The elite of the country’s apprentice employers, providers and sector leaders were honoured at the FE Week-AELP Annual Apprenticeship Conference Awards on Thursday.

Twenty-three winners across different apprenticeship routes were recognised, and there were additionally awards for SEND, diversity, special recognition, outstanding contribution, promoting apprenticeships and overall apprentice provider and employer awards.

Shane Mann, awards organiser and managing director of FE Week publisher Lsect, said: “The quality of the overwhelming number of applications from across the sector was, as always, very high.

“But tonight’s awards recognised and celebrated the very best work by apprentice employers and providers.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank our amazing judging panel, sponsors and partners. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Providers have been ‘beacons’ through ‘extraordinary year’

Acacia Training was named apprentice provider of the year, while the large apprentice employer of the year gong went to Merseyside Police, with Pendennis Shipyard Ltd being handed the small employer honour.

The employer, provider and individual awards for outstanding contribution to the development of apprenticeships went to Health Education England, Bridgwater & Taunton College, and Performance Through People Training chief executive Rob Colbourne, respectively.

Association of Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Jane Hickie, who co-hosted the event with Mann, said in this “extraordinary year,” she liked to think: “Our award winners have all been beacons of best practice throughout the pandemic.

“Means of training delivery have had to change, often with limited or no additional funding support, and yet we have a new generation of apprentices stepping into the skilled vacancies that employers are keen to fill.

“In my view, this year’s winners are truly exceptional.”

Special recognition awards were handed to apprentice advocate Anthony Impey and Coca-Cola European Partners HR business partner Sharon Blyfield.

Impey, a serial entrepreneur, has “ploughed and invested his transformative abilities into the centre of the apprenticeship and skills sector,” said Mann.

He has served as apprenticeship policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses and as chair of the government’s Apprenticeship Stakeholder Board.

That is in addition to implementing local apprenticeship strategies, including his time as chair of the GLA Apprenticeship Advisory Board. He also led the development of Investors in People’s apprenticeship quality mark.

Blyfield, an AELP board member, made “outstanding efforts” with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners during the pandemic “to minimise the negative impact on the prospects of young people, especially among under-represented groups,” Hickie said.

She pushed ahead with business outreach programmes and creating a virtual application masterclass video for the Sutton Trust’s summer work experience programme.

Blyfield also “spearheaded” a drive on equality, diversity and inclusion among AELP’s members.

Awards were judged by ex-ministers and sector leaders

The judges for the awards included Hickie, former skills minister Anne Milton, UCAS’ director of strategy John Cope, Health Education England’s national programme manager for apprenticeships Jane Hadfield, and City & Guilds’ director of policy Patrick Craven.

The event was run in partnership with VTCT, BCS the Chartered Institute for IT, One File, Skills and Education Group, City & Guilds, and ILM.

The virtual Annual Apprenticeship Conference was held in April, where the award nominations were announced by impressionist Rory Bremner.

A gala dinner where the awards would be presented had been planned for today, but this had to be cancelled due to Covid regulations.

Watch the ceremony here:

The full list of AAC Apprenticeship Awards winners:

• Special recognition awards: Anthony Impey MBE and Sharon Blyfield
• Agriculture, environmental and animal care apprenticeship provider of the year: Myerscough College
• Business and administration apprenticeship provider of the year: Abingdon & Witney College
• Care services apprenticeship provider of the year: Paragon Skills
• Catering and hospitality apprenticeship provider of the year: Bournemouth and Poole College
• Construction apprenticeship provider of the year: Kirklees College
• Digital apprenticeship provider of the year: Gower College Swansea
• Education and childcare apprenticeship provider of the year: Exeter College
• Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship provider of the year: Gower College Swansea
• Hair and beauty apprenticeship provider of the year: London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy
• Health and science apprenticeship provider of the year: Skills Training UK
• Legal, finance and accounting apprenticeship provider of the year: Workpays
• Sales, marketing, procurement apprenticeship provider of the year: Lifetime Training
• Transport and logistics apprenticeship provider of the year: Performance Through People Training
• Apprenticeship diversity award: Coach Core Foundation
• SEND apprenticeship champion award: Devon County Council
• Promoting apprenticeships campaign of the year: Weston College
• Outstanding contribution to the development of apprenticeships:
  • Employer: Health Education England
  • Provider: Bridgwater & Taunton College
  • Individual: Rob Colbourne, CEO, Performance Through People Training
• Apprentice employer of the year:
  • Large employer: Merseyside Police
  • Small employer: Pendennis Shipyard Ltd
• Apprenticeship provider of the year: Acacia Training

The window for colleges to opt into the second year of the 16 to 19 tuition fund has been delayed.

