#SkillsWorldLive Radio Show: Recent Episodes
FE News
Presented by Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show builds on the popular podcast series, #SkillsWorld on FE News, where Tom interviewed some of the leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships.
Originally created to help bring people together and connect the world of FE during the coronavirus outbreak, season 2 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show will take place every Friday 10:30am to 11:30am.
Supported by the Federation of Awarding Bodies, their Platinum Partners' programme, and in association with FE News, #SkillsWorld Radio Show Live will carry:
— weekly interviews with special guests making headlines from around the globe
— phone-ins for people working in the Further Education and skills sector, including apprenticeships
— analysis of the key issues affecting employers, learners, providers and awarding bodies
— top tunes from the 80s, 90s and 2000s
Your World. Skills World.
Available for broadcast, download and replay on the FE News website (www.fenews.co.uk/skillsworld) and other channels (e.g. Spotify, iTunes and Sound Cloud).
Team:
Presenter: Tom Bewick
Editor: Gavin O’Meara
Digital Producer: Ellie Hanson
Policy: Dr Rebecca Conway
Operations: Karen Daws
E-mail: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
This week, presenter Tom Bewick, was asked to question a panel at the Battle of Ideas Festival taking place in London.
This week, we’re in Leeds as we co-produce the show, sponsored by Pearson, with BTEC Media Production students at Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill Campus.
Delivering a keynote speech to the Bruges Group on Monday 3 October, Jenkyns told a gathering of party members that she felt the government had another major fight on its hands, at least equivalent to the Brexit process.
On the FE and skills brief, minister Jenkyns said:
“A skilled modern economy competing on the global stage requires technical skills just as much as it needs graduates. Yet the current system would rather our young people get a degree in Harry Potter studies than an apprenticeship in construction. Now, it doesn't take magic powers to work out that this is wrong, which is why the government is committed to putting the broomstick to good use and carrying out a spring clean of low-quality courses. If a course isn't providing someone with a positive outcome leading to a well-paid job, then it makes no sense why the government should be funding it, especially taxpayers.
“We're injecting more flexibility in the funding system, and we are changing the landscape of how qualifications are funded and making it easier to access education whatever stage in your life.”
The Great Skills Debate at the Labour Party Conference.
For the first time, Skills World Live Radio Show hit the main party political conference season, starting with Labour in Liverpool.
It comes at a time when:
The UK is the second slowest in the G7 for productivity grow (output per hour worked)
British employers have slashed investment in workplace skills by up to a fifth since 2005
2 million adults have fallen off the community education rolls
The number of apprenticeship opportunities for young people under 25 has nearly halved
In England, the government is threatening to axe thousands of qualifications at Level 2 and below
Presenter, Tom Bewick, leads a discussion with a panel of invited guests:
Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Skills Minister
Sonia Sodha, Observer, Chief Leader Writer
Alan Woods, OBE, Co-Chair, Federation of Awarding Bodies
Katie Orr, TQUK
This week, Dr Jo Saxton, the Chief Regulator at Ofqual, makes her inaugural appearance on the Skills World Live Radio Show.
Presenter, Tom Bewick, interviewed the quango chief about four key issues:
The roll out of plans to tackle grade inflation as a result of the pandemic?
What lessons will be learned from the delay to some VTQ results this summer?
One year on from taking on the role, how is her ‘true north’ agenda going and what does it mean in practice for regulation?
How will the Skills Act and IfATE’s new role in approving qualifications avoid a bureaucratic nightmare?
This week, Dr Jo Saxton, the Chief Regulator at Ofqual, makes her inaugural appearance on the Skills World Live Radio Show.
Presenter, Tom Bewick, interviewed the quango chief about four key issues:
The roll out of plans to tackle grade inflation as a result of the pandemic?
What lessons will be learned from the delay to some VTQ results this summer?
One year on from taking on the role, how is her ‘true north’ agenda going and what does it mean in practice for regulation?
How will the Skills Act and IfATE’s new role in approving qualifications avoid a bureaucratic nightmare?
After a short break, the award winning Skills World Live Radio Show is back with its ‘on the road’ format of the podcast!
This week, we’re co-producing the show with Level BTEC Media Production students at Walsall College in the West Midlands. Sponsored by Pearson.
Themed, ‘Levelling-up through further education and skills in the West Midlands’, the students ask all the hard hitting questions of our panel. These include:
Is levelling up just a slogan?
Is free speech compatible with keeping students safe?
Should the government be axing BTEC qualifications?
Will lifelong learning ever become reality?
Presenter, Tom Bewick, is joined by his super informed panel of guests:
Sharon Blyfield OBE, Head of Early Careers, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Limited
Fiona Aldridge, Head of Insight and Intelligence – Economic Delivery, Skills and Communities, West Midlands Combined Authority
James Norris, Assistant Principal, Walsall College
Melissa Tisdale, Advanced Practitioner at Walsall College and FE Lecturer of the Year Winner
Check out our Christmas special of the programme (!) When Tom Bewick shared the presenter mic for the first time with the UK’s employment minister, Mims Davies MP.
Before entering Parliament, Mims was previously a local BBC radio DJ. So, the Skills World Live production team were honoured to record an episode with Mims, which was all about how the Department for Work and Pensions has been working to prevent a public health crisis from turning into a employment crisis during the pandemic.
On the back of better than expected employment figures (unemployment at 4.2%), including a record number of vacancies (1.2 million) in the British economy, Mims and Tom, interviewed guests who have been at the front line of delivering these impressive results.
After the successful FAB conference, where the programme aired two outside broadcasts, the Skills World Live Radio Show returns to its familiar surrounds of the livestream studio.
On this week’s show, Tom Bewick goes Head to Head with Lord Shipley, the chair of the House of Lords committee on youth unemployment. He explores the committee’s central recommendation to gear two thirds of all apprenticeships in future towards the under-25s.
Following committee stage and second reading of the Skills Bill in the House of Commons recently, Labour’s shadow minister for skills, Toby Perkins MP, chats with Tom about the latest developments of the passage of the legislation; and what Labour’s strategy will be for FE and qualifications at the next general election.
In the Final Take segment of the show, Tom talks to Gemma Creamer, a volunteer with the Beyond Trust non-profit that has a big vision to support the country’s 40,000 care leavers.
Tom himself grew up in care, so find out more as to why this is a subject so close to both his and Gemma’s hearts.
In this week’s show, Skills World Live presenter Tom Bewick, looks at the impact of the recent Budget and Spending Review for FE and skills.
The Department for Education says the three year settlement for FE will result in a 26 per cent real terms increase on levels invested in 2019.
However, analysis by the Learning and Work Institute has found that by 2025, spending will still be on average, £750 million less on FE than it was in 2010.
There is a special segment looking at the ongoing controversy of the Level 3 qualifications review, including analysis of education questions in the House of Commons on Monday; and later in the week, the appearance of the education secretary and DfE perm sec, at the Education Select Committee.
Featuring in this week’s episode:
Nadhim Zahawi MP, Secretary of State for Education
Susan Acland Hood, Perm Sec, DfE
Vera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat
Robert Halfon MP, chair of the Education Select Committee
Alun Francis, Principal of Oldham College and Deputy Chair, Social Mobility Commission
Stephen Evans, Chief executive, Learning and Work Institute
Welcome back to a brand new season of the Skills World Live Radio Show! Thank you for sticking with the number one podcast in FE.
In this episode, presenter, Tom Bewick, explores why we have a skills crisis in the UK and what can be done about it.
After all, you can’t read a newspaper or switch on a news channel at the moment without one story or another about supply chain shortages, caused by not enough HGV drivers, abattoir workers and even bricklayers.
The skills crisis comes at a time when various business lobby groups have been calling on government to relax immigration rules which will allow more overseas visas to be issued, now that the UK has ended unfettered immigration and free movement with the European Union.
In our Head to Head segment this week Tom talks to the former Labour Treasury minister and chief economist at the Institute of Directors, Kitty Usher. He is joined by Viren Patel, the Open University’s business development director, who has teamed up with the IoD to produce the Annual Business Barometer — a handy snapshot of employer sentiment on workforce skills.
