Left to sink or swim

Left to sink or swim 

Mick Fletcher reflects on the findings of the House of Lords Social Mobility Committee’s report on improving the transition…

Championing apprenticeships

Nichola Hay explains how and why she helped launch an innovative network of apprenticeship champions to provide better information…

Reversing financial downward spiral

Carole Kitching reflects on her management team’s drive to improve its finances. Lewisham Southwark College reported an operating deficit…

Improving inspections post-levy

John Hyde looks ahead to how apprenticeships will be inspected after the levy is launched. Introducing the Digital Apprenticeship…

We’re going on a bear hunt

The government’s programme of post-16 area reviews has been likened to Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory on survival of the…

Short-changing individuals and the public purse

Ofsted recently published a thematic report on how FE is preparing young people with high needs for adult life….

Core problem with transparency

The SFA’s refusal to publish or share a list of over 400 level two and three qualifications, which for…

Dear Dr Sue (Edition 168)

On the third Monday of every month Dr Sue, Holex director of policy and external relations, answers your questions,…

Disadvantaged young people can be successful with the right support

Steve Woolcock, Barnardo’s head of employment training and skills, talks about how best to support vulnerable young people into…

Some welcome news

It’s great news that the Skills Funding Agency has finally committed to funding in-year 16 to 18 apprenticeships. We…

IfA can dig government out of apprenticeships hole

The old adage when you’re in a hole first stop digging before you find a way out couldn’t be…