Review into short apprenticeship to conclude by April

Reviews into short duration apprenticeships are due to be finalised by April, the Skills Minister John Hayes has revealed.

A total of 87 providers have so far been reviewed by the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) for running programmes which last six months or less.

However, while 29 have been brought to a “satisfactory conclusion”, the review has so far identified 10 primary contractors and three subcontractors where the Agency and NAS have significant and unresolved concerns.

At least one case has been referred to the Agency’s Special Investigations Unit.

The Agency will significantly tighten the contract and funding guidance from August 2012 to eliminate poor practice.”

The news comes as Mr Hayes today updated parliament on progress to drive up quality, as well as introducing new measures to come into place in the coming months.

Mr Hayes, in a written parliamentary statement, said: “An apprenticeship must involve significant new learning and time spent achieving competence and confidence in the job, which is why I am taking  steps to ensure all apprenticeships are of a sufficient length to allow this learning to be embedded.

“Following my announcement in December, the  National Apprenticeship Service will shortly publish the detail of a new 12 month duration requirement for all 16-18 year olds.

“This will come into effect for all starts from August 2012, although we expect many providers to change their delivery models before then.”

A roundup of the apprenticeship review:

  • 87 training organisations providers, sub-contractors and directly funded employers delivering Apprenticeships of short duration (six months or less) warranted review by the Agency and NAS.
  • 29 cases have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. These will  continue to be monitored to ensure that issues do not occur and in preparation for the new requirements on duration from August 2012.
  • Where cases have been concluded, providers have changed their delivery models to be fully compliant or ended the delivery of frameworks that don’t meet the requirements.
  • Most providers have revised their programmes to meet the challenge in quality standards that are required.
  • So far, the review has identified 10 primary contractors and 3 subcontractors where the Agency and NAS have significant and unresolved concerns. NAS and the Agency will work with closely with these providers to conclude a full investigation of the specifics of the cases and identify suitable resolutions, including improving, adapting or, if necessary, withdrawing provision.
  • Following major reviews, in the case of 3 sub-contractors, prime contractors have decided to end their contractual relationship.
  • At least one case has been referred to the Agency’s Special Investigations Unit.
  • It is has been made clear to providers that contracts which meet funding requirements technically but fail to meet the more comprehensive quality standards we expect of Apprenticeships are not acceptable. The Agency will significantly tighten the contract and funding guidance from August 2012 to eliminate poor practice.
  • The reviews of the majority of the cases that remain will be finalised by April 2012.

Frank McLoughlin to head Commission on adult vocational learning

Frank McLoughlin CBE, the principal of City and Islington College, will chair an independent Commission on adult education and vocational pedagogy.

The Commission will have the aim of improving adult vocational education; setting out recommendations to ensure adult learners can receive the highest possible standards of teaching and training, and the best learning experience.

It will bring together industry, teacher training colleges, professional associations and leaders and practitioners from the further education sector.

Mr McLoughlin has been Principal of City and Islington College since July 2002. He brings over thirty years of experience to the Commission, having joined the further education sector as a part-time lecturer in 1980.

His appointed was revealed by skills minister John Hayes, who said: “It is great news that Frank McLoughlin has agreed to chair this Commission.

“His wealth of experience in delivering further education and skills in a challenging inner-city environment gives him the right credentials to lead work which will shape the future of teaching and learning for adults in England.”

Mr McLoughlin said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Minister has asked me to Chair this extremely important Commission.

“It presents a once in a generation opportunity to raise the status of adult vocational teaching and learning and promote its nature and heritage in its own terms, sitting firmly alongside the academic model.”

Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, a body for which Mr McLoughlin is a former chair, said: “This is a timely and crucial commission to develop an enhanced pedagogy for adult vocational education.

“Effective teaching and learning is a vital element in enabling the FE and skills sector to flourish and 157 Group is keen to contribute to the commission’s work in any way it can.”

The Institute for Learning (IfL) has welcomed Mr McLoughlin’s appointment.

IfL’s chief executive, Toni Fazaeli said: “IfL has long been calling for greater prestige for the vocational, and for an independent inquiry into world-class teaching and training in further education and skills.

“IfL’s priority is to engage and draw on evidence from our members, the expert vocational teachers and trainers who can and do make the difference for vocational learners, and their success.

“Our preparatory work, which includes an action research project involving nearly 150 teaching and training professionals across the country, is already well under way.

“It is crucial that young people and adults of all ages should have access to the best possible teaching and learning, to ensure that they have the skills they need for fulfilling working lives and for well-being.”

The final findings and recommendations of the Commission are due to be published in Spring 2013.

New ‘enquiry panel’ to review poor apprenticeship providers

A new ‘enquiry panel’ has been set up to manage poor quality apprenticeship providers.

The panel will report directly to Skills Minister John Hayes, who revealed the news as part of plans to increase the government’s efforts to safeguard and improve the quality and standards of apprenticeships.

