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Learning Curve Group (LCG) aim to raise thousands of pounds for their 2017 charity of the year, Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), by hosting their annual charity ball. The Vegas-themed ball, sponsored by NCFE, will be compered by award-winning Heart FM DJ, Justin Lockwood and promises to be an exciting evening featuring live music, a three course meal and casino tables, all in aid of the GNAAS. Entertainment throughout the night includes the fantastic live band Shakedown, saxophonist Daniel Johnson and dance performances from glamorous showgirls.

Results of the recent report, The Social Mobility Barometer, which checks the nation’s attitude towards social mobility in the UK, have revealed that young people are feeling out in the cold. The report from the Social Mobility Commission has divulged that 51% of the 18-24 year olds polled believe that; ‘your background is a determining factor of where you end up in the future’. The report has illustrated disparities between generations and how they feel about their chances to thrive based on their own personal merit, rather than their postcode or who their parents are. Only 40% of the over 65’s polled believe background is a contributing factor to your final social destination, which is arguably positive when compared with over half of young people who believe the statement to be true.  More troubling still, the report finds that only 25% of the 18-24 year olds polled believe that ‘in Britain today everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and their hard work will take them’. This is in stark comparison to the 45% of over 65 year olds who believe this statement to be true.

Last week saw the electorate go to the polls for the third time in two years. With the hope of getting an increased majority in the House of Commons, Theresa May and her team campaigned on a number of issues, not always successfully. Other parties competed for attention and vote seeking. But where was Brexit in the campaign? It seemed as if it was the unspoken item by the major English parties and somewhat muted by the minorities. The election resulted in a ‘hung parliament’, the first since 1974, with a deal now in the offing with the DUP. We've also seen the Cabinet reshuffle, or in some cases status quo, and despite a couple of new faces, nothing is really radical.

Here’s a cautionary tale. Theresa May’s former chief of staff, Nick Timothy, resigned over the weekend after demands from the Conservative party members. Along with his colleague Fiona Hill, Nick was seen as the co-architect of the (first) 2017 General Election. They initially worked together at the Home Office, and became Theresa May’s special advisers during this time.

The general election result has created a huge amount of uncertainty over the future and it’s fair to say that nothing like this has ever happened in British politics before. At NCFE, we’re committed to keeping our customers updated on changes and developments in the sector, so here’s a critical look at the numbers to help us illustrate just how close the result was, and how difficult it could be to navigate through this vital period of our country’s history.  

The further education sector plays a vital role as the engine room of social mobility, nurturing talent which is often overlooked by traditional academic routes. Through our role as a charity anchored in the further education sector, we’ve had the privilege of supporting more than 1,500 talented students who’ve overcome significant barriers to achieve their goal of progressing to University.

Well, what a night. When the exit polls were announced a 10pm, it was a shock to us all - the General Election has resulted in a ‘Hung Parliament’.

The main parties have published their manifestos and it's interesting to see the focus on schools, technical education and wholesale funding reviews.  Unfortunately, there is no mention or detail on the issue of replacing ESIF. Yes, I know that manifestos are top level, headline grabbing documents, but just a few days ago even the Welsh Government was talking about more EU millions funding investment to support communities and individuals.

The general election has come at an interesting time. The uncertainty of Brexit, weakened wage growth and the need to upskill our domestic skills base are just some of the challenges that we currently face as a nation. Amid all of this, education reform is once again a high profile item in the various major parties’ manifestos.

This evening, University College London’s Centre for Post-14 Education and Work will host a seminar to highlight the recent NCFE-sponsored report, “Reforming Technical and Professional Education: Why should it work this time?”, which was published with the Campaign for Learning and written by independent policy consultant Mick Fletcher. As UCL Honorary Research Fellow, Mick Fletcher will lead the seminar, and it will be chaired by Professor Martin Doel. The aim of the session is to further explore the implications of the Post-16 Skills Plan and reform of technical and professional education.