Skills reform

FE isn’t built for sprinting, so don’t treat skills reform as a race

At the AoC Conference, one message came through loud and clear: FE can’t absorb another whirlwind overhaul. Ministers want...

Jessica Hill
Rob May
Skills reform

The skills system is broken because we keep fixing it in pieces

Employers aren’t walking away from training – they’re being driven off by complexity, cost and constant reform

Jessica Hill
Lindsay Conroy
Skills reform

LSIPs 2.0: Colleges and universities told to pool intelligence

New guidance builds on white paper pledge for ‘more coherent’ post-16 pathways

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Skills reform

Fake cards, real risks: building sites need digital skills passports

We shouldn’t be relying on plastic CSCS cards to stop corruption and ensure safety when a secure digital alternative...

Jessica Hill
Paul Devlin
16-19, Qualifications, Skills reform

We need to deliver a new V Level vision for Level 3

The new qualification family promises to simplify the post-16 landscape, but success will depend on how well we protect...

Jessica Hill
Lisa O'Loughlin and John Laramy
NEETs, Skills reform

Alan Milburn to lead ‘uncompromising’ review into rising NEETs

Investigation will place specific focus on the impact of mental health and disability

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Higher education, Skills reform

Don’t knock pathways – they’re a front door to higher education

Foundation years and CertHEs suffer an image problem, but they foster collaboration between FE and HE and ensure students...

Jessica Hill
Gianina Harvey-Brewin
English and maths, Skills reform

Francis review prompts DfE shake-up of English and maths accountability measures

Review response also reveals incoming guidance for colleges on enrichment

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Skills reform

1-week apprenticeship ‘units’, and 5 other things we learned from Smith’s white paper briefing

Skills minister also defends adult education plans and explains the need to introduce laws that ban ‘unsuitable' FE leaders

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Josh Mellor