News this week that the area review transition fund has still yet to unfold and reveal its hand has left us guessing. Many providers keen to take advantage of the opportunity to kick-start their improvement planning for the next academic year will be considering where and how to use the support to deliver coherent and ambitious plans.

We face a major challenge in our training and skills sector. The need for more highly skilled people, trained effectively in order to grow our economy and raise productivity is of paramount importance if we are to close the gap with our neighbouring counterparts. Recent news on our exit from the EU could see businesses re-assess their approach to developing their workforce which highlights the need for the sector to face into these challenges.

The government’s review into FE advocates fewer larger and more financially resilient colleges with greater specialisation. Delays to the outcomes of these reviews and important government guidance that should have been published in July continue to create uncertainty across the sector.

Turbulent times across the sector are indicative of the changes that will need to take place if we are to remain at the forefront of world-class education, training and skills in the UK. With consolidation, imposed cuts, a lack of clarity and considerable uncertainty, it is paramount that we understand how we are to respond to these challenges and remain resilient in the coming years. By looking at this diversity of change ahead and the challenges faced by delivering to a broadening customer base of learners, professionals, employers and other stakeholders we can begin to build a bigger picture of the wider implications of how these will influence meaning change in the way the sector operates.

The future of FE as we know it is going through a considerable transition.