Opinion

SMEs must be brought centre stage on apprenticeships

The apprenticeship levy needs to be rebadged as a skills levy and utilised for a broader range of training,…

Expert Contributor
MARK FARRAR
Opinion

Markets aren’t the panacea for public services

The failure of the provider should prompt us to reflect seriously on the role of the marketplace in learning…

Stephen Evans
STEPHEN EVANS
Opinion

Intervention in struggling colleges is painful but necessary

Government interventions can be tough, but they’re necessary if we want to create successful and sustainable colleges, says Anne…

Anne Milton
ANNE MILTON
Opinion

So much about the ESFA’s register of end-point assessment organisations makes no sense

In October 2016 the then-chief executive of the ESFA boasted about how hard it was for organisations to get…

Fraser Whieldon
Nick Linford
Opinion

How local areas are tackling youth unemployment

While last week’s employment statistics were generally good news, they also revealed that youth unemployment is rising. Fiona Aldridge…

Expert Contributor
FIONA ALDRIDGE
Opinion

How a holistic package of support can improve students’ outcomes

Building welfare support into post-16 provision is crucial to improving retention and achievements, says Tara Bliss-Appleton, who has some…

Expert Contributor
TARA BLISS APPLETON


Opinion

How we made virtual reality part of our students’ learning

After a poor Ofsted inspection, Preston’s College worked out how technology could boost student and staff performance, says Steve…

Expert Contributor
STEVE SMITH
Opinion

‘High quality’ apprenticeships at risk from policy blind spots

This week we expose four oversight gaps that have emerged since the implementation of apprenticeships. They each put the…

Fraser Whieldon
Nick Linford
Opinion

We recognise we can improve how we work with employers

In the wake of the recent CBI report that criticised some of the work of the Institute for Apprenticeships,…

Expert Contributor
SIR GERRY BERRAGAN
Opinion

How to get the best out of a college merger

A merger can be a trying and testing time, says Mike Hopkins. But do it right and you can…

Expert Contributor
MIKE HOPKINS
Opinion

Let’s embrace a four nations approach to skills

The new Four Nations College Alliance will help colleges go beyond their borders to learn more about best practice…

Evie Hayes
EWART KEEP
Opinion

If it works for apprentices and employers, it works for Ofsted

Over a six-year period, our college rating for apprenticeships improved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘outstanding’ – and we weren’t even…

Expert Contributor
JACQUI CANTON