A message from the Education and Skills Funding Agency was issued this afternoon stating that the process for 2021/22 will not start until after colleges return in September.

The original plan was to allow colleges to opt-in from this month until September.

The delay was blamed on “complications with the digital development of the opt in process to provide a more user-friendly experience.

“We will provide details of the policy approach and how the opt in process will work in advance of the autumn term opening,” the message promised.

Comes after delays to AEB, bootcamp and traineeship tenders

A £96 million tuition fund was announced last July for 2020/21, after colleges were originally excluded from the government’s catch-up plans.

The money was earmarked to be spent on small tuition groups of around three to five students to study English, maths and other courses where learning has been disrupted.

Colleges told FE Week in November they had spent it on hiring extra study and pastoral staff, as well as beefing up mental health support for students.

The government revealed in June it had set aside £222 million to extend the programme for another year, with an expectation it would deliver 700,000 courses a year, with a special focus on English and maths.

The application process delay comes after the results of tendering for the national adult education budget were delayed twice from an original release date of last month.

The ESFA had to resort to telling providers yesterday it “hoped” to provide an update at the end of this week.

Results for the ESFA’s skills bootcamps and traineeships tender were also delayed earlier this year.

The education select committee has endorsed the appointment of Dr Jo Saxton as chief regulator of Ofqual.

Saxton, a former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson, was quizzed by the committee on Tuesday.

The MPs’ report states the five-year role has a salary of up to £135,000. Five people applied for the role, with three interviewed and two candidates “found appointable”.

The committee “agree” Saxton is “appointable for the post”. But they want “reassurance that qualification standards will be maintained and that employers, institutions and learners will continue to have confidence in them”.

They add: “We will hold regular accountability hearings to examine this issue. A strong leadership team must work with the chief regulator to take Ofqual forward.”

The committee were divided on her appointment down party lines – with six Conservative MPs backing her while three Labour MPs voted against.

Saxton will be replacing the interim chief regulator Simon Lebus in September.

An emergency services volunteer and a carer who juggled looking after her disabled sister with studying are two of this year’s BTEC Awards winners.

The eleventh annual awards were held today, virtually for the second year running, and recognised 19 winners across the swathe of BTEC subjects and centres.

Awarding body Pearson’s senior vice president for BTEC and apprenticeships Cindy Rampersaud said it had been “another extraordinary year for learners, tutors, teachers, colleges and schools.

“The hard work and commitment demonstrated by our award winners, all of whom have achieved great things during a time of unprecedented disruption, is extraordinary and I am proud we are able to celebrate their achievements.”

The ceremony was co-hosted by sports presenter Gemma Care, and presenter of the United View, YouTube influencer and BTEC ambassador Flex.

Young learner ‘shone through’

The winner of the young learner and business and enterprise learner awards is Lily Carcaterra from Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group, who has been juggling caring for her disabled sister with studying for a level 3 extended diploma in business.

Pearson says she “shone through as a person of great strength,” who advocates for her classmates and even found time for work experience.

“Powered by the determination to build a bright future through sheer hard work and academic achievement, she is independent, empathic, high-achieving, resilient and remarkable,” the awarding body said.

Another of the honourees today is Jamie Smith (name changed for confidentiality reasons) from East Surrey College.

He has won adult learner of the year after standing out to the judges with his dedication to become a public servant, exemplified through his work as an emergency service volunteer and his work on the student-led donation drive at a local food bank.

His teachers call him “outstandingly calm,” with a “compassionate disposition too”.

BTECs ‘are a game changer’

A number of winners were from BTEC centres around the world, including creative media learner of the year Tiago Bastos from Portugal and performing arts learner of the year Wilbert Kapinga from Tanzania.

Department for International Trade skills specialist Jonathan Ledger paid a “huge congratulations” to the winners, adding that: “For me, BTEC qualifications are a game changer. They change lives and they help people improve and contribute to business and society in a big way.”

