Beyond Good Intentions: Why Employer‑Led Pathways Still Fall Short and What Must Change
The recent FE News special feature for Youth Employment Week rightly celebrated the employers who are working hard to open doors for young people, showcasing...
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.
Children and young people will leave school fully equipped to thrive in the modern world of work under reforms to breathe new life into the national…
The interim report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), published in March 2025 (DfE 2025), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to T Levels as a…
There is an urgent need for consistent, high-quality financial education in schools and further education. Applied learning and teacher support are essential for preparing young…
Welcome to FE Soundbite Edition 821: 1st November 2025. What is a Green Mindset? … and how can you be one of the 3% that…
As the apprenticeship system prepares for one of its most significant periods of change in recent years, Skills Federation has partnered with independent research consultancy…
A record 252 members of The 5% Club have achieved accredited status through the organisation’s Employer Audit Programme, announced at The 5% Club Skills Summit…
A leading manufacturer of home improvement products is looking to bridge a major skills gap by creating its own Manufacturing Degree pathway. CO Manufacturing (the…
The urgency of AI upskilling has reached unprecedented levels, with almost one in ten UK workers now dedicating an entire day each week to learning…
New report exposes major AI skills gap holding UK businesses back – but 3 new tools launched will help unlock up to £400bn growth potential…
Mehdi El Khatib, Managing Director of University Mohammed VI Polytechnic’s (UM6P) Global Hub in the United States, highlights the critical role of cross-continental collaboration in…
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