Latest news, analysis, and insights into the further education and skills sector.
2 Sep 2024

What should a new Growth and Skills Levy look like in practice?

In this month's edition, we invite experts to share their thoughts on what a new growth and skills levy should look like in practice - where it should focus reform, what specifically it should include in its stipulations, and why effective changes could be key for the future of the UK’s skills landscape.

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Editions

A woman with medium-length brown hair and bright red lipstick smiles while holding a red folder. She wears a blue blouse and a dark blazer, walking through an architectural setting.
2 Sep 2024 Editions

What should a new Growth and Skills Levy look like in practice?

In this month's edition, we invite experts to share their thoughts on what a new growth and skills levy should look like in practice - where it should focus reform, what specifically it...

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30 Aug 2024 Editions

Further Education & Apprenticeships Monthly News Round-up: August 2024

Welcome to Bridgehead Education's latest monthly news roundup of 2024, that explores and analyses trends in the coverage of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)"...

Rolled newspapers with various bold headlines and text showing a mix of news topics and styles.
2 Aug 2024 Editions

Further Education & Apprenticeships Monthly News Round-up: July 2024

Welcome to Bridgehead Education's latest monthly news roundup of 2024, that explores and analyses trends in the coverage of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)"...

Interviews

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1 Sep 2024 Interviews

Faye Skelton, Head of Policy at Make UK, on Apprenticeship Levy reform

In this interview, we sit down with Faye Skelton, Head of Policy at Make UK, to discuss her thoughts on what a reformed apprenticeship levy should look like in practice.

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27 Jun 2024 Interviews

Simon Ashworth, Director of Policy at the AELP, on the general election and future of FE and Skills

Ahead of the General Election, Simon Ashworth outlines his thoughts on the headline FE and Skills policy proposals of the two major parties, and considers the future of the sector into the next...

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16 May 2024 Interviews

EXIT INTERVIEW: The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP on his tenure and the future of FE and Skills

The sudden resignation of Robert Halfon on 26 March shook the FE and skills sector as he decided to stand down at the next general election following 14 years as an MP and nine as a...

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26 Apr 2024 Interviews

Labour Wrong To Ring-Fence “Only” Half The Levy — Ex UCAS Executive Director Of Strategy

With the Prime Minister's apprenticeship reforms coming into effect this April, Managing Director of Bridgehead Education, William Walter, and Consultant, Ellis Coughlan, sit down with...

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17 Feb 2024 Interviews

Peter Aldous MP: The greatest threats to FE and Skills in 2024

We sit down with Peter Aldous MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Further Education and Lifelong Learning to get his take on the key challenges to the FE and skills sector in 2024....

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3 Jul 2023 Interviews

Graham Morley, senior leadership consultant and experienced college leader

This month, senior leadership consultant and experienced college leader 

Opinions

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2 Sep 2024 Opinions

There's no need to call everything an apprenticeship

Andrew Clark

Andrew Clark, former Deputy Business Editor at The Times and most recently Director of Corporate Communications at the The Go-Ahead Group, explains why a more flexible levy is the right way...

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31 Jul 2024 Opinions

T-Level investment can provide fuel behind economic growth

Ruth Coyle, La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls School

In this piece, Ruth Coyle shares her insights into how T Levels are implemented in practice, explains why they have proven valuable at La Retraite, and offers her top tips for maximising their...

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27 Jun 2024 Opinions

Skills policy will witness change in the next parliament

Paul Ferguson, Operations Director, Lifetime Training

Paul Ferguson, Operations Director at renowned training provider Lifetime, sets out his thoughts on the key FE and skills policy proposals of the Labour and Conservative parties.

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1 Sep 2023 Opinions

Tackling dud degrees is only half the battle

Mark Bremner, MBKB

MBKB's Chief Executive Mark Bremner proposes a series of reforms regarding wages and the flexibility in apprenticeship provision to overcome poor apprenticeship completion rates.

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30 May 2023 Opinions

Time for Change: Measuring quality in apprenticeship delivery

Simon Ashworth, AELP

Simon Ashworth, Director of Policy for the AELP, outlines how the government could modernise the way success and quality is measured within apprenticeships.

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2 May 2023 Opinions

The struggle of specialist FE colleges in government SEND plans

Ruth Perry, Natspec

Natspec's senior policy manager Ruth Perry sets out how the specialist college estate has been degraded without adequate capital funding which is why, she argues, the sector needs a...

Featured

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1 Aug 2024 Editions

Level 3 Reforms in Focus: The Battle between T Levels and BTECs

In this month's edition, we delve into the debate surrounding Advanced General Qualifications (AGQs) and T-Levels, after a month of heightened tensions in the sector...

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26 Feb 2024 Editions

Colleges Week 2024: David Hughes CBE talks elections, levy reform, funding challenges and skills gaps

To mark the start of Colleges Week 2024, we interviewed David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges. David shares his insights with us about the opportunities and challenges...

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17 Feb 2024 Interviews

Peter Aldous MP: The greatest threats to FE and Skills in 2024

We sit down with Peter Aldous MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Further Education and Lifelong Learning to get his take on the key challenges to the FE and skills sector in 2024....

Reports

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