In addition to the award winners, the ceremony also included the 2021 Showstopper Challenge, a chance for students to showcase their performing talents.

Performances this year came from Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Jackie Palmer Academy, Clevedon School, and D16 Performing Arts College.

Clevedon School won an audience vote on their performances.

There was also an honorary award for Pearson’s outgoing president for global online learning and the UK Rod Bristow for his support for BTECs.

The judges of the awards included Rampersaud and her Pearson colleagues Jane Baker, vice president, higher education qualifications; Derek Richardson, vice president and senior responsible officer for quality services and governance; Claire Riddle at vice president, marketing, BTEC and apprenticeships; as well as Shane Mann, managing director of FE Week publisher LSECT, and Kasim Choudhry, Thinkfest national director.

The full list of BTEC winners

• BTEC Art and Design Learner of the Year – Lily Robinson from Kirklees College 
• BTEC Business and Enterprise Learner of the Year and Young Learner of the Year – Lily Carcaterra from Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group 
• BTEC Child, Health and Social Care Learner of the Year – Aliyah Black from South West College 
• BTEC Construction Learner of the Year – Joseph Kizhakechethipuzha from Dudley College of Technology 
• BTEC Creative Media Learner of the Year – Tiago Bastos Nunes from ETIC, Portugal 
• BTEC Engineering Learner of the Year – Dean Hargreaves from Blackpool and The Fylde College 
• BTEC Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Learner of the Year – Caitlin Tohill and Caoimhe Tohill from St. Patrick’s College 
• BTEC IT and Computing Learner of the Year – Rey Poh from Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College 
• BTEC Land-Based Learner of the Year – Kira Newey from NPTC Group 
• BTEC Music Learner of the Year – Rowan Scourfield from The Priory School 
• BTEC Performing Arts Learner of the Year – Wilbert Kapinga from Braeburn International School Arusha, Tanzania 
• BTEC Public Service Learner of the Year and Adult Learner of the Year – James Smith from East Surrey College 
• BTEC Science Learner of the Year – Jacob Cook from Bristol Free School and Sixth Form 
• BTEC Sport Learner of the Year – Megan Piechowiak from Jumeirah English Speaking School, UAE 
• BTEC College of the Year – Abingdon and Witney College 
• BTEC International Centre of the Year – IVS Alliance, Netherlands 
• BTEC School of the Year – The Bourne Academy 
• BTEC Teacher of the Year – Eren Büktel from TED Atakent High School, Turkey 
• BTEC Tutor of the Year – Nathan Smith from Chichester College Group

Shane Chowen has been appointed as the new editor of FE Week.

He will take the reins in August from Nick Linford, who is returning to writing FE funding and data blogs, publishing technical guides and expanding his workshops and webinars.

Chowen is currently the East and West Midlands area director at the Association of Colleges. He previously worked as head of policy and public affairs at the Learning and Work Institute and as a policy officer at the Institute for Learning.

He is also a former vice president for FE at the National Union of Students and was a governor at Capital City College Group until May 2021.

Chowen will take over as editor of FE Week ten years after its launch in 2011.

He said: “It’s an enormous privilege to be leading FE Week in to its second decade and I’m really excited about joining the team at such a critical moment for our sector.

“I’ve been a passionate champion for FE throughout my career and FE Week’s role in bringing the sector breaking news, expert analysis and inspiring features has never been more important.”

Linford said: “FE Week launched ten years ago and after more than 350 editions, I will be handing over the editorial reigns to a well-known figure in the sector.

“My focus will return to writing FE funding and data blogs, publishing technical guides and expanding the workshop and webinar offer that I have been running since 2007, when a Director at Lewisham College.

“I’m very confident FE Week under new leadership will continue to go from strength to strength. I wish Shane the best of luck.”

And Shane Mann, managing director of FE Week’s publisher Lsect, added: “FE Week will celebrate its 10th Birthday in September. Nick has been instrumental in FE Week’s success over the past ten years. His energy and tenacity have helped FE Week become the leading news provider in the FE & Skills sector.

“Shane will have the opportunity to help shape and grow FE Week as it enters its next decade. I have known Shane for almost 15 years. I’ve always been struck by his passion for the further education sector. I can’t wait to see what Shane does with FE Week. It’s going to be another exciting decade for FE Week.

