Skills reform

Skills excellence is the missing ingredient in the UK’s industrial strategy

Skills excellence – not just skills – will drive the UK’s economic future, so don’t overlook it

Jessica Hill
Ben Blackledge
Skills shortages

Power crisis: the UK’s infrastructure boom could stall before it starts

The government wants to build more homes, greener energy, and major infrastructure – but a fast-declining electrical workforce could...

Jessica Hill
Chris Claydon
Ofsted

The unseen impact of Ofsted: What one grade can really cost

How a single Ofsted grade for a small part of overall provision triggered contract losses, staff redundancies and even...

Jessica Hill
Ian Ross
Apprenticeships

DfE agrees ‘transitional period’ for new off the job policy

Four-month grace period for 39 apprenticeships with revised off-the-job training hours follows sector concerns

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

Marples trial: ‘Resentful’ funding agency ‘spooked’ 3aaa buyer

Two days of cross-examination of ex-apprenticeships boss ends with revelation he ‘drafted’ expert’s statements

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and James Sharp
ITP funding

The country needs us so why treat ITPs as second-class providers?

Independent training providers are treated unfairly with unequal access to funds so it’s time funding followed the learner, not...

Jessica Hill
Stuart Allen
Apprenticeships

I know how apprenticeships can fail… these reforms can fix that

Changes to funding rules are to be applauded but employers and providers must embrace their spirit

Jessica Hill
James Kimble
Apprenticeships

What England can learn from apprenticeships run overseas

From minimum durations to volunteer coaches, international examples show us the way forward on apprenticeships

Jessica Hill
Dr Rebecca Montacute
Skills funding

Why is the chancellor avoiding the easiest win for growth?

It’s cheap, quick, and universally supported. Yet the chancellor barely mentioned skills in her spending review. In a time...

Jessica Hill
Ben Rowland