In The Final Take this week, Tom talks to Baroness Fox of Buckley (Claire Fox) about the recent Battle of Ideas Festival in Westminister, organised by the Academy of Ideas; and her thoughts on the Skills Bill, which came back to the House of Lords this week at Report Stage.
We're now taking a short break for the half term and will return with episode 2 of the new season on the 5 November!
To end Season 3 of the radio show, I was delighted when Alun Francis, the principal and chief executive of Oldham College invited us to record the last episode of the series at the campus business centre which has recently been constructed. It was a real pleasure to have such close involvement with the college staff teams and wider student community.
The end result is a version of the show on tour, in front of a live audience. My panel included:
~ Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in Oldham
~ Susanna Lawson, Co-founder, and CEO of OneFile
~ Alun Francis, Oldham College’s Principal
With questions from:
~ Natalia Chudy, Level 3 Law student
~ Alexander Newton Hall, Level 3 Law student
~ Matthew Taylor, Level 3 Uniformed Public Services (UPS) student
~ Taylor Richardson, T Level Digital Production, Design and Development
What was great about this recording was getting a real appreciation, in just one local community, for the transformative power of further education. For the fact that FAB’s members, working with college tutors, are delivering literally hundreds of great qualification courses that are giving real life chances to young people. It includes, of course, the new T-Levels that will feature more prominently in FE from September 2023.
Crucially, we talked about the difficult issues in FE as well, like the fact equality and diversity debates need to move beyond the abstract and find more practical solutions.
I want to thank FE News and everyone for your support on this digital journey. And, above all, to say to those who are considering transforming your own digital delivery: don’t let your desire for innovation and change be drowned out by those miserable sceptics, who, let’s be honest, don’t like to see too much innovation and change, particularly when it roundly exposes their own mediocrity.
Season 4, with more innovations, will return in mid-October!
The #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show is back! In this 50-minute special the show’s presenter, Tom Bewick, asks the important question “Will the Spending Review deliver for FE?”.
After the news, Tom speaks to Rt Anne Milton the Former skills minister, Julian Gravatt from Association of Colleges and Luke Sebiata from the IFS for their views.
After an extended length interview Tom speaks to Emily Carver, Head of Media at the Institute of Economic Affairs.
During this week’s show, Presenter, Tom Bewick focusses on the Post-16 review of qualifications at Level 3 and the recent Skills for Success report from The Open University and Be the Business.
Tom kicks of the show with a 1-2-1 interview with Chief Executive of VTCT and Federation of Awarding Bodies co-chair, Alan Woods. Following on from the 1-2-1, Tom interviews guests:
Stewart Segal, Executive Director at Youth Employment UK
Catherine Winter, Managing Director, Financial Capability and Community Outreach at The London Institute of Banking & Finance
Katie Orr, Awarding Director at TQUK
In the final segment of the show, Tom speaks to Anthony Impey (Chief Executive of Be the Business), Jane Dickinson (Digital Skills Lead at The Open University) and Rich Bishop (Web Consultant Developer & SME ambassador) all about their recent report on supporting business leaders with digital adoption.
In our 13th episode of the third season, Tom Bewick dives into the Baker Clause and the current state of careers advice.
In the first 1-2-1 interview of the show, Tom interviews Ruth Gilbert, Honorary Fellow, UCL Institute of Education and Group Education Director at Qdos/Manor. In the first chat segment of the show Tom speaks to William Baldwin, Principal at Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College and former pupil, Gemma Creamer, who is a care leaver, aspiring barrister, recruitment specialist and student ambassador at Greenwich University.
In the final part of the show Tom interviews IMI’s (Institute of the Motor Industry) Chief Executive Officer, Steve Nash. Steve was Chairman of the IMI for five years, before becoming President in November 2009 and then CEO in 2013.
In today’s episode of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, Tom Bewick explores the future of qualifications and assessment with special guests.
After the news Tom interviews Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee, about learning loss, catch-up support in further education and the attainment gap of the white working class.
Following on from this interview Tom speaks to Professor Louise Hayward, Chair of the New Era Assessment Commission. The Commission brings together academics, parents, and students as well as the National Education Union, Chartered College of Teaching, the EDGE Foundation and the CBI. The Independent Assessment Commission (IAC) has Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Health and Well-being at its heart - a qualifications system that offers opportunities for every learner - different kinds of opportunities but opportunities.
In our final segment of the show Tom interviews Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK & Global Online Learning all about Pearson’s recent interim report titled: The Future of Qualifications and Assessment for 14-19 year olds.
In this week’s episode of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, Presenter Tom Bewick discusses all things green economy with a range of special guests.
Kicking off the show, Tom interviews Gordon Marsden, Former Labour MP for Blackpool South & Shadow Minister for Higher, Further Education and Skills, before leading our first chat segment between Andy Durman, Managing Director of Emsi UK and Candace Miller, Managing Director of SFJ Awards.
In our second chat segment of the show Tom speaks to Rachel Cooper, Strategy Director at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education before closing the show with a special interview with Judy Ling Wong CBE; Painter, Poet & Environmentalist.
After a two-week break, the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show is back for its tenth episode of the third series: Is it time to give all adults a universal skills account?
Presenter, Tom Bewick, kicks off the show with a 1-2-1 interview with City & Guilds Chief Executive, Kirstie Donnelly, before interviewing Dr Fiona Aldridge, Director for Policy & Research at Learning & Work Institute and Professor Martin Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Staffordshire University.
In the final chat segment of the show, Tom speaks to Laura Dodsworth, author of the Sunday Times Bestseller; A State of Fear: how the UK government weaponised fear during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the ninth episode of Series 3 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, we investigate the relationship between FE providers and the government. Presenter, Tom Bewick, begins the show with a special 1-2-1 interview with Lord Blunkett, 22 years on from his seminal Green Paper, the Learning Age.
In this episode Tom also leads three chat segments with a range of guests, first being Ian Pretty, Chief Executive at Collab Group.
In the second segment Tom interviews the following guests:
Sam Parrett, CEO and Group Principal at London South East Education Group
Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of HIT Training
Simon Bozzoli, Founder and CEO of LND Apprenticeships
In the final chat segment of the show Tom speaks to the Principal and Chief Executive of Oldham College, Alun Francis.
We’ll be taking a two-week break now and will return on Friday 11th June where we will look into whether it’s time to give all adults a universal skills account.
Presenter, Tom Bewick, kicks off episode 8 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show in a 1-2-1 interview with journalist, commentator, and author, David Goodhart.
Following on from the 1-2-1 Tom speaks to Jo Maher, Principal & CEO at Loughborough College and Safaraz Ali, co-founder & Head of Pathway Group.
In the final chat segment of the show Tom speaks to the show’s sponsor, OneFile’s Susanna Lawson and Neil Bentley-Gockmann, CEO of WorldSkills UK.
Presenter, Tom Bewick, kicks off episode 7 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show in conversation with David Gallagher, Chief Executive of NCFE.
In the first chat segment of the show Tom speaks to Simon Ashworth, Chief Policy Officer at AELP and Luke Sibieta, Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Later, in the show Tom speaks to Robin Landman OBE and Stella Mbubaegbu MBE from the Black FE Leadership Group.
The theme of today’s episode is based on @EDSKthinktank’s recent report: Re-assessing the future (Part 2).
Presenter, Tom Bewick, kicks off this week’s episode with a three-way debate between Jill Duffy, Chief Executive of OCR and Tom Richmond, Founder and Director of EDSK.
Following on from the debate, Tom leads a discussion between special guest’s Dr Amelia Peterson from LSE, Dr Peter Fidczuk, Development and Recognition Manager at The International Baccalaureate (IB) and Catherine Sezen, Senior Policy Manager at AoC.
Ending the show on a light hearted note, Tom speaks to Author, Marc Morris, all about his latest book: The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England.
In the fifth episode of the third series of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, Tom Bewick begins the show with an exclusive interview with interim Chief Regulator of Ofqual, Simon Lebus.
In the second and third chat segments of the show, Tom delves into the recent research from WorldSkills UK, Learning & Work Institute & Enginuity: Disconnected: Exploring the digital skills gap.