“I look forward to working with Nick as we continue to invest in and grow our broader organisation.”

Degree-level learners are over four times more likely to access further training throughout their life than those with no qualifications, a new report has found.

‘Learning at work: Employer investment in skills,’ published today by the Learning and Work Institute, found almost one-third of graduates undertook training in quarter three of 2020, compared to one in 13 workers with no qualifications.

People in the lowest-paid occupations were also being left out of training. Just 11 per cent of workers in “elementary occupations” and “process and plant operative” jobs participated in training in quarter three of 2020, compared with 34 per cent of people in “professional occupations”.

Learning and Work Institute chief executive Stephen Evans believes the economy is being “held back” because “the lowest paid and those with the fewest qualifications are most likely to miss out” on training.

‘Sharp growth’ in degree-level training collides with drop in level 2 apprenticeships

The report, sponsored by NOCN, found an extra 1.2 million people would receive training every year if those with low qualifications participated in training like learners qualified to degree-level.

It also found that declines in employer training over the past decade mean workers get 20 million fewer training days each year than if training had stayed at 2011 levels, with the report saying these days are now “lost”.

The average employer’s investment in skills is also just half what it is in the EU, at £1,530 per worker, and it would take £6.5 billion a year for employers to make up the difference.

The report partly lays the blame on government apprenticeship reforms and adult education cuts. It states that the levy system, introduced in 2017, increased higher-level apprenticeships for older workers while felling opportunities for lower-level courses for younger workers.

There was a 5.4 per cent rise in apprentices aged over 25 between 2017/18 and 2019/20, coinciding with 4.8 per cent drop in apprentices aged under 19.

This is linked to a “sharp growth,” albeit from a low level, in degree-level training and steep declines in level 2 apprenticeships.

Spending on adult education has also been cut by 50 per cent in real terms, since 2009/10. Work-based learning for adults has seen an 18 per cent fall in real-terms overall spending since then.

This has meant “fewer opportunities for people to learn at lower levels,” leading to a 40 per cent drop in participation in adult basic skills provision in the last five years.

While the government has launched its lifetime skills guarantee and a new level 3 entitlement, the report says: “Growing level 3 and above learning is a good aim, but if it comes at the expense of basic skills and level 2 then it risks limiting opportunity.”

The Learning and Work Institute has said it will set out recommendations for increasing employer investment in skills and addressing inequalities in access to workplace learning in its next report.

Covid impacts young peoples’ training the harshest

Coronavirus is blamed for some more recent falls in employer training, with the report finding young people have been impacted by large drops in training during the pandemic, particularly if they work in the private sector.

Rates of participation in job-related training dropped the most for those aged 16 to 24 of any age group, slightly more than those aged 50 to 64. Participation by private sector workers fell for 16- to 24-year-olds far more than any other age group.

NOCN chief executive Graham Hasting-Evans has said the new report “highlights not only how the pandemic has affected investment in training but also identifies pre-pandemic issues of inequality and declining employer investment for skills.

“Skills investment from employers and the government is critical to ‘building back better’ from the pandemic and reducing inequalities in access to workplace learning.”

Report could raise fears about ‘middle class’ grab on apprenticeships

The findings on graduates accessing training far more easily than workers at lower levels are likely to heighten fears within government of a “middle class grab” on the apprenticeship programme.

Skills minister Gillian Keegan told the Commons education select committee in May the government was “fearful” degree apprenticeships were being chosen by people “who would have gone to university anyway,” which was “squeezing out” disadvantaged groups.

Her comments paralleled those of her predecessor Anne Milton, who told a House of Lords inquiry in 2018 “fears of a middle-class grab on apprenticeships” were “valid”.

Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes said, in response to a report by think tank EDSK on the rise in degree apprenticeships, that their growth “has been at the expense of chances for younger people looking for their first opportunity in the workplace”.

A Department for Education spokesperson said they had “put reforming skills at the heart of our plans to recover from the pandemic”.

They highlighted the increase in apprentice incentives to £3,000 per learner and the £2.5 billion being put into the National Skills Fund “which will help adults to train and gain the valuable skills they need to improve their job prospects”.

The new level 3 entitlement, the spokesperson added, will affect an estimated 11 million adults in England, who will have “the potential to boost their career prospects and wages, while supporting the economy and building back better”.