The membership of the panel is yet to be announced.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Hayes also today updated parliament on progress to drive up quality, as well as introducing new measures to come into place in the coming months.

They include reviewing frameworks deemed “a cause for concern” and new measures to ensure all adult apprenticeships are of a “sufficient length” to deliver the training that employers need.

He said: “The majority of apprenticeships are the gold standard in vocational training. They boost individuals’ life chances and build the skills that drive growth.

“We must be relentless in our drive to ensure all apprenticeships are as good as the best, to identify and root out any instances of poor quality provision, and to raise the bar on standards.

“I am determined to build on this momentum and go further so that as more people than ever have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship, every one of them will receive the high quality training they deserve.”

Latest developments:

  • From August 2012, all apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds will be for a minimum of 12 months
  • NAS and the Skills Funding Agency’s comprehensive review of all short duration programmes has already resulted in significant improvements to many apprenticeships and the withdrawal of inadequate sub-contracted provision
  • New safeguards are being put in place to strengthen monitoring, reporting and subcontracting arrangements, including making public a list of all sub contracted provision over £100,000
  • New contracts will ensure that training providers not only act according to regulations, but also within the spirit of the apprenticeship programme
  • A new ‘enquiry panel’ has been established, reporting directly to the Minister, to manage poor quality providers as soon as they are reported.

Next steps over the coming months:

  • New measures will ensure all adult apprenticeships are of sufficient length to deliver the training employers need
  • NAS will undertake a review into apprenticeship frameworks that have been deemed a cause for concern
  • New guidance on the implementation of quality standards will be published
  • The government will take forward measures to ensure all apprentices are given the opportunity to get Level 2 English and Maths.

Simon Waugh, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said “sound progress” is being made to ensure that apprenticeships represent “outstanding training and employment” opportunities.

He said: “Historically, growth in apprenticeships has been excellent but hasn’t always been matched by quality.

“The actions we are taking now are to clearly state expected standards, strengthen the processes of monitoring and assuring these standards and address any areas that fall short.

“Raising quality is not a quick fix but about defining a new era that firmly places apprenticeships as first rate vocational programmes offering higher level skills and qualifications in even more industries and sectors, supporting people into employment, boosting the skills of those already in work and bringing benefits to employers that invest in skills.”

Christine Gaskell MBE, member of the board for personnel at Bentley Motors, said although apprenticeships are a long-term investment, they deliver higher skills, loyalty and innovative ideas.

She said: “Good quality apprenticeship schemes are the bedrock on which our business future is built.

“If companies such as Bentley are to remain internationally competitive, we have to attract the best people and give them a training programme that allows them to flourish.”

For more, see next week’s FE Week.

FE colleges to be reclassified by Office for National Statistics

General further education (FE) colleges are to be reclassified as no longer being a part of central government.

The decision by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) means FE colleges will have more freedoms as independent bodies and be affected by significantly less red tape.

Skills Minister John Hayes, announcing the decision today, said: “I am delighted at this very positive news which we have been working hard to achieve over the last year.

“The Government is committed to cutting red tape so that further education colleges have the freedom they need to make their own judgements on how to manage their affairs for the benefit of learners, employers and wider communities.”

The decision follows a review by the ONS of the changes made in the Education Act 2011 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Education (DfE), which include removing a number of restrictions and controls both for further education and sixth form colleges.

The ONS told the treasury last week that the changes, to be implemented from April 2012, are sufficient enough to warrant a reclassification.

Martin Doel, chief Executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: “We are extremely pleased that the Government has succeeded in getting this decision reversed and has delivered on its promise to afford further education colleges greater autonomy.

“Allowing colleges to maintain their own affairs is not only beneficial to the institutions themselves, it also brings more clarity to the way public money is spent.”

The previous classification by the ONS in October 2010 meant FE colleges were included in government accounting boundaries.

Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said: “This decision aligns with the freedoms and flexibilities given by John Hayes and his department and enables colleges to deliver Governmental priorities and initiatives.

“Clearly the voice of colleges and our business communities have been listened to, and responded to, on this critical matter to good effect.”

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) has welcomed the change and says it will help colleges deliver “more innovative and diverse adult learning”.

Mark Ravenhall, NIACE Director of Policy and Impact, said: “NIACE believes adult learners will benefit from this change, alongside the greater freedoms being introduced for colleges and other providers.

“We welcome the announcement and the challenge made to the sector to deliver more innovative and diverse adult learning that is truly accountable to local communities.

“The decision also proves that just because colleges deliver good public services they don’t have to be part of the public sector.”

ncn student illustrates national success

Two years ago Paty Bugarini couldn’t draw. Now she’s won a prestigious national illustration contest which will put her work in front of major agencies and publishers across the world, after completing ncn’s Foundation Degree in Design.

