Skills reform

Labour conference 2025: Pat McFadden’s full speech

The work and pensions secretary, who now controls most of the skills brief, addressed the party's annual conference in...

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Politics

Skills are the missing piece in our fight against wasted potential

One in eight young people are not in education, employment or training. The answer lies in more training in...

Jessica Hill
Pat McFadden
Politics

One minister, two beasts: Can Jacqui Smith fix the skills system?

Jacqui Smith’s unprecedented brief spanning the DfE and DWP signals ambition for a joined-up skills system. But without wider...

Jessica Hill
Dr Sue Pember
Training Providers

SWAPs is for keeps despite questions over its success

The government will fund 100,00 starts on the training and work experience scheme next year

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
16-19

Young NEETs approaches 1m

The figures will continue to rise without 'drastic change', experts warn

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Adult education

DWP slammed for keeping revived training scheme outcomes a secret

SWAPs have had 330,000 participants since it was re-launched in 2020

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
News

Skills Commission demands cross-departmental minister for lifelong learning

A group of key FE figures has called for a cross-departmental minister for a lifelong learning, through a new...

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Government pushes for more over-60s apprentices

Over-60s are being encouraged to do more apprenticeships, in a new government report looking at how to boost employment...

Paul Offord
Paul Offord