The publication of the Milburn interim review on young people and work arrives at an important moment for England’s education, employment and skills system. With...
Something struck me recently at the Breaking Barriers / NEET Collective, held in central London on 2nd June 2026 - a FE News and Edge...
Recently, I visited PET-Xi in Coventry, and I left with a feeling I know all too well: admiration, frustration and a deep sense of déjà...
Practitioners, leaders, researchers and advocates gathered in London to do something the sector urgently needed: not just name the problem, but co-design the route out...
There’s a gulf between where many NEET young people are and where employers need them to be so that they can thrive in a job. The UK must find ways to bridge that gulf -...
Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work interim report should land as a national alarm bell. Nearly one million young people are now not in education,...
UK government and organisations are constantly discussing ongoing skills shortages and apprenticeships and employability, yet one of the biggest untapped resources that often gets overlooked...
The Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner apprenticeship launched by Skills England has arrived at a difficult moment for the FE sector. The management apprenticeship...
The term NEET has long been used as shorthand for young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training. It is often framed as...
New apprenticeship reforms could play an important role in improving diversity across the UK workforce, particularly as policymakers seek to widen access to skilled careers and address persistent barriers...
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.
I am fascinated by AI. It is clearly a technology that will transform almost everything we do in life and in work. A personal inflection…
China’s ambitious international education strategy, driven by the “Belt and Road Initiative” (2013) and “China’s Education Modernisation 2035” (2019), presents significant opportunities for collaboration with…
For years, speculation has dominated discussions about AI’s impact on jobs—will it replace workers, or simply enhance productivity? Now, new data from Anthropic provides the…
The Fast-Moving Beast The progress in AI-driven coding has been nothing short of incredible. OpenAI’s O3 model has already achieved an ELO rating in competitive…
Employers from acute, community, social care, primary care and voluntary sector gathered at a special Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship event at the University of Winchester. …
Imagine designing an enclosure for poison dart frogs—not just any enclosure, but one optimised for space, safety, and sustainability. This may not be the first…
Barking & Dagenham College was a hotbed of activity when hundreds of employers and students convened for a day of competitions and activities. The Skills…
Nelson and Colne College Group welcomed Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, as part of National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. Minister Smith was met by Principal Lisa…
The world-famous Tate Modern art gallery in London is supporting Leeds Trinity University Primary Education Lecturers, Salik Miah and Bethany Drake, to equip children and…
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has launched the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, providing funding and support to digitally-excluded groups across the UK, including elderly and low-income…
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