Tom speaks to special guests:
Emma Roberts, Head of Research & Public Affairs at WorldSkills UK
Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at the Learning & Work Institute
Lucy Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Enginuity Group
Dan McCabe, WorldSkills UK Competitor & Gold Medal Winner
After a two-week break for the Easter holidays, the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show returns for episode 4 as Tom Bewick discusses this summer’s exam results.
Kicking off the show with his first guests; John Cope and Mark Lehain, Tom discusses last year’s exams fiasco and what this year might hold.
In the second chat segment of the show Tom speaks to a regular guest on the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show; Cindy Rampersaud, Senior vice-president for BTECs and Apprenticeships at Pearson and we welcome a first time guest; Morag Davis, Assistant Principal for Technical Curriculum at Nelson and Colne College.
Joining us to close the show this week is teacher, singer, composer, and pianist; James Partridge. Tom speaks to James all about his time at Cambridge University, how he entered the world of teaching and his recent viral TikTok’s.
Make sure you watch until the end to see James perform his top 3 school assembly bangers!
In the third episode of Series 3 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, @TomBewick discusses all things @Zoom with special guests.
The show features a 1-2-1 interview with the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Kate Green MP, followed by a discussion between Tom, Susanna Lawson (OneFile) and Mike Blakeley (Exeter College).
In the second half of the show Tom will be speaking to Sharon Blyfield from Coca-Cola European Partners and Paul McGrail, Assistant Principal - Apprenticeships & Skills at Myerscough College.
Ending the show on a light hearted note, Tom will be speaking to farmer Dot McCarthy, owner of Cronkshaw Fold Farm in Lancashire, all about their newly added services since the pandemic; 'Goats on Zoom' and 'Goat with a note'.
In the second episode of Series 3 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show, Tom Bewick discusses lost learning during the pandemic and how our young people will recover.
The show begins with a 1-2-1 interview between Tom and Lord Baker, followed by a discussion on lost learning with Rod Bristow from Pearson, and Rae Tooth of Villiers Park Educational Trust.
In the second half of the show Tom speaks to apprentices Samantha and Rico all about their apprenticeship journey throughout the pandemic and to end the show Tom interviews Max Kendall, lead singer of 80s inspired London pop band; DECO.
The #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show is aired live every Friday at 10:30am on the Skills World Live Productions website.
In the first episode of Series 3 of the #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show Tom Bewick discusses whether the budget has delivered for the FE sector, with guests:
Kirstie Donnelly, City & Guilds
David Hughes, AoC
Sue Pember, Holex
David Gallagher, NCFE
The show kicks-off with an interview between Tom and Susanna Lawson, CEO and co-founder of the show's new sponsor; OneFile.
Plus, Tom leads a special 1-2-1 interview with internet sensation, Jackie Weaver!
The #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show is aired live every Friday at 10:30am on the Skills World Live Productions website
New Season of #SkillsWorldLIVE is out now!
The #SkillsWorldLive Radio Show is aired live every Friday at 10:30am on the Skills World Live Productions website.
Diversity in FE, what can be done about it? On #SkillsWorldLive tonight, guests include: Kirsti Lord | Calvin Robinson | Shola West | Robin Landman | Frank Douglas | Safaraz Ali | David Russell
discussing: Diversity in FE, what can be done about it?
On #SkillsWorldLive tonight, guests include: Mims Davies | Sue Pember | Martin Doel | Sam Parrett | Fiona Chalk | Amanda Melton are discussing: Part 2. Future of FE: what do college leaders and Governors think?
SkillsWorldLive 2.10: Thursday 26th November 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Mims Davies, Employment Minister
Sue Pember - Director of Policy and External Relations at Holex
Martin Doel - UCL Visiting Professor, ifate numerous roles and Governor at Cambridge Regional College
Sam Parrett - Principal and CEO at London South East Colleges
Fiona Chalk - ETF - National Head of Governance Development
Amanda Melton, CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group and Commissioner for College of the Future
Future of FE: What do ITP leaders think?
SkillsWorldLive 2.9: Thursday 5th November 2020
On #SkillsWorldLive tonight, guests include: Mark Dawe | Susanna Lawson | Jill Whittaker | Sean Cosgrove | Martin Hottass | Simon Ashworth are discussing the Future of FE: What do ITP leaders think?
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Mark Dawe, Chief Executive at Association of Employment and Learning Providers
Susanna Lawson, CEO and co-founder at Onefile Ltd
Jill Whittaker, MD at HIT (Hospitality Industry Training)
Sean Cosgrove, Chief Commercial Officer at Lifetime Training Ltd
Martin Hottass, Managing Director of City & Guilds
Simon Ashworth, Chief Policy Officer at Association of Employment and Learning Providers
On #SkillsWorldLive tonight, guests: Glenys Stacey | Steven Cooper | Carl Ward | Helen Barnard | Alun Francis | Elena Magrini | Rebecca Conway are discussing Levelling up: from rhetoric to reality?
SkillsWorldLive 2.8: Thursday 29th October 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Glenys Stacey- Chief Executive and Chief Regulator, Ofqual
Steven Cooper - Commissioner, Social Mobility Commission
Carl Ward - Executive Chairman at Foundation for Education Development
Helen Barnard - Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Alun Francis, Principal and Chief Executive, Oldham College
Elena Magrini - Analyst at Centre for Cities
Rebecca Conway - Head of Policy and Strategy, Federation of Awarding Bodies
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
On #SkillsWorldLive tonight, guests include: David Hughes | Dr Ann Limb | Laura-Jane Rawlings | Rachel Cunliffe are discussing: "Are we doing enough for disadvantaged learners?"
SkillsWorldLive 2.7: Thursday 22nd October 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
David Hughes CEO at Association of Colleges
Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Founder of the Helena Kennedy Foundation
Laura-Jane Rawlings - Youth Employment UK
Rae Tooth, CEO at Villiers Park Educational Trust
Rachel Cunliffe, City AM Limited
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Lord Ken Baker | Alistair McConville | Bill Watkin | Sally Dicketts | Professor Bill Lucas | Charlotte Bosworth
SkillsWorldLive 2.6: Thursday 15th October 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Lord Ken Baker, UK Parliment, Member of House of Lords
Alistair McConville, Director of Learning and Innovation at Bedales School
Bill Watkin, CEO, Sixth Form Colleges’ Association
Sally Dicketts, Chief Executive at Activate Learning
Professor Bill Lucas, Professor of Learning and Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning
Charlotte Bosworth, MD at Innovate Awarding
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Kirstie Donnelly | David Gallagher | Julie Mills | Shola West | Mark Corney
SkillsWorldLive 2.5: Thursday 8th October 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Kirstie Donnelly - City & Guilds
David Gallagher - NCFE
Julie Mills - Milton Keynes College
Shola West - WhiteHat Apprentice BAME network
Mark Corney
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Ella Whelan | Tom Richmond | Anthony Impey | Simon Ashworth | David Hughes | Ann Franke
SkillsWorldLive 2.3: Thursday 24th September 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Ella Whelan, author of What Women Want
Tom Richmond, Founder and Director at EDSK
Anthony Impey, Founder at Optimity Ltd
Simon Ashworth, Chief Policy Officer at Association of Employment and Learning Providers
David Hughes, CEO at Association of Colleges
Ann Franke, Chief Executive at Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Estelle Morris | David Goodhart | Sally Dicketts | Andy Durman | Dave Coplin | Stephen Evans
Will the COVID workplace ever be the same again? Episode 2, Season 2, 17th September
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLive is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Estelle Morris, UK Parliament
David Goodhart
Sally Dicketts, Chief Executive at Activate Learning
Andy Durman, Managing Director at Economic Modelling Specialists Intl. (EMSI)
Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer at The Envisioners
Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
The Summer Exams Fiasco, what on Earth Happened? #SkillsWorldLive 2.1: Thursday 10th September 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's Guests:
Rae Tooth, CEO at Villiers Park Educational Trust
Mark Lehain, Director at Campaign for Common Sense
David Price OBE, Author and Educationalist
Amarjit Basi, Founding Member at Black FE Leadership Group (BFLG)
Robert Halfon, Chair of the Education Select Committee
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLive @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLive and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Dr Gill Wyness | Gillian Keegan MP | Robert Halfon MP | Ken Skates AM | Rt Hon Charles Clarke | Rt Hon Anne Milton | Kirstie Donnelly MBE | Frank Douglas | Euan Blair | Baroness Claire Fox | Philip Augar | Mark Dawe | David Hughes | Nick Hilman | Dave Coplin | Andy Durman
SkillsWorldLIVE Summer Season Highlights: Monday 3rd August 2020
The highlights of this Summer Season, we will be back in September 2020!
