Opinion

FE on the frontline of the biggest peacetime battle

The apprenticeships and skills minister explains her gratitude and optimism for the sector in face of the Covid-19 pandemic….

Billy Camden
GILLIAN KEEGAN
Opinion

Be clear, be informative, be approachable

We owe our staff, students and other stakeholders good leadership – but remember to show a human face as…

Fraser Whieldon
RUTH SPARKES
Opinion

As Covid-19 lock-down looms, we must be there for one another

In the face of the global pandemic, there is a great deal for the UK’s awarding industry to be…

Fraser Whieldon
Tom Bewick
Opinion

In the absence of official ‘clarity and certainty’ – what does the FE sector know tonight?

UPDATE 20/03/20: The government has now publish key worker guidance here, a Q & A here and information for…

Billy Camden
NICK LINFORD
Opinion

A principal’s day of shock, some relief and a poignant note to end on

The need to act on government’s decision is tempered by concern for our students, writes college principal and the…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
NICK BURNHAM
Opinion

My notes ahead of select committee session on the apprenticeship levy

The education select committee held their first session yesterday with what it called a “discussion around the complexity of…

Nick Linford
NICK LINFORD


Opinion

Popularity of vocational training in UK not reflected in funding

School leavers are favouring a vocational qualification over a more academic path, yet not enough cash is there for…

Fraser Whieldon
Sam Tuckett
Opinion

Working together to create a sustainable apprenticeship system that unlocks talent, and supports businesses and the economy

A long-term vision for apprenticeships, the report from the Independent Apprenticeship Policy Group, sponsored by Pearson, was launched at…

Fraser Whieldon
Neil Carmichael
Opinion

How does reserving unskilled jobs for UK workers benefit them, or the FE sector?

The proposed “points-based” immigration system has a number of seemingly ill-thought through consequences, argues Mick Fletcher Many in colleges…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
MICK FLETCHER
Opinion

Learning to love the local when it comes to adult education provision

Are we really keen to see London, Manchester, Birmingham and the West Midlands with no powers over education and…

Fraser Whieldon
Professor Ewart Keep
Opinion

On the right track: there is much that FE teachers can learn from elite athletes

Helen Van Aardt has identified eight things that athletes preparing for competition have in common with teachers An elite…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
HELEN VAN AARDT
Opinion

Investment and strategy needed to rescue UK from its low skills doldrums

A decade of cuts in training and adult education has led to millions of demoralised and underskilled working age…

Fraser Whieldon
Kirstie Donnelly