Her work from the course is one of a select few to be included in ‘Images 36’ New Talent section, published by the Association of Illustrators and used as a directory by art directors all over the world.

Her winning piece of work was The Boy and The Cloud, illustrations for a book she wrote as a final piece of coursework.

It won ncn’s Best in Show award, and she has worked as an intern at a design agency.

MPs slam ‘shocking’ special needs system figures

A third of all 18-year-olds with special educational needs are not in any form of education, work or training, a government committee has revealed.

The Commons Public Accounts Committee, in a report which was issued today, described the figure as “shocking” and said that too many young people are “falling through the gaps” once they leave school.

They also said the system is complex and parents need to know more about what support their child is entitled to.

However, the government say they are determined to make the system “simpler, fairer and more transparent”.

Margaret Hodge MP: “It is shocking that almost a third of young people with a statement of special educational needs at the age of 16 are not in any form of education, employment or training two years later.”

The committee’s report into special education for young people aged 16 to 25 said the government spent £640 million on special education in 2009-10 for people in the age group.

Margaret Hodge MP, the chair of the Committee, said: “It is shocking that almost a third of young people with a statement of special educational needs at the age of 16 are not in any form of education, employment or training two years later.

“The government spent £640 million on special education for 16-to 25-year-olds in 2009-10, yet too many of these young people are falling through the gaps after they leave compulsory education, damaging their life chances and leaving a legacy of costs to the taxpayer.

She added: “The system is extremely complex and difficult to navigate, with an array of different providers including schools, FE colleges and specialist providers.

“Too many parents and young people are not given the information they need to make decisions about what is right for them, with many losing hope.

“Parents need to know what support their child is entitled to, how it can be accessed, and how well different options would meet their child’s needs.

“But three quarters of local authorities do not give parents information at all about the respective performance of schools, FE colleges and specialist providers.”

Children’s minister Sarah Teather said disabled young people or those with special educational needs “all too often” fall through the gaps in services when they reach 16.

She added: “That’s why we have proposed the biggest programme of reform in 30 years.

“This includes a new, single education, health and care plan from birth to 25 focussed on improving the outcomes for those with the most severe needs.

“This will mean local services all working together to provide targeted support, with young people and their families getting much more information and advice on preparing for further education and work.”

Children’s minister Sarah Teather: “We are determined to make the system simpler, fairer and more transparent. We will shortly be updating on progress on delivering these reforms.”

She also said the Youth Contract will invest roughly an extra £1 billion in the next three years to support 16-24 year olds into education, training and work.

The minister added: It’s encouraging to see the PAC’s support for our proposals for funding changes.

“We are determined to make the system simpler, fairer and more transparent. We will shortly be updating on progress on delivering these reforms.”

The report was based on evidence from the Department for Education, the Young People’s Learning Agency, the Principal of Abingdon and Witney College, and representatives of two organisations which provide support and information to young people and professionals about special education, Disability Alliance and nasen.

The Sheffield College launches FM Sports Academy for Parisian football talent

The Sheffield College has launched an academy for up and coming foreign talent seeking to combine academic qualifications with football training.

The FM Sports Academy at Hillsborough College, part of The Sheffield College, has been setup with Sports Etudes in Paris to offer 20 places for 16 to 20 year-olds.

The foreign students can choose to study BTEC diplomas, A-levels, foundation degrees and English courses, while receiving daily coaching and competitive games versus semi-professional clubs. Phil Wymer, a foundation programme leader at Hillsborough College and director of the academy, said: “These students are very talented and want to sharpen their style and tactics, and develop potential opportunities with local football clubs.

“There’s also the appeal of Sheffield being the city of sport and a good tradition at Hillsborough College of delivering sports courses and training.”

The college has links with Dinnington Town FC and will be able to offer students the chance to compete in trials at professional clubs such as Manchester City Football Club.

Have A Go success at Dearne Valley College

Hands on taster sessions at Dearne Valley College (DVC) have proved a huge success. The Wath-based college hosted a week of Have A Go sessions and workshops to give local young people a chance to build skills for their future.

Almost 300 youngsters took part, which saw participants having a go at various activities whilst meeting tutors, support staff and speaking to current full-time students.

Mark Hepworth, DVC assistant admissions manager said: “Deciding what to do next and indeed where to continue further study can be a difficult decision.

“Our Have a Go taster sessions allowed prospective students to learn new skills but also provided an insight into what college life would be like.”

Derby College host Olympic challenge

Nearly 100 pupils from city schools joined an Olympic challenge at Derby College to introduce them to a wide range of vocational careers, courses and apprenticeships.

The pupils from Leesbrook, Merrill, Sinfin and da Vinci secondary schools took part in a wide range of challenges, including bathing a doll, grooming a dog and creating nail art designs.

They also made non-alcoholic cocktails culminating in a final activity involving dressing in full construction site safety equipment and then lining up the coloured Olympic rings painted on hard hats in the right order – against the clock.