Weekly Newsletter 28.11.2024

LINKEDIN VOICES

EDUCATION POLICY

Skills England's Success Depends on Guaranteed Independence

Skills England is gaining attention as a crucial initiative in the education landscape; however, former education secretary Damian Hinds has expressed concerns over its prospective structure. If established as an in-house agency within the Department for Education, without the independence of its predecessor, there is a risk of diminishing public trust in technical education standards. Hinds emphasised the importance of institutional independence and employer involvement in setting educational standards.

Ministers are working on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions, etc) Bill, which aims to hand over standards-setting powers to the education secretary. Despite government assurances of Skills England having an independent board, Hinds has called for legislative amendments to ensure true autonomy and a role for businesses in shaping standards.

The government's vision for Skills England as a cross-departmental body is critiqued by Hinds, arguing its positioning simply within the DfE limits its scope. He suggests that placing it in the Treasury or Cabinet Office would strengthen its influence.

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

Bridging Skills Gap with FE-Employer Partnerships

A glaring mismatch exists between the degrees offered in the UK and the practical skills employers need. Thousands of graduates are underemployed; thus, the call for a strategic overhaul in further education is urgent. The UK must integrate apprenticeships and enhance industry partnerships to bridge this gap. Once central to British industry, apprenticeships need revitalisation, shedding any negative bias to again become a valued career path.

Work-based learning offers tangible benefits by directly applying skills within industry contexts, developing crucial workplace competencies, and fostering professional networks. Collaborations between educational institutions and employers should be prioritised, focusing on developing curricula that align with current and future demands, ensuring practical work placements, and embedding technology training.

EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY

Get Britain Working Plan Unveils Major Employment Reforms

The UK government has unveiled the Get Britain Working White Paper, a significant reform initiative targeting employment support with a £240 million investment. Aimed at achieving an 80% employment rate, the plan includes transforming Jobcentres into modern national jobs and careers services, providing every young person access to apprenticeships, and expanding mental health support.

The initiative addresses the UK's unique challenges, including a drop in employment rates and rising inactivity due to long-term sickness. Key reforms include empowering local leaders, launching a Youth Guarantee, transforming the Apprenticeship Levy and reviewing employers' roles for inclusive workplaces.

The plan's overarching goal is to provide secure, rewarding work opportunities and improve living standards. Additional measures involve overhauling health and disability benefits systems and enhancing support for people with disabilities and health conditions. By fostering collaborations with local authorities, mayors, and businesses, these reforms aim to create a healthier and wealthier nation.

EDUCATION SECTOR

Wales Urged to Prioritise Apprenticeship Funding for Economic Growth

The recent publication by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) and ColegauCymru sheds light on the substantial impacts of apprenticeship funding cuts in Wales. According to independent research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), these cuts carry significant economic and social repercussions, predominantly hitting deprived communities and essential sectors like healthcare and construction. Emphasising the necessity for sustained investment, the findings suggest that funding apprenticeships is crucial for economic growth and workforce development.

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