Weston College law students get legal advice

Legal experts of the future experienced the corridors of power on a visit to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court.

Weston College’s A-level law students headed to London, firstly to listen to Speaker John Bercow’s traditional opening ceremony to Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House of Commons.
They heard the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill with peers Lord Robert Winston and former Court of Appeal Judge, Lord Mackay.

Weston College law lecturer Alexandra Sermon said: “It was fascinating. Students enjoyed the Parliament Education services interactive ‘making laws’ workshop to consolidate their understanding of the legislation then met Weston MP John Penrose before a tour of the Supreme Court.”

Student Kirsty Bancroft said: “Some of us are applying to university to study law so the day provided an insight into the profession and the relationship between Parliament and the highest court in the land.”

Government announce £250m vocational training fund

The government has announced £250 million to try and entice businesses into investing in skills and apprenticeships.

David Cameron hopes the money will boost vocational training and put young people back into work.

The £250 million will be funded directly to employers over roughly two years, and completely bypass colleges and traditional training providers.

The Prime Minister said: “Times are tough, especially for young people who are trying to get their foot in the door and launch their career.

“I am determined to do all we can to give people the very best skills, training and opportunities to succeed, and why despite tough spending decisions we are investing in record numbers of apprenticeships.

Mr Cameron added: “We are seeing an incredible take up of these apprenticeship places.

“I want that to continue, which is why we are taking action to make it easier to take on apprentices, and now we are giving employers the power to take control of the training so that it best meets the skills they need.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said the government wasn’t trying to damage the relationships colleges have with employerss.

“The introduction of this pilot might sound threatening to some providers, and perhaps to some of you, it actually represents an opportunity for the best to expand,” Mr Cable said during the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference.

“We therefore intend, as the Prime Minister has announced today, to try out a new and radical approach to promoting business engagement and investment in skills and apprenticeships – one where public money is channelled through employers.”

Colleges look for community spirit at ‘dynamic’ conference

The Association of Colleges’ Annual Conference is a chance for leading think tanks to launch their latest reports in front of a huge education audience.
The findings of the Independent Commission of Colleges in their Communities was led by Baroness Sharp of Guildford, the Chair of the Inquiry, when she was interviewed on centre stage during the first morning of the conference.

Her message couldn’t have been clearer; colleges need to engage with their learners and local communities if they are to prosper in the economic downturn, and continue to call for the simplification of what is currently an ‘unduly’ and ‘prescriptive’ funding regime.

The report, titled ‘A dynamic nucleus: Colleges at the heart of local communities’, was launched on the first day of the AoC Annual Conference, and says the Government needs to cut additional ‘red-tape’ if colleges are to respond to the needs of employers and their local area.

Baroness Sharp of Guildford said: “If government could give greater flexibility to the over-rigorous funding regime and relax other ‘red-tape’, then colleges could and would deliver more in terms of community leadership. But they cannot do this alone.

“It requires more co-investment by individuals and employers; better information for the public and greater local accountability. “We have received a great deal of support for this shared agenda of reform, with colleges, their support bodies, and local and central government stepping up to the plate.”

Change is always a challenge and for some people too hard to face”

Recommendations in the report include establishing a community curriculum within colleges that can respond to local needs, the creation of an ‘innovation’ code’ that would allow greater funding flexibility, and a review of the Qualifications and Credit framework.

The Commission, which has been supported by NIACE, the AoC and the 157 Group, is also calling for a new generation of entrepreneurial leaders who can work closely with employers in a new community curriculum.

The report adds that a dedicated leadership centre should be constructed, focusing solely on improving the leadership and management within further education colleges. Joy Mercer, AoC Director of Education Policy, said: “The recommendations will, if implemented, recognise the pivotal role that Colleges play at the centre of their communities.

“AoC believes that the funding freedoms advocated in the report will allow Colleges to really respond to need; the accountability outwards to employers, community groups and individuals and the focus on leaders and managers with the right skills to work towards the social and economic well-being of their communities are vital.”

