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Bursary scheme announced for early years apprenticeships

The government today announced a £2m apprenticeship bursary scheme for the early years profession.

Learners aiming at a career in early education will be able to apply for a bursary worth up to £1,500, with a further £300 available for more training, from September.

There will be up to 1,000 bursary places available.

Elizabeth Truss, Childcare and Education Minister, said: “Caring for and educating young children is a fantastically rewarding job.

“The bursaries announced today will make it easier for talented people to start a career in early education.

“Providing good quality early education is proven to help young children get a head-start in life, especially those who are from poorer backgrounds.

“I hope these bursaries encourage students to consider working in early education.”

In January, in More Great Childcare, the government said it would build a stronger and more professional early years workforce with more rigorous qualifications.

The apprenticeship bursary will be a transitional scheme ahead of the Early Years Educator qualifications in 2014. The Apprenticeship Bursary Scheme will also seek to support the delivery of the early learning places for two-year-olds.

The scheme, which will be run by the National College for Teaching and Leadership, will be open to applications from September.

To be eligible, applicants will need to secure an apprenticeship position in a nursery or other provision that delivers the early learning places for two year olds; and hold at least a GCSE, at grade C or above, in English and maths.

A spokesperson for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers said: “We welcome additional support for apprentices and are pleased that apprenticeships are seen as a major part of the solution in childcare training.

“We also hope that the National College will work closely with independent training providers who are already well established in the childcare sector on the allocation of the bursaries.

“We have some real concerns about excluding those without GCSEs in English or maths at grade C or above.

“We have also expressed our concern that at a time when we should be encouraging more apprenticeships in the sector, the introduction of loans for those in this group aged over 24 will reduce the potential take-up.”

Apprenticeships are expected to last an average of 20 months. They will consist of employment and study to gain a recognised qualification through various routes, including further education colleges.

Why are so few applying for principalship?

Ofsted, funding cuts, policy changes . . . it’s no surprise that the number of prospective FE principals/chief executives is falling, says Mike Hopkins

A straw poll of principal and chief executive colleagues makes clear the reality of the decline in the number of prospective principals. Why has this happened?

Broadly speaking, issues include Ofsted and the price that has to be paid for failure; the resulting caution of vice-principals and other senior managers; the complexity of combining the senior academic role of principal and the business orientated one of chief executive.

Then there’s the loss of autonomy as a result of FE finding itself at the heart of education politics; caution about recruiting from outside the sector; and the pressures of dealing with reduced funding.

The respondents to my straw poll saw Ofsted as an ‘adversarial’ organisation. One described the principal as having the job security of a Premier League football manager without the rewards. Officially outstanding colleges could become officially failing ones at the change of a common inspection framework.

One respondent described the principal as having the job security of a Premier League football manager without the rewards”

One respondent questioned why a person would apply to a college that ‘requires improvement’. Sustainable improvement could take two to three years with a reinspection in significantly less time than that.

Similarly, why would a person apply to an ‘outstanding’ college with the risk of an inferior grade awarded at the next inspection (which could be triggered by his or her arrival) and the governors seeking an immediate scapegoat?

Many respondents referred to their perceived loss of autonomy as FE became one of the key battleground’s of education party politics.

Despite New Challenges, New Chances, many felt that the focus on data, year-on-year cuts in funding, and frequent and often contradictory shifts in policy had all impaired any autonomy to make decisions.

Some lamented the absence of investment in a national training school and credible training for the principal/chief executive role. Others noted that most colleges still appointed from a field ‘limited’ to people who had risen to management via teaching.

The focus on ‘teaching’ could be overdone, they said, leading to a ‘bigotry’ around appointing from outside the sector.

Finally, it was also noted that senior leaders at vice-principal level were also focused on teaching and learning and therefore did not get the chance to develop the other skills required of the chief executive – for example, business acumen.

The role of principal had become far more complex since Incorporation. Having credibility in the teaching workforce combined with academic improvement, while also driving a multi-million business forward, required a broad set of skills.

When I began my career 32 years ago, my first principal would arrive into college at 8.45am precisely, with The Times folded neatly under his arm and sporting a yellow rose on his elegant Prince of Wales check suit. Generally, he wouldn’t be seen throughout the day until he left for home at 5pm.

A lot has changed since those long lost days and, despite all the pressures, much for the better.

