Opinion

The green paper that should be required reading for Labour’s NES commission

National Education Service? Labour would do better to develop a new national education entitlement for those aged 18 to…

Expert Contributor
TOM BEWICK
Opinion

Why the IfATE have decided to become more transparent about our plans

Sir Gerry Berragan sets out his institute’s programme for the new financial year The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical…

Expert Contributor
SIR GERRY BERRAGAN
Opinion

The numbers expose the truth – level 6 and 7 is mostly ‘dead weight’ and unaffordable

This week the Association of Employment and Learning Providers called on the government to stop subsidising all level 6…

Fraser Whieldon
Nick Linford
Opinion

Degree apprenticeships must be funded through the levy

Not funding level 6 and 7 apprenticeships through the levy would utterly destroy the productivity and social mobility focus…

Expert Contributor
ADRIAN ANDERSON
Opinion

How should providers interpret the ‘new’ ESFA guidance on prior learning?

It is an add-on rather than an update – and could be an attempt to claw back funding or…

Expert Contributor
SIMON ASHWORTH
Opinion

West Midlands needs better skills – adult education budget devolution can provide them

The adult education budget should be used to help communities that aren’t benefiting from the region’s economic success, says…

Expert Contributor
DR JULIE NUGENT


Opinion

The National Education Service: Suggestions on a postcard, please

In its latest NES consultation document, Labour asks for suggestions on how to achieve local democratic accountability – the…

Expert Contributor
PROFESSOR EWART KEEP
Opinion

Policy makers might call it an unintended consequence, but I call it a scandal

This week the Treasury confirmed that the apprenticeship fee – known as co-investment – will halve from 10 to 5 per cent from…

Fraser Whieldon
Nick Linford
Opinion

Why has England seemingly set out to destroy adult learning opportunities?

It’s good for democracy, health, productivity and civic engagement: lifelong learning in this country must be revitalised, says Alan…

Expert Contributor
SIR ALAN TUCKETT
Opinion

Supported internships are a success story for young people with SEND

The radical change has moved from focussing on young people’s disabilities and problems to supporting them to live ordinary…

Expert Contributor
LINDA JORDAN
Opinion

Apprenticeships should be high-quality vocational pipelines to prosperity

National Apprenticeship Week gives us an opportunity to consider where our system is going wrong and to devise an…

Expert Contributor
ANDY NORMAN
Opinion

The NAO report failed to spot the most immediate apprenticeship problem

The National Audit Office findings into the apprenticeship reform repeated a number of well-reported issues and concerns, ranging from the fall in…

Fraser Whieldon
Nick Linford