By and large both John Hayes on the one hand and Vince Cable on the other are very much behind this vision of colleges actually being the players who can help to promote community cohesion”

The inquiry used a range of data to sources to draw up their findings, including two calls for evidence, a number of visits to further education colleges and regular discussions with staff and learners.

Baroness Sharp said the report had received very positive feedback so far, and she was confident the sector would take their recommendations on board. “They’re optimistic time frames, but if you don’t try, you don’t get. We’ve been surprised actually by the open door we seem to be pushing at in relation to the government,” Baroness Sharp said.

“By and large both John Hayes on the one hand and Vince Cable on the other are very much behind this vision of colleges actually being the players who can help to promote community cohesion.”
It’s unclear whether this report will have aany direct implications both on government policy and the strategy of colleges in the further education sector.

Community cohesion is a term frequently thrown around at the AoC Conference, but here it has been packaged into a report with context and practical, realistic recommendations.
John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, seems to have taken notice anyway – so perhaps it’s only a matter of time before the Commission’s findings become the ‘nucleus’ of current debate.

AoC president Fiona McMillan, during her opening address to the conference, used the platform to discuss community. She said: “There is much that is done which is truly impressive in terms of colleges’ engagement with their communities. But the expectations and the potential outcomes could be so much greater.

“On our part as colleges we need to be responsive and flexible and open to new opportunities. From the Business community we need a willingness to engage, to look for partnerships with colleges and the opportunity together to solve skills needs. I would say to any employer, ‘give us the opportunity to show what we can do, and we will surprise you by our responsiveness and our capabilities’.”

FE Week charity auction raises £10k for the Helena Kennedy Foundation

Visitors to the Annual Association of Colleges (AoC) Conference spent their first night raising money for charity by bidding in a special celebrity auction.

The event, organised by FE Week and sponsored by Tribal and NCFE, raised exactly £10,000 for the Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF), by auctioning luxury items such as tickets to a Premiership football game, a two night tree house experience and premium Apple gadget collection.

Shane Mann, one of the event organisers, and Nick Linford, Managing Editor of FE Week, opened the doors at Birmingham Town Hall and opened the proceedings in high spirits.
Guests arrived in stunning outfits including tuxedos, cocktail dresses and bow ties.

After a beautiful drinks reception visitors were led into the main dinner hall, where they were greeted by an acoustic set performed by FE Week Graphic Designer Daniel Duke.

Congratulations to everybody who is in the room here to support the HKF ”

Daniel performed a series of famous covers throughout the night including ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz, ‘Bare Necessities’ from The Jungle Book and ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey.
The traditional room décor was lit up by sparking tables, artistic flower arrangements and an elaborate stage featuring a large slideshow projection.

Dr Ann Limb OBE, Chair of HKF, gave a formal introduction and described how the Foundation was launched at the AoC Conference in 1998: “We did so of course because we desperately wanted to ensure that further education got its place in the limelight.

“It’s not been a particularly easy journey for this foundation. It’s had its ups and downs. But I had a dream, and I had a friend in Helena, who wanted to support the idea. And of course, I had massive support from many of you and your predecessors in this room as FE college leaders.”

Ann Limb then announced the winner of the very first HKF Ambassadors Award, Carole Stott. “We’ve been supported by many people, but principally by a group of trustees who have given their time freely, and endlessly to act as ambassadors for the foundation,” Ann Limb said.

“We wanted to make a special award tonight, the first ever HKF Ambassadors Award, to somebody who I count as a friend. You will know her as someone who has championed a very creative way of looking at the awarding of credit to students throughout their learning journey. She’s done so much for further education that she ought to be honoured in all sorts of ways.”

The charity auction had various forms of entertainment throughout the evening. This included a professional magician, capable of sealing a written, five letter word within an envelope without anyone’s knowledge, as well as a number of advanced card tricks.

As well as doing what you’re [FE] supposed to do, in terms of helping young people, you also make up for what other people don’t do.”

A portrait artist was also doing the rounds, creating quick caricatures that were both humorous and realistic. Attendees were able to take their picture home once they gave a small donation to the Foundation.