It is tough, but it’s perhaps, in part, that toughness that makes the job such a delight and challenge.

But more than that, how many jobs can have such value-driven ethics at their heart?

Being an FE principal or chief executive is about being socially conscious, seeking economic and social equality and being at the heart of the skills chain.

It is at the heart of progressive politics, and I’d encourage anyone who is interested in that, to put themselves forward.

Mike Hopkins is chair of the Professional Principals’ Council and principal of Middlesbrough College

FE Guild renamed as a foundation

The FE Guild is to be renamed the Education and Training Foundation, FE Week can reveal.

The body, created to provide training and set professional standards in FE, has been registered at Companies House under the new name, said independent steering group chair David Hughes.

Due to launch in August, it was incorporated on May 22 and registered to the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) London HQ.

Mr Hughes, also chief executive of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, said the new name was “fully encompassing of the whole sector”.

“I am very pleased that we have now been able to register the new company under the name the Education and Training Foundation,” he said.

“Throughout the initial development phase there has been broad agreement about the need, remit and priorities for a new organisation but very diverse views about what the name should be.

We now have a name that best reflects the aims, priorities and values of the new organisation”

“Time after time people told us they wanted a name that really reflected our vision for the organisation — something that was modern, professional and fully encompassing of the entire sector.

“We listened to that feedback, discussed a range of suggestions, and have a name that best reflects the aims, priorities and values of the new organisation.”

The new title comes 10 months after FE Week first revealed the government was poised to set up a new professional body provisionally named FE Guild.

But a consultation earlier this year revealed that more than 60 per cent of respondents did not like the name.

Peter Davies, who headed a project tasked with shaping the foundation, said a survey on the new name was set up after around 200 consultation responses suggested the term FE did not “reflect the whole sector” while the word guild was “a bit traditional”.

Other suggestions had included the words skills, institute or alliance, the former principal of London-based adult education provider City Lit told FE Week at the time.

Companies House documents state the foundation’s board should be made up of no more than a dozen directors, including Duncan Anderson-Brown, an accountant who worked with the foundation’s steering group through its development and under whose name the body is registered.

According to the papers the directors will include three representatives appointed by the AoC, three by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers and one by the Association of Adult Education and Training Organisations (AAETO), which operates under the name HOLEX.

Mr Hughes said the first meeting of the new board, which this month appointed former New College Nottingham principal and chair of the Information Authority Sir Geoff Hall as the interim chief executive, would take place next month.

“Our next step is to engage leaders and practitioners in discussions about the priorities and the delivery plan,” added Mr Hughes.

First specialist college grade one under new regime

The first specialist college to achieve an outstanding grade under Ofsted’s tough new inspection regime has been announced.

David Lewis College, in Cheshire, which supports students aged 14 to 25 with complex learning difficulties, scored grade ones across all fields after it was inspected by the education watchdog in March.

The Ofsted report said: “The curriculum is outstanding. Learners are placed on courses at a level appropriate to their needs and personalised according to their changing circumstances.

“Learners benefit from extensive access to learning within the community and work placements.”

Billy McInally, the college’s director of education, told FE Week: “We’re absolutely delighted, particularly as the report recognises the work of everybody.

“Staff have been given the best training possible and share good practice through joint observations, attending meetings dedicated to sharing practice and having an open door policy. Everybody helps each other to improve.”

He said the nature of the needs his learners presented offered a “significant level of challenge”, but added: “Teaching our young people is different but it’s certainly not harder than a mainstream FE college — it just requires a slightly different approach.

“You can’t be successful unless you put the young person at the centre of everything — we base our curriculum on the needs of the individual.”

The college, made up of 87 students; 15 teachers and around 70 support staff, caters for learners with complex epilepsy, autism and learning difficulties and had its last inspection in 2007, resulting in a grade two result.

The report at the time said: “Many learners make good progress in their communication skills.

“However, the approach to increasing the communication skills for learners with complex needs is not sufficiently developed.”

It added: “The tracking and monitoring of learner progress is adequate, although the college recognises it requires further development.”

However, the achievement of the grade one result came under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, introduced from September. The framework includes a reduced inspection notice period from three weeks to two days and a potential re-inspection of providers ‘requiring improvement’ within 12 to 18 months.

You can’t be successful unless you put the young person at the centre of everything”

But the college’s glowing new Ofsted report highlighted the skills, enthusiasm and high quality practice of teachers, therapists and of specialist support staff.