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Claire Fox, Academy of Ideas |Sharon Byfield, Coca Cola | Nick Hillman, HEPI | Elena Magrini, Centre for Cities | Chris Kirk, Open Classroom | Nazrene Mannie, GAN | Susanna Lawson, OneFile |
Weekly Show 5: #SkillsWorldLIVE Season Finale! What lessons has the FE and the skills sector learnt so far about dealing with Covid-19? #SkillsWorldLIVE - Thursday 9th July 2020
The last episode of this Summer Season, we will be back in September 2020!
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm Thursdays during term time and subscribe here for notifications!
StandUpForSkills Kirstie Donnelly and Robert Halfon discuss the new City & Guilds Recovery and Resilience report
Tonight's guests include: Gillian Keegan, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister | Anne Milton, Former Skills Minister | David Corke, Director of Education & Skills Policy at AoC | Fiona Aldridge, Director for Policy and Research at Learning and Work Institute | Simon Ashworth, Chief Policy Officer, AELP
Weekly Show 3: #SkillsWorldLIVE - Thursday 25th June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm Thursdays during term time and subscribe here for notifications!
EXCLUSIVE: Minister, Gillian Keegan MP tells FE News #SkillsWorldLive why the FE sector didn’t get a share of the £1 billion coronavirus learner catch-up scheme last week.
Tonight's guests include: Steven Cooper, Social Mobility Commissioner & Ex Chief Executive Officer of Barclaycard Business | Professor Lee Elliot-Major OBE, Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter | Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, Pearson BTEC and Apprenticeship | Helen Barnard, Acting Director of Joseph Rowntree Foundation | Palvinder Singh, Group Deputy Principal, Finance Planning & Business, Curriculum Development at NCG, Kidderminster College | #StandUpForSkills with Kirstie Donnelly, CEO of City & Guilds | Frank Douglas, Non-Executive Director, City & Guilds Group and CEO of Caerus Executive
Weekly Show 2: Has the cause of Social Mobility been put back by a generation? #SkillsWorldLIVE - Thursday 18th June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm Thursdays during term time and subscribe here for notifications!
StandUpForSkills with Frank Douglas, Non-Executive Director, City & Guilds Group and CEO of Caerus Executive #SkillsWorldLIVE Weekly Show 2
Tonight's guests include: Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee | Richard Marsh, Apprenticeship Partnerships Director at Kaplan | Angela Middleton MBE, Chairman & CEO of The Limitless Group, host of the “IWant2BA” podcast and author of the “1st Job” Book Series | David Goodhart, Head of Demography, Immigration & Integration & Director of the Integration Hub at Policy Exchange | Dr.Sue Pember CBE, Director of Policy and External Relations at Holex | #StandUp4Skills with Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive at City & Guilds | Laura Jane Rawlings, Founder & CEO of Youth Employment UK | Alex Morawski, Young Board Member of the Youth Futures Foundation and is currently a part of the Youth Voice Team supporting the Youth Employment Group
Weekly Show 1: #SkillsWorldLIVE - Thursday 11th June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm Thursdays during term time and subscribe here for notifications!
It's clear, and anybody who has lived through any economic disruption will know, young people are particularly at risk, and it is vital that we give them full support.
I think what the prime minister knows, as we all know here in the Department for Education, is apprenticeships are a great route into the workplace. Of course, they have the advantage of you're working straight away as well, you're being productive, you're adding something to the economy, as well as gaining vital skills.
We're looking to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from this route, and obviously working out ways that we can support employers to encourage more apprenticeships, etc. We're still working through a whole series of options and proposals, but it's vital that we support young people during this time.
Both the prime minister and myself, particularly as I used the apprenticeship route myself, think it's an absolutely brilliant way into your career.
Tonight's guests include: Extended interview with Gillian Keegan - Apprenticeship and Skills Minister | Anthony Impey, Founder & Non-Executive Director at Optimity & Chair of Big Ideas Group at FSB | Elizabeth Taylor, Chief Executive of ERSA | Paul Sissons, Reader in Employment Studies at Coventry University | Dexter Hutchings, Co-founder of The Apprentice Voice | Tim Bennett-Hart, Director of Academic at RSL Awards
Episode 29: Preparing for the new normal a sector wide viewpoint #SkillsWorldLIVE - Friday 5th June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Paul Eeles, Chief Executive at Skills and Education Group | Mike Thompson, Managing Partner at Gen Healthy Minds Ltd | Ian Pryce, Chief Executive of Bedford College | Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of VTCT | #StandUpForSkills with Kirstie Donnelly, City & Guilds | Stella Ziolkowski, Director of Quality and Workforce Development at National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) | Emily Tang, Apprentice who has worked at a Co-Op Nursery throughout the pandemic.
Episode 27: How do we ensure the safety and well being of staff and students? and #StandUpForSkills #SkillsWorldLIVE -Thursday 4th June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Nazrene Mannie, Executive Director at GAN Global | Vickie Dekocker - Director Innovation and Secretary Partnership Duallearning | Paola Cleri, Coordinator GAN Argentina | Mardy L. Leathers, Director, Office of Workforce Development, State of Missouri | Rachel Unruh, Chief of External Affairs at National Skills Coalition
Episode 27: How are other countries skills systems battling the pandemic? #SkillsWorldLIVE Wednesday 3rd June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Professor Ewart Keep, Department of Education, Oxford University | Amanda Melton, CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group and Commissioner for the 4 Nations College of the Future | David Jones OBE, ex-CEO of Coleg Cambria | Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Former Principal of Belfast Metropolitan College | Jamie Smith, Executive Chairman, C Learning | Norman Crowther, National Official for Post 16 Education NEU | Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, Pearson
Episode 25: What does the FE College of the Future look like?
SkillsWorldLIVE Monday 1st June 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tonight's guests include: Sir David King - Former Chief Medical Officer & Chair of the Independent SAGE | Sam Parrett - London South East Colleges | Ben Brennan - Assistant Principal & Head of Sixth Form, The Hart School | Nichola Hay - CEO Estio Training | Leigh Powell - UNISON Official in Education and Children's Services who leads on Further Education | Juliana Mohamad Noor – Vice President Further Education, NUS
Episode 24: Covid Secure: Is it safe for pupils to go back to school? Friday 29th May
Independent SAGE report on Should Schools Reopen?
Government failing to follow advice of own SAGE group in opening schools June 1, says Independent SAGE: Government must explore non-school alternatives for children over summer holidays led by community workers and volunteers including the use of… https://t.co/dpEQLMP5Si pic.twitter.com/cpOUCE8y1s
— FE News - The #FutureofEducation News Channel (@FENews) May 28, 2020
The scientific papers on school safety from the committee of independent scientists chaired by Sir David King was published on 22 May with the full report relating to the reopening of schools released yesterday (28 May). Read the sector response here.
In a statement for the #SkillsWorldLIVE programme tonight, on the wider opening of education settings, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic our decisions have been based on the best scientific and medical advice, with the welfare of children and staff at the heart of all considerations.
“The Prime Minister has announced that the Government’s five tests have been met, and based on all the evidence we will now move forward with our plan for a phased and cautious return of a limited number of pupils to primary schools and early years settings from Monday, and students in years 10 and 12 two weeks later.
“This marks the first step in getting all children and young people back into classrooms so they can be with their friends and teachers again, and I’m enormously grateful for all the planning and preparation the sector has done in the lead up to welcoming these first pupils back.”
