In March, 2,008 mentions of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)" were recorded in the UK media, a 23 per cent decline on recorded mentions in February 2025.
Increased coverage was driven by the flurry of announcements that preceded the Chancellor's Spring Statement on March 26th.
The figures for last month also represent a 12 per cent increase on those of the same month in 2024.
The chart below plots the mentions of "further education" and "apprenticeship(s)" in the media over the last twelve months.
Policy & Parliament
Policy
Naturally, the Spring Statement was the source of a slew of policy news and drew much of the media’s attention in March. While controversial changes to welfare were announced in the Chancellor’s speech on the day, more positive news for the FE and skills sector had been released in the hours before.
On the 23rd, the DfE announced a major £625 million investment to train up 60,000 more skilled construction workers as part of their drive to build 1.5 million homes by 2030.
Included was the provision of £100 million to fund ten Technical Excellence Colleges - existing colleges “in every region in England” that will be “specialised in construction” - and £165 million of new funding to help colleges deliver more construction courses.
There was also £100 million of funding for skills bootcamps in the construction sector, and an additional £40 million to support foundation apprenticeships in the sector. Employers will be, according to the government, incentivised to the tune of £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in the construction industry.
A further £100 million of government funding, alongside a £32 million contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) was announced to fund over 40,000 industry placements each year for all Level 2 and Level 3 learners.
There was a mixed response in the sector. AoC’s David Hughes said it was “reassuring” to hear the Chancellor announce additional investment in colleges, showing that she “recognises the central role colleges play in educating and training the workforce of today and tomorrow.”
AELP’s Ben Rowland, however, felt that the government was “tying one hand behind its back” in only making new construction sector programmes available for colleges – who make up just 15 per cent of the provider base for apprenticeships.
Achievement rates improve
Shortly afterward, the Department released the latest apprenticeships qualification achievement rate (QAR) data, revealing that achievement surged more than six percentage points between 2022/23 and 2023/24, rising to 60.5 per cent.
The rates, which stood at just 51.4 per cent in 2021/22 and 54.3 per cent in 2022/23, leapfrogged the 60 per cent mark in a boost that moves the sector much closer to the government’s 67 per cent achievement rate target that it hopes to achieve by the end of 2024-25. The retention rate also grew significantly, from 55.9 per cent in 2022/23 to 61.9 per cent last year.
Skills minister Jacqui Smith said the overall achievement rate rise is the “biggest increase since the standards were introduced” and a “fantastic result”. AELP's Ben Rowland, meanwhile, said the increase in achievement "is excellent news and a testament to the tireless efforts of learners, employers, and providers across the country."
Parliament
Through March, there were 298 mentions of “further education” and “apprenticeship(s)” across Parliament - inclusive of Commons and Lords debates, written answers, ministerial statements etc). This was a whopping 95 mentions higher than in February, and by far the highest over the last year.
Highlights
Admittedly, much of the discussion came during debates related to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) bill. Within these, however, was some tough questioning from the shadow education minister Neil O’Brien to one of his counterparts, Janet Daby, regarding the future of Labour’s past commitment to enabling 50 per cent “flexibility” for businesses to spend levy money on.
“Absolutely unreal” was the cry of O’Brien as the debate wrapped up.
Elsewhere, it was Groundhog Day for those hoping for more detailed responses on the future of level 7 apprenticeships, a decision that has been lingering for several months now without a tangible deadline as to completion - aside from “in due course”.
Both Conservative John Glen and Labour’s Andy McDonald posed questions regarding the implications of level 7 changes on on skills shortages in the NHS. Several thousand level 7 apprenticeships come in the form of Advanced Clinical Practitioners. The response was relatively consistent with previous questions on the topic - the government, recognising the importance of “providing clarity as soon as possible”, said the next steps would be revealed… “in due course”.
In the Media
There was a range of media coverage of the sector in March.
Responding to the Government’s latest announcements for the construction industry, Neil Jefferson, CEO of the Home Builders Federation, wrote in FE Week arguing that the government's optimistic housebuilding targets must be accompanied by reform to vocational qualifications - many of which currently "fail to equip learners with the practical skills and qualities that employers’ demand".
Following publication of the latest achievement rate figures, AELP’s Ben Rowland penned an article in FE Week praising the “significant milestone” as a “symbolic threshold crossed”. “This is not by chance”, he continued, “it’s the result of year-on-year improvement, built through dedication and detailed work at every stage of the learner journey.”
FE News covered the details of, and sector response to, the government’s major construction funding package announced on March 23rd.
The Independent covered a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) which raised concerns about the low take-up, awareness, and availability of industry placements for T-levels - urging the DfE to address these issues properly if they intend solidify T-levels as the main post-16 technical qualification.
Elsewhere, following February's estimations that there could be up to one million youngsters not in education, employment or training (NEET), The Guardian reported on Andy Burnham’s view that Whitehall’s approach to education has left ‘left a generation of teenagers with no hope’. One of the main causes, Burnham said, was a “school system that fails them is overly focused on the traditional university route, rather than catering for the requirements of those who want to pursue technical paths.”
Top Stories
FE News - £600 Million Construction Training Funding Package To Train 60,000 More Construction Workers
"Up to 60,000 more engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to be trained by 2029, as Chancellor outlines how the Government will train more workers to tackle skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the construction sector."
FE Week - Qualification challenges threaten government’s housing mission
"Too few college construction courses equip learners with the skills employers need, leaving many unprepared for work."
The Guardian - Whitehall has left generation of teenagers with no hope, says Andy Burnham
"Greater Manchester mayor says number of young people not in education, employment or training has reached unacceptable levels."
The Independent - Government must boost student numbers on T-levels to realise full benefits – NAO
"Issues with student take-up, awareness and availability of industry placements should be addressed to cement T-levels as the main post-16 technical qualification, a Government spending watchdog has suggested."
FE Week - We’re driving apprenticeships forward and speeding past 60
Ben Rowland: "The sector should be proud after pushing QAR rates up through collaboration and sheer hard work."