“Staff work very well together to provide a high quality experience for the learners. Middle management is strong and provides excellent leadership for course teams,” said the report.

“Leadership and management are outstanding because of the relentless and successful drive for continuous improvement since the last inspection.”

Mr McInally said: “A process was put in place after our last inspection and we have been working towards improving our work for a number of years.

“This is recognition of that five years’ hard work and I am particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised the positive contribution of our entire college community.

“I would like to thank them all for the contributions they make, ensuring our students receive an outstanding learning experience, one that meets their individual needs.”

He added: “There is no doubt that by working together we can guarantee that the provision we offer our young people continues to be among the very best in the entire country.”

Apprenticeship search tool ‘on the way’

Potential apprentices will soon be able to find their route into a vocation more easily with a new online search tool currently under development, according to the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

Vic Grimes, divisional apprenticeship director for NAS in London and the South East, told providers about the service at an event in North West London on Tuesday.

He said it was “not far off” and would list apprenticeship availabilities.

It comes in response to a recommendation from businessman Jason Holt in his independent review into apprenticeships last year.

The online facility was revealed by Mr Grimes at training provider JGA Group’s Spring Team Forum in response to local teacher Peter Smith during a question and answer session.

“I have great difficulties finding a link to all providers borough-by-borough that I could direct my youngsters to finding an apprenticeship,” said Mr Smith.

“Youngsters do not have that information readily at hand and really need it.”

Mr Grimes said: “I totally agree with you.

“The Holt Review aimed to make apprenticeships more accessible to small businesses and one of its recommendations was to develop exactly the tool you’re talking about so employers can go online and search for a high-quality provider that meets the needs of their business.

“We’re not far off launching that product now.”

The gathering at JGA’s Eastcote base included words from Nick Hurd MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Charities, Social Enterprise and Volunteering at the Cabinet Office, as well as workshops offering guests the chance to discuss issues from Ofsted inspections to information, advice and guidance.

Mr Hurd, Conservative, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, said: “As a country we haven’t taken apprenticeships seriously enough, but I think that is changing. The essential thing to get right is that they work for the employer.”

And Mr Grimes told an audience of around 100 that the Coalition had “huge ambitions” for apprenticeships.

“In 2013/14 we’re aiming to go beyond the 500,000 all-age apprenticeship starts we delivered last year, to 520,000,” he said.

“It’s very true to say apprenticeships are at the centre of the Coalition’s economic growth strategy.

“Over the next 10 years we want to support 3.8m apprenticeships through their programme and that will bring a return to the British economy of £3.4bn. Just how powerful is that?”

Last year 500,000 starts were delivered with 138,000 employers — across more than 280 sectors — recruiting apprentices and many for the first time, he said.

But there had been a downturn of 1,000 apprenticeship places this year because NAS had stripped out 1,000 “poor quality” placements. He urged delegates to report any concerns they had over this issue.

“We will not tolerate it,” he said.

“Young people deserve better than that — we want to hear from you because we will investigate every single case we hear of where poor quality might be happening.”

He also warned that the raising of the participation age to 17 in schools would make it harder for employers to recruit 16 to 18-year-olds.

“It’s incredibly important that we get through to parents, young people and teachers that apprenticeships is part of the requirement of raising the participation age. It’s not about retaining people in school,” he said.

“If an apprenticeship is good for a young person, they should be given the information and be able to access that pathway, regardless of being 16 to 18.”

JGA marketing apprentice Laurence George, 19, also spoke at the event, telling the forum about his route into a career.

“My story starts almost a year-and-a-half ago. I was half-way through sixth-form and realised I didn’t want to carry on in the classroom,” he said.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do and I realised university was not going to be an option for me.”

He said Job Centre Plus put him in touch with JGA who “sat him down” and found out his interests. They offered him a marketing apprenticeship which he said developed into an advanced apprenticeship that’s seen him organise events and manage projects.

“I feel really valued here and I definitely believe I made the right decision leaving the classroom and becoming an apprentice,” said Mr George.

“This view is shared by my family and friends who have really seen me grow as a person and become confident as a young man.”

Colleges’ pay offer withdrawn

The Association of Colleges has withdrawn its offer of support for a pay increase after talks with unions failed to reach a conclusion.

