Further Education and the FE White Paper February 2021

Further Education has never been more central to the economic recovery of the UK.  In the recent FE White Paper the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, said this: 

'Unlike many of our OECD peers, this country has not always shown further education the esteem it deserves with too many people – and too many employers – wrongly believing that studying for a degree at university is the only worthwhile marker of success.  Although our universities are world-class, it is not the only choice; in many cases a college course or apprenticeship can offer better outcomes’.

I have never seen such a statement of encouragement for technical and vocational education from a Secretary of State.  The White paper accompanying this introduction has some very positive proposals including all-age funding for adults who want to take a level 3 qualification and then go on to level four or level 5.  In time it would be very helpful to extend this funding to level 2 (GCSE equivalent) because all professions require proficiency before gaining more expertise at level 3.  This is particularly true of construction and engineering qualifications but equally so if training to be a chef or adult care technician.  

The White Paper also seeks to establish local skills improvement plans, led by business organisations such as Chambers of Commerce.  In practice areas would set up skills boards, similar to those already in existence in our local enterprise partnerships, who would review skills gaps existing for local businesses and work with FE colleges and others to enable appropriate training to be put in place.  The challenge will be ensuring that all businesses engage with this process.

There is some capital funding associated with the skills improvement plans which could be an exciting opportunity to allow colleges to establish specialist training facilities for key local companies.  

Long term, it is hoped that the funding system for Further Education can be reformed and simplified and focus more on outcomes than on the cost of the training being delivered.  Currently far too much money is wasted on costly audits of detailed funding systems which only benefit the audit companies involved.  

There is going to be more focus on good governance.  Whilst time and effort has been invested in this area by the Education & Training Foundation in establishing good quality training for governors, it is still not mandatory.  It is also challenging to identify if the practice one college or group puts in place is really world class or not.  

There is also a proposal to support attracting the best talent to teach professional and technical qualifications.  This area needs a huge focus,  particularly given we are being encouraged to deliver more level 4 and 5 qualifications (first two years of a degree).  However, this can only truly be achieved if staff are paid significantly more than they are now.  The top salary for teachers in an FE college is around £38k.  In a school, the top salary is closer to £50k.  

The intent of the FE White Paper is clear, but to deliver it there has to be consistent funding for the Further Education sector.  In the last eleven years there has only been one increase in funding rates for 16-18 year olds and the rate for 18-19 year olds has been cut significantly.  Funding for Adults has fallen by 30%.  If this Government wants to transform technical and vocational training, it has to fund it properly, otherwise the same challenges around teacher vacancies, poor infrastructure and college failings will continue.