Guests also had the chance to have their photograph taken with a Polaroid camera.

Barry Brookes, Director for Education and Skills Strategy at Tribal Group, said: “Congratulations to everybody who is in the room here to support the HKF, rather than going to the groovy KPMG dinner somewhere over the way.”

“From a personal point of view but also from a travelled point of view, the work that Ann, Helena and I guess you guys do for young people is absolutely critical. This is a challenging time – I don’t need to tell you about that. But what I don’t think is said enough, and it’s certainly not said enough in Whitehall or to ministers, is that actually as well as doing what you’re supposed to do, in terms of helping young people, you also make up for what other people don’t do when they’re supposed to be helping young people.

“The sector really deserves a fantastic recognition of that. The work that Helena does in terms of enabling people to have those opportunities which they may not necessarily get, and the development work you do as a sector in terms of switching people on not just to learning, but becoming who they really should be.”

Guests were served a three course meal which included a salmon and prawn starter, beef and vegetables for the main course and hot sticky chocolate pudding for dessert. This then made way for the highlight of the evening – the auction itself. Simon Fanshawe, world respected comedian, broadcaster and education consultant, managed the bidding with comic wit and enticed all of the guests into raising their paddles and giving some dosh to a worthwhile course.

Bidders were thrilled to walk away with digital cameras, gift vouchers and holidays at the charity auction. And of course, raising money for a great cause didn’t hurt either!
The evening was rounded off by two duet performances; freelance journalist Janet Murray and Daniel Duke performing ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues, as well as Nick Linford and Daniel Duke performing ‘I wish I knew how it would feel to be free’ by Nina Simone.

FE Week was thrilled to be able to hold an event which not only brought all the AoC Conference visitors in Birmingham together, but also raised a fantastic amount of money for charity.
The team at FE Week would like to thank everyone that attended the auction and helped raise £10,000 for the Helena Kennedy Foundation.

‘Worry’ over 12 per cent fall in FE adults

Concerns have been raised over the decline in total adult FE participation at a time when the numbers of adult apprenticeships are surging.

Government data for 2010/11 shows the number of learners aged 19 and over in government funded FE and skills provision is 3,129,200; an 11.6 per cent drop from 3,540,500 the previous year.

Total participation in Adult Safeguarded Learning (ASL) is also down 10 per cent from 762,400 to 685,800.

In 2009/10, 99 per cent of participants in ASL were aged 19 or over, so NIACE say that this decrease represents “a significant drop” in the number of adult learners.

At the same time, and what also has been well documented, is the dramatic increase in 19+ apprenticeship starts, from 162,900 in 2009/10 to 314,400 in 2010/11; a jump of some 93 per cent.

Although not surprised, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is concerned.

David Hughes, chief executive of NIACE, said it can be difficult to say why there has been a drop, before adding: “There are a number of big concerns with participation numbers dropping.

“We are worrying about who is learning and, by definition, who also isn’t learning. Are some people missing?

“Are people learning the right things and getting the right support to benefit them in their lives? That’s really critical. Also, is what’s being offered what people want? Will the quality suffer?”

However, Mr Hughes added: “This hasn’t really surprised us. It’s very clear this year that participation had slowed. Maybe we’re seeing a reverse of gains we’ve had in previous years.”

A drop in ASL participation is expected, say NIACE, in tough economic times, as it is the part of the system most “heavily reliant on fee income” and numbers will decrease as “disposable income is squeezed”.

He added: “The danger is we lose them in the recession, which will be a shame and won’t put us in the right position when the economy picks up again. Skills,  learning and development have to be at the heart of that.”

As budgets are squeezed, NIACE say it is “crucial to ensure any drive to increase numbers does not lead to a compromise on quality”.

They also say the expansion in apprenticeships has raised questions around whether shorter frameworks can deliver the rigorous learning experience the apprenticeship brand is associated.

Mr Hughes said: “There’s less money and more is being directed at things that cost more. Apprenticeships cost more than NVQs, but that’s not a bad thing because the return is higher.

