Opinion

In a time of uncertainty, here are some predictions for the sector

The skills system has done an amazing job during the corona crisis and will be critical as the UK…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
DAVID MARSH
Opinion

It’s hard to argue that further college rationalisation isn’t needed

Rationalisation needs to reconcile three very different types of college – and the grey areas in between, says John…

Simon Kay
JOHN COPE
Opinion

Former adviser to skills minister calls for temporary ban on new adult apprentices

The response to the pandemic recession must centre on supporting those who are finishing their education and those who…

Simon Kay
TOM RICHMOND
Opinion

Necessity breeds invention, and grade assessment has had to adapt quickly

This crisis has shown how well we can make transitions in order to protect students’ interests, says Julie Mizon…

Simon Kay
JULIE MIZON
Opinion

The can has been shaken, so we must proceed with caution

Re-opening campus is a high-risk, high-stress, physical and emotional challenge, says Stuart Rimmer. Here are some guiding principles to…

Simon Kay
Stuart Rimmer
Opinion

Why take on an apprentice during these challenging times? Here’s why

If businesses in the hardest-hit sectors are to thrive post-lockdown, new skills and new ways of working will be…

Simon Kay
STUART SHIELD


Opinion

One positive we’ll take from coronavirus is that it forced us to be innovative

Students need support more than ever during the Covid-19 crisis, and rapidly finding new ways to reach and engage…

Simon Kay
DAVE HOPLEY
Opinion

Observations from a disappointed independent training provider

It is a mistake for the ESFA to use the apprenticeship achievement rate to measure the quality of provision….

Simon Kay
NEIL DAVIES
Opinion

Colleges aren’t expecting a bailout – they want to help with a ‘September promise’

Colleges in England look set to lose around £150 million of their income, 2 per cent of turnover, in…

Billy Camden
David Hughes
Opinion

Why it’s good to get out of your comfort zone and create ‘the new normal’

Michelle Brabner’s first days in her new job as college principal occurred just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold….

Fraser Whieldon
Michelle Brabner
Opinion

Young people’s skills vital to recovering from the post-COVID-19 recession

The forecast recession looks likely to hit young people the hardest, but investing in their skills is key to…

Billy Camden
NEIL BENTLEY-GOCKMANN
Opinion

There’s a new breed of college in town, as we learn to adapt

The pandemic is forcing us to adopt new ways of working, and if we remain flexible, we have much…

Fraser Whieldon
Dr Paul Phillips CBE