In December, 1,603 mentions of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)" were recorded in the UK media, a five per cent decrease on recorded mentions in November.
Interestingly, though, the figures for last mont represent a 25 per cent increase on those of the same month in 2023.
The chart below plots the mentions of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)" in the media over the last twelve months.
2. Policy & Parliament
Policy
Policy and parliamentary news for the sector was less prevalent than in November, as the wave of announcements and reception from the budget died down.
There was finally news, however, regarding the future of level 3 qualifications, which we explored in a previous edition. The government’s “short review” of previous defunding plans determined that 157 level 3 qualifications previously facing the axe will continue to receive funding into 2026 and 2027. 57 qualifications in digital, construction and health and science will now be funded until July 2026, while a further 100 in engineering, agriculture, business and creative will retain funding until July 2027.
Skills minister Jacqui Smith nonetheless reiterated the Government's commitment to the "long term delivery of T Levels as the best technical education option for young people", though recognised the need for a "pragmatic approach" to qualification reforms.
Later in the month, Parliament's Education Select Committee announced the launch of a "major new inquiry" focused on finding solutions to the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, including in FE. The Committee will focus on how to stabilise the system in the short term, and how to achieve long term sustainability with improved outcomes for children and young people.
Committee Chair Helen Hayes MP pledged that the committee would "play [their] part" in tackling the key issues in the SEND system by providing "evidence-based recommendations that the government can implement".
Parliament
Mentions of “further education” and “apprenticeship(s)” in the UK parliament, ranging from Commons and Lords debates to written answers and ministerial statements, stood at 171 in December - 15 lower than in November, a year high.
Highlights
Questions continued to pile in on the future of Level 7 apprenticeships, the results of a consultation around which are expected in the coming weeks.
In one debate, Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien accused Labour of reneging on their previous commitment to allowing businesses to spend up to 50 per cent of their levy cash on non-apprenticeship training. He accused the Department of “taking away flexibility” for businesses, and called on the Minister to rule out “doing to level 6 apprenticeships what she is doing to level 7 apprenticeships”.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson responded by committing to “reforming the failing apprenticeship levy and turning it into a growth and skills levy with up to 50 per cent flexibility for employers”, a surprising comment given previous indications reported in FE Week that the department had “all but dropped” the 50 per cent commitment.
In a public response, O’Brien said this was "just the latest example of confusion and chaos in Labour’s education policy”, while AELP’s Ben Rowland urged the government to “adopt a clear position on all of this, and communicate it to employers, many of whom are increasingly confused about what is happening and their role in skills and productivity.”
We still await official government confirmation as to how far the level 7 funding cull will go...
3. In the Media
December was a month of mixed coverage for the sector.
Early in the month, the Social Market Foundation, a cross-party think tank, warned the government to fix the issues preventing small businesses from fully embracing apprenticeships, particularly in skilled trades. Their report, Laying the Foundations, made several recommendations aimed at addressing barriers to apprenticeship uptake in SMEs, including:
Increasing the apprenticeship incentive payment for under 19s.
Launching a national campaign to promote awareness and positive perceptions of young apprentices.
Strengthening relationships between SMEs and training providers.
Despite concern, FE Week reported on comments by new Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver that apprenticeship quality was “improving” in the UK, even though there has been an overall fall in numbers.
Elsewhere...
More media interest emerged mid-way through the month. The Sunday Times, for example, wrote a long-read on the increasing uptake of degree apprentices among young people. Sian Griffiths sat down with several degree apprentices to speak through their experiences away from the traditional undergraduate route.
Growth?
Less positive news cropped up again in the final days before Christmas, with the CBI’s December Growth Indicator revealing that private sector firms expect activity to fall in the three months to March. They found that expectations were at their weakest in over two years, with pessimism shared across all sub-sectors.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI's Interim Deputy Chief Economist, said that firms were “looking to the government to boost confidence and to give them a reason to invest”, including through apprenticeship levy reforms.
Sector Awards
Despite challenges, December ended on a celebratory note as more than fifteen individuals linked to FE and skills were recognised in the King's 2025 New Year Honours List.
Among recipients of a damehood was Professor Alison Fuller, a leading academic researching and advising governments on apprenticeships, vocational training and work. Former Schools Minister Nick Gibb was also knighted, while former Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton was made a CBE for services to education. Barton said the honour "demonstrates that education isn’t on the periphery, [and] that it matters".
Three college principals and one former chair of governors have also been named CBEs, with two other college principals handed OBEs. Ten MBEs and two British Empire Medals were also bestowed upon others linked to further education and skills.
As we continue to follow how the media are digesting the Government's latest policy announcements, here are our top five stories of the month:
FE Week - Revealed: Level 3 qualifications saved from the chop... for now
"Popular level 3 qualifications including 44 BTECs that were facing the scrap heap have been given a stay of execution.
Ministers will allow 70 per cent of the courses earmarked for defunding to continue up to 2027, a departure from the previous government, which wanted to clear the decks and axe qualifications that could rival T Levels from this year."
The Times - The apprentices making £100,000 while they get a 'free' degree
"The number of teenagers choosing to do a degree apprenticeship has more than doubled in the past five years, with many earning as much as £100,000 over the course of their “free” degree."
Social Market Foundation - Skills crisis to worsen as small businesses unable to take on apprentices
"The Social Market Foundation – a cross-party think tank – has warned government to fix the issues preventing small businesses from fully embracing apprenticeships, particularly in skilled trades."
Parliament - Solving the SEND crisis – Education Committee launches major inquiry
"The Education Committee has launched a major new inquiry focused on finding solutions to the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision."
FE Week - New Years Honours 2025: Who got what in FE and Skills?
"College principals, governors, a former education union leader and a well-known vocational education professor are among the recipients of the 2025 new year honours for services to education."