“But the balance is something that concerns us.”

He added: “Apprenticeship investment is based on average prices. So if it’s right for some, then clearly it’s wrong for others.

“Also, if the length of stay is shorter then you have to think if the right amount of money is being paid.

“A 12-week course doesn’t need as much as a longer course.”

NIACE also say a relevant curriculum offer is important, but information, advice and guidance is also key to ensuring learners are getting the right help to access and succeed in learning.

Mr Hughes said: “The new National Careers Service will be a vital information resource for those seeking to enter or advance in learning and it must be accessible and impartial if we are to see participation levels meaningfully increased.”

Apprenticeships need to be explained more clearly to learners, says MP

Apprenticeships and vocational training need to be explained more clearly to learners, according to Simon Hughes MP.

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats said the number of vocational qualifications needed to be simplified into a “menu” of options that is clearer for both parents and young people.

Mr Hughes told FE Week at the ICG Conference: “What is the best set of offers to make in terms of apprenticeship options?

“Is it going to be a conventional three or four year apprenticeship, where you’re splitting your time between the work and getting back to day release colleges, or is it going to be a much more intensive one year apprenticeship for a certain set of skills?

“We need a real menu which describes the options.”

Mr Hughes also said that learners needed to understand the qualifications associated with each apprenticeship, and then be able to make an educated decision about whether or not it’s worthwhile.

“I feel that youngsters are often misled into thinking this is going to be  good for me,
this is going to be valid, and sometimes they’re just Mickey Mouse non qualifications,” Mr Hughes said.

“We need to make sure we just try and give honest assessments, because otherwise we get schools who are going to be asked to present their destination statistics – and they will not be nearly as keen if what they send people onto are things that in UCAS points terms, don’t count for anything.”

FE Week discovered in September that some learners are being forced to turn down apprenticeships, or have their families risk losing vital benefits payments.

Some families could lose their child benefit and child tax credits if a young person starts an apprenticeship on £2.60 an hour,  the national apprentice minimum wage.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Hughes said: “There needs to be a menu of prices for parents too, so that they know the implications for them, and the implications of the system.

“It needs to be done in a way that’s centrally available, and I think it should be done independently of government.”

Mr Hughes also said he thought colleges and schools will become better at providing information about vocational courses in the future.

“There is a potential opportunity that because people are fearful of the whole university fees ‘hoo-ha’, there’s actually going to be more effort about communicating into schools,” Mr Hughes said.

“I think there will be a much more effective communication into schools and colleges. It’s in the government’s interest that it should be, so they need to coordinate them and other people getting their act together to give the information very simply, very directly, and starting early.”

 

‘Trust’ is key for new college freedoms

As the saying goes, all good relationships are built on trust – and it seems that motto can be extended to the world of further education (FE).

The link to the old adage was made during the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2011 on Tuesday, when more powers due to be handed to colleges were discussed.

Lord Hill of Oareford, parliamentary secretary of state for schools at the Department for Education, said: “We want a system based more on trust, with institutions having more autonomy to exercise their own professional judgements.”

He then outlined how education reform, set out in the Education Bill, which completed its journey through Parliament on Monday, will apply post-16.

Lord Hill said: “We are keen that ministers and officials take a step back as much as possible and trust the profession more.

“So, we are legislating to give colleges more freedom. More freedom to borrow and invest for example.

“Thanks to our Education Bill you won’t have to go cap in hand to the chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency or the LA or the secretary of state to borrow even the smallest amount of money.”

He also pointed to “scrapping power of a government body to appoint up to two members of the college Governing Body” and giving colleges the ability to amend their Instruments and Articles as steps to make them “freer”.

Lord Hill also discussed enrolment and the plans to directly take on students aged 14-16, as “colleges have expert teachers and facilities to offer high quality vocational options” with a core curriculum.

However, the finer details of this, Lord Hill said, need to be discussed with the AoC and their sibling, the Sixth Form Colleges Forum.

The Lord went on, saying: “Giving institutions greater autonomy needs to be matched with greater accountability.

