualifications for WBL trainers, assessors and managers through our own advanced and higher level three, four and five apprenticeship programmes. The ETF’s Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Training could form the standard for an apprenticeship in this sector for trainers and assessors. The Institute of Leadership and Management’s management modules together with WBL specific modules form the basis for a WBL management apprenticeship.

Employers from the sector, possibly facilitated by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers could come together to initially persuade the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills of the need for our WBL apprenticeships to be included in the trailblazer pilots, and then to produce the standards and frameworks for the pilot.

Are we brave enough to practice what we preach?

John Hyde is the chairman of Hit Training