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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has voiced his support for lifelong learning and the vital role that Further Education colleges play in this. Speaking at the University and College Union’s (UCU) Cradle to Grave conference, Mr Corbyn highlighted the necessity of access to education at any age, in a time when the UK faces a troubling skills gap crisis.

The results of the UK Employer Skills Survey 2015 were recently published, shedding light on the extent of the skills gap the UK is currently facing – a quarter of vacancies are unfilled due to a shortage of people with the required skills. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) survey reveals how significant the nation’s skills gap is, which is surprising given the still problematic levels of unemployment in the UK. Over 90,000 employers were surveyed, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.

The National Union of Students launched its #FEunplugged campaign on 29 January, with the aim of making sure that the learner’s voice is heard in the area review process. This builds on growing concerns in the sector that the area review process is being pushed through without due consideration for the institutions it will affect.

A recent report, Changing Patterns in Vocational Entry Qualifications, Student Support and Outcomes in Undergraduate Degree Programmes by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), identified that students with vocational qualifications didn’t possess the academic study skills developed by A Level students. The reason for the study was to analyse how well students with vocational qualifications are prepared for, and supported in, their studies at Higher Education. It explains that the range of qualifications available to 16 to 18-year-old students has grown considerably, raising the question of how well different qualification types prepare students for studies in Higher Education. There’s been an increased focus on 16 to 18-year-olds’ progression into education and employment, and particularly on Apprenticeships as the government aims for its target of 3m Apprenticeship starts by 2020.

This month saw the publication of the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ (IFS) Green Budget. The report looks at the issues and challenges facing the Chancellor as he prepares for his Budget in March. The study has highlighted the risks threatening the government’s spending plans, including how key aspects of the Apprenticeship reform programme, intended to create growth and increase productivity, may actually challenge it.

The long, agonising wait for a ‘tsunami of exam reform’ (p8) - In less than 2 months time, schools will have to start teaching the new GCSEs and A Levels over 20 subjects. Ofqual still has to approve two-thirds (only 52 out of 156 have been approved) of the specifications for teaching and delivery— a situation described as ’shocking’ by teaching unions. It's up to colleges to stop this strike, says Corbyn (p46) - Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has called on colleges to come up with a ‘reasonable’ pay offer for their staff ahead of a national strike planned for the 24 February.

The government states that it wants to improve recognition and quality of Apprenticeship programmes. It intends to achieve this by involving employers more heavily in Apprenticeships and giving them control over the standards, content and funding of an Apprenticeship. This, it argues, will ensure that all Apprenticeships suitably prepare learners for employment while also ensuring employers’ needs are met in terms of skills gaps. Another government plan is to protect the term ‘Apprenticeship’ in legislation to safeguard the brand and ensure high quality outcomes. Furthermore, in an effort to drive up the number of Apprenticeship starts, the upcoming Enterprise Bill will require at least 2.3% of public sector businesses with a workforce of 250 people or more to hire apprentices.

It’s quite timely that the National Union of Students has launched its ‘#FEunplugged’ campaign today, making sure that the learner’s voice is heard at the heart of the Area Review process. This builds on growing concerns in the sector that the Area Review process is being pushed through without due consideration for the institutions it will affect.

I started my Apprenticeship in Software Development last January at NCFE, which I’ve recently completed. I’ve gained important knowledge and skills, as well as qualifications and work experience – all while getting paid! Before I started my Apprenticeship, I attended the NCFE Rising Stars boot camp. During this, I achieved a Level 2 qualification in IT Professionalism, which included many different aspects of IT. This helped me better understand the path in IT I wanted to go down – Software Development, which I really enjoyed learning during the boot camp.

1 January 2016 The biggest change to the schools system in 50 years (p8) - Ministers are considering publishing a whitepaper that will formalise its plans to convert every remaining state school in the country into an academy.