“The current accountability system does not yet apply equally across the different types of 16-19 education.

“We want a system driven by and rewards success in getting young people into skilled work and higher education, not driven by financial incentives.”

To do this, the DfE plans to put in measures to show student progress, reform performance tables to reflect achievement, and exempt outstanding colleges and providers from Ofsted inspections.

Finally, Lord Hill discussed the buzz word of the moment; simplification.

He described the current funding system as “complicated”and talked of the need to make it “clearer, more transparent and easier to understand by all” which is why, Lord Hill says, they launched the 16-19 funding formula review in October.

The consultation ends on January 4, 2012. He said: “It is vital that we get this right so I would urge you to contribute to the consultation.”

NCG and Northumberland College merger collapses

Plans for a merger between the  NCG (formerly Newcastle College Group) and Northumberland College have collapsed.

The Northumberland College Corporation met last night and agreed to “rescind” the decision it made on the July 13 to merge with NCG, which offered an investment of £25 million over the next four years.

However, Northumberland College Corporation’s said the merger proposal “had materially changed and a merger with NCG no longer represented the best solution” for students, staff, stakeholders and the community.

They also say they received a letter from John Hayes, the minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, on Tuesday and the “views he expressed also formed a major part of the decision” made by the Corporation.

Northumberland College Corporation’s board will now consider other alternative options to secure the future of the college.

Chris Todd, principal of Northumberland College said: “I firmly believe that the Corporation have the interests of  learners and the local community at heart.

“This decision will allow the college to move forward positively, creating a solution that will better meet the needs of students, staff, stakeholders and the local community.

“Students, staff and stakeholders did not want this merger to happen.

“The Corporation have listened to these concerns and have made the right choice in the interests of Northumberland.”

Dame Jackie Fisher, chief executive of NCG, said “We are disappointed Northumberland College has rejected our merger proposal.

“We remain committed to supporting learners in the North East and we are considering an alternative strategy to give learners in the County the opportunity to gain new skills in an up-to-date, clean, pleasant and safe environment.”

NCG’s investment plans included updating Northumberland College’s Ashington site and a new campus at Cramlington.

They also planned to replace the agricultural training facilities at Kirkley Hall and create modern job-focused teaching facilities on a real working farm.

Dame Fisher said: “NCG made a generous merger offer to Northumberland College. The Governors of Northumberland decided to reject our offer. We cannot comment on their reasons for doing so.”

However, Mr Todd added: “Northumberland College has a strong business plan going forward and we have demonstrated substantial improvement over the last twelve months.

“This upward trend will continue and I fully expect the college to emerge from this process fighting fit and ready for the challenges that the future will undoubtedly bring.

“Northumberland College is no longer in a desperate situation. The college is stronger than ever, both financially, but also in terms of the quality of its provision.

“Moving forward, the Corporation are keen to build on the firm platform that has been established, creating a progressive college rooted at the heart of the local
community.”

AELP backs goverment plans to slash red-tape and give small firms cash boost

Government plans to cut red-tape and encourage small firms to take on more apprentices has been backed by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP).

Graham Hoyle OBE, chief executive of the AELP, said: “We believe that today’s announcements represent a good response to the feedback that AELP members have been offering on what would persuade more businesses to sign up to the programme.”

The Government has said they will offer employers with 50 members of staff or less an incentive payment of up to £1,500 in order to take on a young apprentice aged 16 to 24.

Mr Hoyle added: “It is also important that we expand the capacity of preparatory training programmes to enable more young people who left school with few or no qualifications to embark on a full apprenticeship.”

AELP has also clarified their position on apprenticeships for older and existing employees.

The Association says they have sent a pre-Aututmn Statement submission to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Treasury, which points out that apprenticeships have never been “exclusively for the benefit of young people as a form of job creation.”

The comment follows the announcement that there is now more than a million young people not in employment.

The AELP submission says: “The apprenticeship brand must not be damagingly stretched by making it a programme for the non-employed or NEETs who are still too far away from meeting the often demanding selection criteria quite properly laid down by employers.”