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International | Neil Bentley-Gockmann, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK | Simon Bartley, Honary President WorldSkills | #StandUpForSkills : Skills training in prisons; how can we limit the impact of a halted provision on prisoners, prison-leavers, and the need to reduce reoffending? | Kirstie Donnelly, Chief Executive, City & Guilds | Fran Findlater, Founder of Bounce Back.
Episode 23: What will happen to WorldSkills Competitions in the post Covid World? and #StandupForSkills: Skills training in prisons; how can we limit the impact of a halted provision on prisoners, prison-leavers, and the need to reduce reoffending? #SkillsWorldLIVE Thursday 28th May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
SkillsWorldLIVE interview with David Hoey, CEO WorldSkills International. David chats with Tom Bewick, CEO of the Federation of Awarding Bodies about the impact on Covid-19 on future skills competitions, about the potential for the UK to host WorldSkills in the future and the UK's Centre of Excellence.
Tonight's guests include: Philip Augar, Former chair of government’s post 18 education panel | David Gallagher, NCFE | Chris Hale, Director of Policy - UUK | Kirstie Donnelly, City & Guilds | Nick Hillman, HEPI
Episode 22: One Year on from Augar, will it happen? #SkillsWorldLIVE Wednesday 27th May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Careers Advice and Guidance, is it fit for purpose? Episode 21: #SkillsWorldLIVE
Tonight's guests include: John Yarham, Interim CEO Careers and Enterprise Company | Steve Stewart, OBE - Careers England | Carolyn Parry FRSA, RCDP - Founder Director and Lead Coach at Career Alchemy | Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, DMH Associates | Chris Webb, Employability Adviser at Sheffield Hallam
Tonight's guests include: Paul Grainger, Co-director of the Centre for Education and Work, UCL | Jamie Smith, C-Learning | Andy Durman, Emsi UK | Dave Coplin, The Envisioners | Rebecca Garrod-Waters, Ufi Charitable Trust | Ryan Craig, University Ventures & Author
Episode 20: How will COVID-19 impact the skills needed for the fourth industrial revolution? Fri 22nd May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Should there be a Youth Guarantee? Episode 19: #SkillsWorldLIVE.
Ken Skates MS Minister for Economy and Transport Minister for North Wales talks to Tom Bewick for #SkillsWorldLIVE
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Ken Skates MS Minister for Economy and Transport Minister for North Wales | Fiona Aldridge, Director of Policy and Research at Learning and Work Institute | Elizabeth Taylor, Chief Executive, ERSA | Tony Wilson, Director of the Institute for Employment Studies | Tracy Fishwick OBE, Managing Director, Transform Lives | #StandUpForSkills | Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive Officer City & Guilds Group | Olivia Freedman, Apprentice at Tempest Resourcing
Episode 19: Should there be a Youth Guarantee? Thurs 21st May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
News Bulletin:
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Gillian Keegan, speaks to Tom Bewick for #SkillsWorldLIVE on National Thank a Teacher Day about Apprenticeship Reforms and Quality
Tonight's guests include: Gillian Keegan, Apprenticeship and Skills Minister | Rob Nitsch, Chief Operating Officer at the Institute | Mark Armitage, Head of Membership Products & Services at IMI | Louise Doyle, Co-founder of MESMA | Tracey Matthews, Head of Apprenticeships - Milton Keynes College | Mark Dawe, CEO Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP)
Episode 18: Thank a Teacher Day - What is the future of funding and quality for Apprenticeships? Weds 20th May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
onight's guests include: David Hughes, CEO at AoC | Ian Pretty, CEO Collab Group | Andy Westwood, Vice Dean Social Responsibility, Faculty of Humanities, University of Manchester | Professor Martin Doel CBE, Interim Chair at Highbury College | Jo Maher, Principal & CEO Loughborough College
Episode 17: Will the FE Whitepaper result in the nationalisation of Colleges? Tues 19th May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
News Bulletin:
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tonight's guests include: Jonathan Boys, Director of Insight and Evidence at Federation for Industry Sector Skills & Standards (FISSS) | Professor Martin Jones, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Staffordshire University | Sally Dicketts CBE, Group Chief Executive at Activate Learning | Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, Pearson BTEC and Apprenticeship | Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute.
Episode 16: How do we get Britain Training? Mon 18th May 2020
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Eluned Parrott - Unite Foundation Director, Unite Students | Dexter Hutchings - Co-Founder at The Apprentice Voice | Louis Curtis - The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Apprentice Panel Representative and Mineral Products Technology Higher Apprenticeship at University of Derby | Lewis Boyle - Painting & Decorating Apprentice at Leeds College of Building | Abigayle Johnson - Painting & Decorating Apprentice at Leeds College of Building | Euan Blair - CEO and Co-Founder at WhiteHat | Gafar Fashola - Apprentice Leader at WhiteHat
Episode 15: Are Apprentices and Students getting a good deal? Fri 15th May
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Hetan Shah - Chief Executive at The British Academy | Dr Julie Mills CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College | Robin Millar CBE - Director, Institute for Apprenticeships | Nick Ellins - Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills Group | Mo Lovett - Writer & Researcher Specialising in Arts & Culture
Robin Millar CBE is also Chairman, Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group, Global Ambassador, Leonard Cheshire and Record Producer for Sade, Sting, and Eric Clapton.
Episode 14: In the future will the british economy rely on having more scientist or creatives - Weds 13 May
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
News Bulletin:
~Unions set out five tests government and colleges must meet before staff and students can return
~1 in 4 Teachers Have Been Placed On Furlough Or Had Their Contracts Cancelled
~Uxbridge College supports carers with donations and gifts
Tonight's guests include: Kathleen Henehan - Research and Policy Analyst at Resolution Foundation | Stephen Isherwood - Chief Executive at Institute of Student Employers (ISE) | Charlie Ball - Head of higher education intelligence at Prospects | Louise Woodruff - Policy and Partnerships Manager (Work) at Joseph Rowntree Foundation | Paul Convery - Councillor at London Borough of Islington
Episode 13: Will Youth Unemployment hit 50% post COVID-19? Tues 12 May
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: David Corke - Director of Education and Skills Policy at AoC | Bob Harrison - Chair of Governors at Northern College for Adults | Sam Blyth - Senior Director at Instructure | Shaun Hope - Assistant Principal Curriculum & Standards at Hartlepool College of Further Education | Kirstie Donnelly MBE - Chief Executive Officer at City & Guilds Group
Episode 12: "Why bother teaching face-to-face, if online teaching is just as successful?" Mon 11 May
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Kirsty Williams - Welsh Education Secretary | Angela Middleton MBE - Founder & Owner at MiddletonMurray Group | Paige Harrison - Counsellor and Wellbeing Coordinator at Stoke on Trent College | Guglielmo Ventura - Research Assistant CVER in Education and Skills at London School of Economics | Dr Rebecca Conway - Head of Policy and Strategy at Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)
Episode 11: What should the priorities be for the Skills Sector? Thurs 7 May
Tonight's guests include: Layla Moran MP - Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson | Carole Willis - Chief Executive, National Foundation for Educational Research | Isa Mutlib - CEO, BAME Apprenticeship Alliance | Russell Hobby - CEO, Teach First | Sarfraz Ahmed - Careers Adviser at Leicester College
Episode 10: How will Covid-19 widened the disadvantage and attainment gap? Wed 6 May
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Dr Sue Pember OBE - Director of Policy and External Relations at Holex | David Hughes - CEO at Association of Colleges | David Gallagher - MD at NCFE | Paul Eeles - Chief Executive at Skills and Education Group
Episode 9: How do we prepare for September's "New Normal"? Tue 5 May 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Talking to Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, for #SkillsWorld LIVE Episode 8: Starts falling for Apprenticeships: What's all the fuss about? Gillian Keegan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, express her concerns over the impact of COVID-19 on apprenticeships.
