A decade ago, digital skills were often seen as specialist knowledge. Today, they sit alongside English and maths as essential workplace literacies. Sustainability is now...
Before our sector rushes to introduce apprenticeship quality measures, it’s time we made better use of the strongest public indicator we already have. An industry...
The UK’s labour market currently faces a growing contradiction. At the same time as businesses report persistent skills shortages, nearly a million young people aged...
As apprenticeships are, by definition, an employment-based programme, you might reasonably expect the pattern of apprenticeship starts to broadly track trends in the labour market. Having worked in the sector for over 20...
AI is beginning to shape young people’s transitions from education to work. Increasingly, career development practitioners are using large language models to support guidance sessions and for resource creation...
The Skills White Paper claims colleges have been treated as "second rate" despite impressive results compared to others. Does our misaligned quality model and music...
There is a persistent and costly misunderstanding at the heart of workforce design in Further Education. We continue to measure people against roles that were...
The quality of initial teacher training (ITT) in further education (FE) is again under review, but this time with a sharper regulatory edge. From 2026,...
At Milton Keynes, we were the first FE College Group in the country to receive the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) inspection, and I’m delighted to...
Geoffrey Hinton and I have something in common. We both studied and worked in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence department at the University of...
This is the Skills and Apprenticeships News category page on FE News. This is a page that has pooled together thought leadership articles and videos from influencers and key decision makers discussing future skills policy, how skills can solve the productivity puzzle, the latest developments in Apprenticeships and skills for the jobs of the future and how technology is transforming the core or essential skills for the jobs of the future as we are now in the fourth industrial revolution. Here is the place to explore the latest ideas and skills strategies from leaders across the World of Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeships.
So if you are interested in finding out the latest strategies, expert opinions and developments from the Apprenticeship Levy, to the Growth and Skills Levy News, APAR, lifelong learning, micro-credentials, Degree apprenticeships or qualification reform and skills policy news. Then you are in the right place. Check out the latest opinion pieces, thought leadership, videos and skills strategies from experts across the World of Apprenticeships, Skills and Work Based Learning. FE News is a platform, so the thought leadership articles are from actual Apprenticeship industry professionals, rather than through the lens of a reporter or editor. This is why the content on FE News is truly the voice of the FE and Skills Sector.
Apprenticeships provide talent pipelines with in-demand skills crucial for future growth. Work-integrated learning moulds adaptable workers as jobs evolve. Apprentices gain relevant experience by bypassing graduate skills gaps. Custom programs matched to business priorities also promote diversity and social mobility. Competency measures further shift focus to capabilities over qualifications. Government incentives and industry partnerships in areas with acute shortages reinforce the value of developing talent via apprenticeships at all career stages.
Evaluate skills gaps and ageing. Build versatility in digital, data, and regulatory domains to minimise shortage risks and keep institutional knowledge despite turnover. Also, focus on inclusive leadership.
Automation and AI first policies will transform most jobs, prioritising human skills in problem-solving across disciplines. Human creativity, empathy and teamwork will productively integrate with efficiency. Technical skills should connect humanities and STEM.
Skills audits, micro-learning, and mentor guidance enabled through internal job rotations and external partnerships. Leaders should exemplify continuous learning. Incentivise upskilling via subsidised classes in emerging domains. Promote peer coaching too.
Discover more insights and strategies on FE skills and apprenticeships by exploring our latest articles, videos, and resources below.
A decade ago, digital skills were often seen as specialist knowledge. Today, they sit alongside English and maths as essential workplace literacies. Sustainability is now…
Entries have opened for this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, with manufacturing and engineering employers across West Yorkshire being encouraged to put forward their most…
Dumfries and Galloway College’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in learning has been recognised with an incredible 10 nominations at The Herald Education Awards 2026! …
Before our sector rushes to introduce apprenticeship quality measures, it’s time we made better use of the strongest public indicator we already have. An industry…
Business finance provider UKSE is enabling young people to get into employment by funding a grants scheme to pay for practical steps to help them…
The City of Liverpool College has been awarded a leading national role in clean energy skills development, the Department for Education confirmed today as it…
Aspire 2Be has announced the launch of a new Level 4 Digital Product Management Apprenticeship, offering a fully funded learning opportunity for eligible work‑based learners…
They are the UK’s finest young professionals, the future of our workforce, now they stand ready to compete on the world stage in a contest…
As apprenticeships are, by definition, an employment-based programme, you might reasonably expect the pattern of apprenticeship starts to broadly track trends in the labour market. Having worked in the sector for over 20…
NOCN Group is addressing a key challenge in skills reform: the lack of consistency, trust and interoperability in skills passporting. Under the leadership of Chief…
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