The association did have the recommendation of a 0.5 per cent increase on the table when it met officials from the University and College Union (UCU), which is involved in negotiations with the Association of Managers in Education, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, GMB, Unison and Unite.

The offer also included a £150 increase for those earning less than £15,000. The association negotiates on behalf of its members and makes recommendations on pay which member colleges consider but, as autonomous institutions, are not legally bound to follow.

The priority for our members is to continue to serve the needs of students and their local communities and, to achieve this, it is imperative that jobs are preserved

 

But talks ended in stalemate on Thursday, May 16, resulting in the association withdrawing its offer, which had been unanimously rejected by unions who wanted a 5 per cent rise.

It has refused to return to the table until the unions consider local discussions on conditions and pay.

The association’s director of employment policy and services, Emma Mason, said: “We removed the 0.5 per cent / £150 recommendation from the table in its entirety following the unions’ disappointing response to our proposals on the need for positive engagement in local discussions regarding the need for colleges to be responsive and proactive in the management of an ever-changing environment.

“The negotiations can proceed in June only if there is a willingness from the unions to engage meaningfully in these discussions.

“The 5 per cent pay claim from the unions would come with an approximate price tag of £200m which is unrealistic as the UK economy teeters on the brink of a triple dip recession.

“This, in addition to year-on-year cuts to government funding for colleges, is unaffordable for our members.

“The priority for our members is to continue to serve the needs of students and their local communities and, to achieve this, it is imperative that jobs are preserved.

“The employers have made it clear that any national recommendation on pay must recognise the very tight financial constraints within which our members are operating and support college strategies for organisational development and sustainability for the future.”

A statement from the UCU said local discussions would “give the employers more power to try and impose worse pay and conditions and move towards performance-related pay”.

Barry Lovejoy, UCU head of FE, said: “The employer’s action is unprecedented and places the whole national bargaining framework for colleges in jeopardy.

“The association now seems to want to throw pay as well as conditions back to local employers. By withdrawing this offer, they are risking a dispute that could be widespread and cause long-term disruption to colleges.

“For the sake of the sector, rather than taking their ball home, we urge employers to engage meaningfully in negotiation.”

Unison’s head of colleges, Christine Lewis, said: “It is sad that college employers are prepared to see the living standards of their staff fall even further and the Living Wage abandoned, over a statement that asks national negotiators to endorse local detriment for their members.

“We can only hope that colleges urge their negotiators back to the table.”

 

FE Guild announces new chief executive

Sir Geoff Hall (pictured) has been named interim chief executive of the FE Guild.

The former principal and chief executive of New College Nottingham and chair of the Information Authority, who was knighted for services to FE in the New Year Honours 2012, began his lecturing career in 1974.

Other previous roles include national director of the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC)/Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and director of education at Bexley London Borough.

Sir Geoff established the regional network for the FEFC and was involved in the formation of the LSC.

He will work with the guild steering group to develop a draft delivery plan for the new board, using a series of engagement events across the country next month to hear the views of sector leaders and practitioners.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed interim chief executive of the new guild.

“I have a strong belief that professional learning across the sector is key to our future success, and am keen to harness the talents of the sector itself.

“My priorities in these important early months for the new guild are to maintain the momentum generated by the steering group and project team, keep the sector fully involved in shaping the guild and ensure we build on successful programmes developed by Learning and Skills Improvement Service.”

David Hughes, chief executive of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and independent chair of the steering group appointed to develop the new organisation, said: “This announcement signals an important milestone for the guild.

“I am personally very pleased to have Sir Geoff on board because I know that he will bring enormous experience and understanding of the issues we want to address.

“He will be a great asset as we move forward to deliver to the ambitions we all share for professional staff and organisations delivering great learning, and I look forward to working with him.”

Sir Geoff will take up the position with immediate effect and is expected to hold the role until a permanent chief executive is appointed.

Lynne Sedgmore, executive director of the 157 Group, said: “We welcome the appointment of Sir Geoff, a founder member of the 157 Group, in this critical role.

“We are fully supportive of the next phase of the guild under his experienced and able leadership and look forward to working with him to make the guild highly successful.”

Peter Roberts, chief executive of Leeds City College and chair of the 157 Group, said: “As a former college principal and leader of the FEFC, Sir Geoff has extensive experience across our sector, ideal for his new role as chief executive of the sector-led and owned guild.

“We expect to see the guild take huge steps forward under his leadership.”