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Gillian Keegan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills | Toby Perkins - Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning | Richard Marsh - Apprenticeship Partnership Director at Kaplan | Guglielmo Ventura - Research Assistant for CVER Education and Skills at London School of Economics | Bob Lerman - Institute fellow in the Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population at the Urban Institute
Episode 8: Starts falling for Apprenticeships: What's all the fuss about? Mon 4 May 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Don't miss Episode 9: How do we prepare for September's "New Normal"? Tue 5 May
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include: Charles Clarke - Author and former home secretary | Claire Fox - Academy of Ideas | Nick Hillman - Director at Hepi | Sonia Riyait - Careers Advisor at Leicester College | Steve Stewart - Executive Director at Careers England | Dr Ann Limb CBE
Episode 7: Should we abolish the target of sending 50% of young people to university? Fri 1 May 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Clare Hatton Head of Skills Delivery at West Midlands Combined Authority | Lawrence Barton - Managing Director at GB Training (UK) Ltd | Jamie Mackay Skills Strategy Manager at Enterprise M3 | Kirstie Donnelly MBE - Chief Executive Officer at City & Guilds Group | Jane Hadfield - National Senior Programme Manager of Apprenticeships at NHS Health Education England
Episode 6: Are we training enough people for our NHS? - 30th April 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Tonight's guests include: Tom Richmond - Founder and Director @EDSKthinktank | Kelle McQuade - End-Point Assessment Director at Training Qualifications UK | Tom Burton - Director of Apprenticeships at NOCN | Charlotte Bosworth - MD at Innovate Awarding | Rob Thakur, Managing Director, Europe at Fitch Learning
Episode 5: Are too many apprenticeships in England low quality? - 29th April 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
News Bulletin:
Gavin Williamson confirms that schools and colleges will not be returning during the summer holidays
ESFA Update: 29 April 2020
East Sussex College is caring for the carers
Don't miss Episode 6: Are we training enough people for our NHS?
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorld @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Tonight's guests include:
Catherine Sezen - Senior Policy Manager FE at Association of Colleges
Jenifer Burden - Director of Programmes at The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
Dr Paul Phillips CBE - Principal at Weston College
Andrew Kaye - Principal and CEO at Fareham College
Julie Hyde - Executive Director Education and Training Strategy at NCFE and CACHE
Episode 4: Would it be better to delay T-Levels by a year? - 24th April 7-8pm (BST)
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
News Bulletin:
Simplify the Ofqual application process for End-point Assessment Organisations without impacting quality
Bowled Over: Alex’s Cricket Journey
Don't miss Episode 5: Are too many apprenticeships in England low quality?
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorld @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Episode 3: When should the schools reopen? - 24th April 7-8pm (BST)
Tonight's guests include:
Kevin Rooney - Teacher and Author
Sharon Eeles - Head Teacher at Osborne Nursery School
Jerry Glazier - National Executive Member at National Education Union
Garry Ratcliffe - Chief Executive Officer at The Galaxy Trust
Matt Hood - Principal at Oak National Academy
News Bulletin:
Education Committee question Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman
Derby College Group Is Forging Ahead With Adapting Work Spaces For New T Level Programmes This September
Bake-Off Star Lends Her Support To FE Foodbank Friday
Don't miss Episode 4: When should the schools reopen?
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorld @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Tune in to #SkillsWorldLIVE 7-8pm on Weekdays, Monday to Friday and subscribe here for notifications!
Contact us at #SkillsWorld LIVE
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorld @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of @AwardingBodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorldLIVE is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Episode 2: Should the skills sector get its own bailout? - 24th April 7-8pm (BST)
Tonight's guests include:
Stewart Segal - Chair at Youth Employment UK CIC
Terry Fennell - Chief Executive and Responsible Officer at FDQ
Matt Garvey - Managing Director at West Berkshire Training Consortium
Dr Sam Parrett OBE - Principal and CEO at London South East Colleges
Songs include: Daxten, Wai - WHOLEHEARTED (INSTRUMENTAL VERSION), Tomas Skyldeberg - THE REASON WHY I SHINE, Lionel Quick - THEY CALLED HER CINNAMON, Jones Meadow - ENZO
Don't miss Episode 3: When should the schools reopen?
We are looking for industry experts to get involved with the debate, and to offer their views, advice and recommendations to help support the education sector at this time of disruption and change.
If you are keen to get involved, or you know others that are, please let us know, and send your questions and comments to:
Email: skillsworld@fenews.co.uk
Call: 020 32 900 111
Twitter: #SkillsWorldLIVE @FENews
Please let us know if there is an important topic you would like to debate that we haven’t included yet!
In an interview for Episode 1 of #SkillsWorldLIVE Dr Gill Wyness, Associate Professor in Economics of Education, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) at University College London reveals the findings from her research as she answers the question "Is the calculated grades approach to summer examinations fair on students?"
Episode 1: Is the calculated grades approach to summer examinations fair on students? - 23rd April
Guests include:
Dr Gill Wyness, Associate Professor in Economics of Education, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) at University College London
Dr Fiona Summers, Head of Quality and Assessment at YMCA Awards
Dr Rebecca Conway, Head of Policy and Strategy at Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)
Mardy Leathers, Director, Office of Workforce Development at State of Missouri
Lucy Dunleavy, CEO & Founder at LearnBox
Lucy Hunte, National Programme Manager – Apprenticeships at NHS Health Education England
Songs include: Walking a tightrope – Mindme with Mia Pfirrman and Tired of Waiting, Hallman
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Federation of Awarding Bodies, Tom Bewick, #SkillsWorld Live is a new radio show that builds on the popular #SkillsWorld podcast series, where Tom interviews leading figures shaping the post-compulsory education and skills systems, including apprenticeships in the UK, and across the world.
Songs include: Walking a tightrope - Mindme with Mia Pfirrman, Tired of Waiting - Hallman, Celebration of Life - Tomas Skyldeberg, Help you let it go - Deanz feat. Andy Delos Santos, and Makes me feel - Alex Dovo
SkillsWorld presenter and FAB chief executive, Tom Bewick, explores the question with a university student and a functional skills teacher.
Interviewing Jhanelle White, a student at Kings College London, and Gareth Sturdy, a functional skills teacher with training provider, LHAA, Tom explores the world of SATs, GCSE choices, the value of university degrees, duff careers advice and whether mountains of graduate debt is really worth it, particularly when so many young people end up doing non-graduate jobs.
Speaking in a personal capacity, these guests were interviewed at the Barbican Theatre in London, where they were participating in the Battle of Ideas Festival (October 2019). Two education sessions were sponsored by the Federation of Awarding Bodies, which included contributions from Baroness Alison Wolf, Kirstie Donnely MBE, of City and Guilds; and Rob Nitsch of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
This podcast episode looks at the fact, for the first time in human history, there are five generations employed in the workforce — from baby-boomers to Millennials.
There appears to be so much more pressure these days on young people to “succeed”, especially in terms of getting good grades at school, securing a place at university and finding a decent job upon graduation that pays the bills… Or perhaps that has, until now, been the only version of the “British Dream.”
Jhanelle, from a working-class background in the Midlands, explains that she had always wanted to go to university because she knew that was the best route to become a scientist. In this regard: “the only option that seems best for young people is the A-Level route” she says.
On the issue of graduate debt, Jhanelle doesn’t feel that fees should necessarily be a barrier for those from poorer backgrounds: “I will probably graduate with £70k of student debt with 6% interest added on each year, but I see my education as an investment and [if I don’t earn enough] I will probably never have to pay the loans back”, she said.
Gareth, who teaches functional skills to hairdressing apprentices, comments: “Technical fixes to the current system is not in itself going to produce more educated and skilled people. If the content of courses is not correct or educative… then you will still find that there are qualifications, like some degree courses, that don’t add up to the value that they profess to be… It is why I am quite excited about some of the innovations that are taking place in apprenticeships.”
Asked whether she would take the degree apprenticeships option if it were now available to her, Jhanelle said: “Degree apprenticeships are still not perceived as the same value [as ordinary degrees]”. For Jhanelle, going to university was as much about the “cultural experience” it gave her and the “signals” this sent to her peers and future employers, about the "kind of education" she had received.
In this second episode, recorded with keynote speakers at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Annual Conference, #SkillsWorld presenter and FAB Chief Executive, Tom Bewick, speaks to Sharon Blyfield, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd. and Lucy Hunte, National Programme Manager — Apprenticeships, at Health Education England, (NHS).
