Apprenticeships are rightly celebrated as one of the most effective routes into employment. They offer young people the opportunity to earn, learn and build a...
Back in February I wrote an article about training provider preparation for the new system of apprenticeship assessment, well now providers need to prepare for...
The apprenticeship sector in England has spent much of the last decade focused on delivery, quality and employer engagement. The next phase is likely to...
For decades, young people have been encouraged to see vocational routes as alternatives to success rather than central to it. Yet at this very moment,...
The 2026-2027 WISE Prize for Education invites education innovators to turn boldideas into real‑world impact. As someone deeply engaged in improving learning outcomes and advancing...
It’s been a couple of weeks since the Milburn report was published, and I like everyone have been digesting the report and the analysis. Like a well-trained student,...
Britain’s NEET crisis is no longer a warning sign; it is a structural failure. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures (Jan-March 2026) estimate...
Across further and higher education, widening participation has become one of the defining policy priorities of the past two decades. Institutions have rightly focused on...
Young people today are entering a world in upheaval. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, record-breaking temperatures, and the accelerating rise of AI is...
According to the latest ONS labour market data, youth unemployment has hit 14.7%. That means one in seven young people looking for work can't find...
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.
The government’s chief adviser on skills policy delivery, Sir Michael Barber, has said that while the UK has been lagging on skills and apprenticeships for…
How digitisation is helping City & Guilds close the skills gap for learners and employers. Skills development has the power to change lives and build…
In this article, Andy Forbes, Head of Development at the Lifelong Education Institute, celebrates apprenticeships but expresses concerns about the apprenticeship levy. Despite its significant…
Sharon Blyfield, Head of Early Careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners discusses how we can come together to break down the barriers in the Early Careers…
AI is reframing how businesses recruit and train employees and apprenticeships are a great solution providing the best of both worlds, recruiting fresh new talent,…
The Board of Babington, a leading provider of apprenticeships, professional training courses, and learning solutions in the UK, is delighted to announce the appointment of Jen Bramley as Chief Executive Officer with immediate…
To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, Spire Healthcare has celebrated the continued development of its latest cohort of nursing apprentices at an energy filled Festival…
National Apprenticeships Week is a great opportunity to shine a light on the different ways companies celebrate their apprenticeship schemes, and Lovell is no different.…
THE £10m redevelopment of a leading land-based college (@colegcambria) is set for completion this autumn. Backed with more than £5.9m from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable…
As we approach Student Volunteering Week, 12-18th February, a new volunteering role for 16 and 17 year olds created by Bookmark Reading Charity is set…
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