Listen to the full discussion here:
The podcast explores what it is like for two large Apprenticeship Levy Paying employers to work with England’s skills-system: colleges, training providers, awarding organisations and government bodies. Sharon and Lucy give a frank assessment of the apprenticeship reforms and make suggestions of how the Levy could be improved for both large and small employers in future.
The NHS in England employs 1.2 million staff. Each NHS Trust, which operate as quasi-autonomous business units, can employ up to 15,000 people in a particular geographic area. The Apprenticeship Levy paid by NHS England is in excess of £200 million. Meanwhile, the iconic brand, Coca Cola, employs over 4000 staff in the UK. Both these major employers — public and private — have a huge stake in ensuring that the country's education and skills system works efficiently and effectively.
Commenting on the current system, Sharon Blyfield, said:
“It can be a minefield…. We rely on training providers to tell us what is the right qualification. With that comes its own set of challenges. Because we will always question: why is this the right qualification? What is it going to give Coca Cola? What is it going to deliver for the individual and why do they need that particular qualification?”
Lucy Hunte added:
“I cannot understand why IfATE is not allowing entry-level apprenticeship roles like Level 2 in Business Administration, unless it is because they know the numbers will be huge, meaning less surplus Levy to use.”
On quality assurance of apprenticeships, the current system of multiple regulators checking on quality was described as “ludicrous”. Both representatives of these large employers said they would support a “single overarching body” for quality assurance of apprenticeships.
On SkillsWorld this week, Tom Bewick speaks to Professor Martin Doel OBE CBE of University College London.
Many listeners will be familiar with Martin’s work when he was chief executive of the Association of Colleges — a role he held between 2008 and 2015.
Tom caught up with Martin before he gave a major keynote speech to the Federation of Awarding Bodies annual conference in October 2019.
During the podcast interview, Professor Doel confides:
“There were times at the AOC when it felt like we were there to make the world less worse…. It was at the time of the worst financial entrenchment in our nation’s [peacetime] history, since the mid-1930s. Despite this, by the time I walked away from it in 2015, the Spending Review had help stabilise the sector, albeit at a funding level that is too low."
Looking ahead to the challenges of FE and technical education, he says:
“We ensured a focus on technical and professional education that had not been in the system hitherto…. There will be more money and attention on FE in the future…. [But] there will need to be a more interventionist approach to skills development because of external factors like Brexit, and the shift from fixed assets in the economy to more intangible assets…. In a post-market economy in FE, you do need to liberate both innovation and enterprise at the delivery level.”
In the latest episode of #SkillsWorld, Tom Bewick, visits Northern Ireland.
He interviews Martin Flynn, chef executive officer, OCN Northern Ireland; and Chair of FAB's Forum in Northern Ireland.
“What we’re finding is that a lot of awarding bodies are withdrawing their presence and qualifications from the market in Northern Ireland.”
“We need to ensure that there is no market failure in technical, vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.”
Martin Flynn pointed out that reforms and potential changes to technical education in England are having an adverse impact on the availability of professional qualifications in Northern Ireland. He cited the hospitality apprenticeship as one example of where a number of awarding organisations had initially been interested in developing the qualification for accreditation by the qualifications regulator, CCEA, but had subsequently pulled out.
Listen to this podcast to learn about what practical steps the awarding bodies, CCEA and government departments are taking to ensure a healthy marketplace for qualifications in Northern Ireland. Tom also discussed with Martin what a Northern Ireland skills strategy might look like.
6 years on since the publication of the Richard Review, which ushered in a new approach to developing and delivering apprenticeships, Tom interviews Chinara Rustamova, Senior Policy Advisor Education and Skills, Federation of Small Businesses; and Charlotte Bosworth, Managing Director, Innovate Awarding / Chair, End-Point Assessment Operational Group, Federation of Awarding Bodies.
Apprenticeship starts have plummeted by around 20 per cent since the introduction of the Levy and new Standards. Non-Levy small businesses are struggling to access funding for the apprenticeship slots that they are prepared to offer.
“Providing 20 per cent off the job training is a real challenge for small businesses… We need to sort the looming challenge of the funding issue”, according to Chinara Rustamova, who authored the FSB’s report, ‘Fit for the Future: Making the Apprenticeship System Work for Small Businesses’.
On the challenges faced by end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs), Charlotte Bosworth said: “We need to come together, employers, providers, EPAOs — to come up with a better, more collaborative approach, to delivering high-quality apprenticeships."
Topics covered include:
~The barriers faced by small firms taking on apprentices
~The collapse of 16-24 year old apprentices and what can be done about it
~Controversy about Level 2 business administration apprenticeships no longer being available
~Whether it is immoral to allow senior managers to access the Apprenticeship Levy to pay for Management degrees
~The future of the Levy
~What is required to make a success of the end-point assessment model
~Views from small businesses about the government’s new T-Level programme and awareness levels
In this episode of #SkillsWorld, Tom Bewick caught up with Sir John Dunford, former Chair of the Independent Commission on Examination Malpractice.
Candidate malpractice affects around 0.02% of UK-based examinations each year, representing a tiny proportion of certificates awarded. However, the impact of malpractice is "disproportionately damaging” on the reputation of awarding bodies and exam boards; as well as undermining public confidence in the system as a whole.
Sir John said that tabloid headlines about banning smart watches from examination halls had glossed over some of the other significant recommendations of his report. These included the need for all awarding bodies, large and small, to adopt measures to tackle malpractice at source. “Prevention is better than cure”, he said. Vocational and technical awarding bodies, including centres, are just as subject to the recommendations of the Commission as the academic boards.
Download the report here: http://www.jcq.org.uk/Download/media-centre/news-releases/report-of-the-independent-commission-on-malpractice
Former education secretary says current reforms in technical education ‘living miles in the past'
StandUpForSkills with Frank Douglas, Non-Executive Director, City & Guilds Group and CEO of Caerus Executive #SkillsWorldLIVE Weekly Show 2
The Augar Post 18 Review is a review of post-18 education and funding in England.
The independent panel was led by Dr. Philip Augar (the official report can be found here). This has been a highly anticipated review and is a massive 216 page document, chocked full of recommendations and findings. So we thought it could be helpful to break up the relevant sections and highlight the key recommendations from the Augar review findings for you.
The Post 18 Review is split into eight sections, Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills, Chapter 4 to Further Education and Chapter 5 to Apprenticeships. The recommendations from the Augar review are listed below:
Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills:
Recommendation 2.1
The government should introduce a single lifelong learning loan allowance for tuition loans at Levels 4, 5 and 6, available for adults aged 18 or over, without a publicly funded degree. This should be set, as it is now, as a financial amount equivalent to four years’ full-time undergraduate degree funding.
Recommendation 2.2
Learners should be able to access student finance for tuition fee and maintenance support for modules of credit-based Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications.
Recommendation 2.3
ELQ rules should be scrapped for those taking out loans for Levels 4, 5 and 6.
Recommendation 2.4
Institutions should award at least one interim qualification to all students who are following a Level 6 course successfully.
Recommendation 2.5
Streamline the number and improve the status of Level 4/5 qualifications.
Recommendation 2.6
The OfS should become the national regulator of all non-apprenticeship provision at Levels 4 and above.
Recommendation 2.7
Government should provide additional support and capital funding to specific FE colleges in order to ensure a national network of high quality technical provision is available. Government should work with the OfS to determine how best to allocate this using, for example, quality indicators and analysis of geographic coverage.
Recommendation 2.8
From 2021-22 the fee cap for Level 4 and 5 qualifications currently prescribed by the OfS should be £7,500 – the same as that proposed for Level 6 qualifications and in line with current arrangements for prescribed HE qualifications. Longer term, only kitemarked Level 4 and 5 qualifications that meet the new employer-led national standards should be able to charge fees up to the Level 6 cap and be eligible for teaching grant. From that point, any other Level 4 and 5 courses should have a lower fee cap.
The current age cap should be removed so that a first ‘full’ Level 3 is available free to all learners whether they are in work or not.
Recommendation 2.10
Full funding for the first ‘full’ Level 2 qualification, for those who are 24 and over and who are employed should be restored.
Recommendation 2.11
The careers strategy should be rolled out nationally so that every secondary school is able to be part of a careers hub, that training is available to all careers leaders and that more young people have access to meaningful careers activities and encounters with employers.
Chapter 4 is the Further Education section of the report:
The Augar review gave a vision for England’s FE colleges in the future:
A national network of collaborative FECs that provide high quality technical and professional education with a clear focus on Levels 3, 4 and 5, delivered flexibly and aligned to the needs of local economies. FECs will maintain strong relationships with employers and assist in driving productivity. As engines of social mobility and inclusion, FECs will also provide community learning, reskilling and upskilling opportunities for adults leading to sustainable career opportunities.
Recommendation 4.1
The unit funding rate for economically valuable adult education courses should be increased
Recommendation 4.2
The reduction in the core funding rate for 18 year-olds should be reversed.
Recommendation 4.3
ESFA funding rules should be simplified for FE colleges, allowing colleges to respond more flexibly and immediately to the particular needs of their local labour market.
Recommendation 4.4
Government should commit to providing an indicative AEB that enables individual FE colleges to plan on the basis of income over a three-year period. Government should also explore introducing additional flexibility to transfer a proportion of AEB allocations between years on the same basis.
Recommendation 4.5
4.5.1 Government should provide FE colleges with a dedicated capital investment of at least £1 billion over the next Spending Review period. This should be in addition to funding for T levels and should be allocated primarily on a strategic national basis in-line with Industrial Strategy priorities.
4.5.2 Government should use the additional capital funding primarily to augment existing FE colleges to create a strong national network of high quality provision of technical and professional education, including growing capacity for higher technical provision in specific FE colleges.
4.5.3 Government should also consider redirecting the HE capital grant to further education.
Recommendation 4.6
4.6.1 The structure of the FE college network, particularly in large cities, should be further modified to minimise duplication in reasonable travel to learn areas.
4.6.2 In rural and semi-rural areas, small FE colleges should be strongly encouraged to form or join groups in order to ensure sustainable quality provision in the long term.
Recommendation 4.7
Government should develop procedures to ensure that – as part of a collaborative national network of FE colleges – there is an efficient distribution of Level 3, 4 and 5 provision within reasonable travel-to-learn areas, to enable strategic investment and avoid counterproductive competition between providers.
Recommendation 4.8
Investment in the FE workforce should be a priority, allowing improvements in recruitment and retention, drawing in more expertise from industry, and strengthening professional development.
Recommendation 4.9
The panel recommends that government improve data collection, collation, analysis and publication across the whole further education sector (including independent training providers).
Recommendation 4.10
The OfS and the ESFA should establish a joint working party, co-chaired by the OfS and ESFA chairs, to align the requirements they place on providers and improve the interactions and exchange of information between these bodies. The working party should report to the Secretary of State for Education by March 2020.
Recommendation 4.11
FE colleges should be more clearly distinguished from other types of training provider in the FE sector with a protected title similar to that conferred on universities.
Chapter 5 is dedicated to Apprenticeships:
The report highlights some interesting details, such as in 2017/18, 70% of Apprenticeships started by people aged 25 and over:
Subjects studied 155,500 (41 per cent) of the apprenticeships started in 2017/18 were by people aged 25 or over. A further 113,700 (30 per cent) were started by those aged between 19 and 24, meaning that over 70 per cent of apprenticeships were started by people aged 19 or over. The remaining 106,600 (28 per cent) apprenticeships were started by those aged under 19.33 Younger apprentices were far more likely to be new recruits, with 90 per cent of those aged under 19 recruited specifically to an apprenticeship. The comparable figures for older people are 70 per cent of those aged 19-24 and only 20 per cent of those aged 25 and over.34 CVER research has also found that the earnings returns to apprenticeships for those aged 19-24 is around twice that of those aged 25+.35 We understand that older workers are more likely to be ‘rebadged’ as apprentices and we question whether this always represents good value in the programme.
Here are the key recommendations:
Recommendation 5.1
The government should monitor closely the extent to which apprenticeship take up reflects the priorities of the Industrial Strategy, both in content – including the need for specific skills at Levels 3 through 5 – and in geographic spread. If funding is inadequate for demand, apprenticeships should be prioritised in line with Industrial Strategy requirements.
Recommendation 5.2
The government should use data on apprenticeships wage returns to provide accessible system wide information for learners with a potential interest in apprenticeships.
Recommendation 5.3
Funding for Level 6 and above apprenticeships should normally be available only for apprentices who have not previously undertaken a publicly-supported degree.
Recommendation 5.4
Ofsted become the lead responsible body for the inspection of the quality of apprenticeships at all levels.
Recommendation 5.5
No provider without an acceptable Ofsted rating should receive a contract to deliver training in their own right (although a provider who has not yet been inspected could subcontract from a high-quality provider pending their own inspection).
Recommendation 5.6
The IfATE and the DfE (through the ESFA) should undertake a programme of work to better understand the barriers that SMEs face in engaging with the apprenticeship system and put in place mechanisms to address these, including raising awareness of the programme and making the system easier to navigat
Joining Tom this week is Professor Barbara Stalder, who is the Head of Teacher Education. She actually has a number of responsibilities at the Bern University of Teacher Education. She's going to talk about the Swiss apprenticeship model.
Subscribe to the #SkillsWorld podcast series or visit the #SkillsWorld Newsroom on FE News to keep up to date with Tom's latest quest into the Skills World.
March of the Robots, Dual Apprenticeship System & Flexibility: Prof. Felix Rauner and Richard Marsh talk to Tom for #SkillsWorld Germany
This week Tom talks to Claire Fox, Director of Academy of Ideas, and regular commentator on our airwaves around a whole host of moral and political issue. Claire originally worked as a mental health social worker, she also worked as an English lecturer in two further education colleges in the late 1980s and 90s. Looking back to her time as a lecturer, Claire recalls the vibrancy and wide range of provision that was available, and discusses FE funding, social mobility, the over emphasis on grades and qualifications in technical education, and Brexit...
Tom spoke to Rob Halfon MP for this episode of #SkillsWorld. Listen here to find out what Rob said about Ofqual, the Institute, and apprenticeship quality assurance:
This week for Skills World, Tom reports from the frontline of skills delivery, where he talks to award winning independent apprenticeship training provider, LDN Apprenticeships:
Kirstie Donnelly and Tom Bewick discuss what a more flexible Levy could, and should be spent on for this episode of #SkillsWorld:
Tom talks to Paul Champion, President, Tranzed Apprenticeship Services, Maryland. Learn how British expat, Paul Champion, took his years of experience running apprenticeship providers in the UK, and has set up a successful independent training provider in Maryland, operating across several states.
Tom talks to Mardy Leathers, Director of Workforce Development, State of Missouri; and Susannah Lawson, Director and Co-founder of OneFile Ltd. Find out how the state of Missouri is openly encouraging the adoption of the British apprenticeship model in its expansion effort.
Tom talks to Dr. Robert Lerman, apprenticeship expert at the D.C. based think tank, the Urban Institute. Find out about the policy context shaping work based learning in the United States.
This week for Skills World, Tom Bewick is joined by David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges (AoC) to discuss College Consensus, Effective Lobbying and T Levels.
Skills Priorities and Challenges in Scotland: Tom Talks To Aileen Ponton for Skills World by FE News Podcast
This week for Skills World, Tom Bewick is joined by Phil Beach CBE, Executive Director for Vocational and Technical Qualifications, Ofqual and Paul Eeles, Chief Executive, Skills & Education Group, to discuss, Qualifications, EQA and T-Levels.
This week for Skills World, Tom Bewick is joined by Eileen Milner, Chief Executive of the Education Skills Funding Agency, to discuss Funding, Apprenticeship Reforms, and the changing role of ESFA.
Tom talks exclusively to Sir Gerry Berragan, CEO Institute for Apprenticeships, and Graham Hasting-Evans, Group MD, NOCN about end-point assessment and why robust independence is key to the success of England’s apprenticeship reforms. Essential listening, especially if you are an end-point assessment organisation.