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Apprenticeships: opportunities and challenges for small businesses

By , Tuesday 23 August 2016

New research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggests that, with increased government support, small businesses could deliver an extra one million apprenticeships. Published just before the release of the Apprenticeship Levy update, the FSB’s survey concluded that ‘the small business sector is crucial to the government achieving its target of 3 million apprenticeships by 2020’. Only 24% of FSB members currently employ an apprentice, but a further 24% would consider doing so if they’re given more support from the government.

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A-level results day – what’s next?

By , Thursday 18 August 2016

It’s A-level results day and as we speak, thousands of young people around the UK are either celebrating their success or commiserating over unexpected or disappointing results. This year, record numbers of university places have been offered, and there’s been a marginal fall in top grades for the fifth year in a row.  

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Halfon should take a step back from the brink and negotiate a proper pilot

By Nick Linford, Writing exclusively for NCFE, Wednesday 17 August 2016

Nicklinford

The apprenticeship reforms go live next April but are arguably already more than four years old. Doug Richard was commissioned by the Skills Minister John Hayes to come up with recommendations back in June 2012. Since then Hayes became Hancock who became Boles and the ministerial baton was last month handed to Halfon.

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How will the Post-16 Skills Plan affect our sector?

By David Grailey, Chief Executive, Wednesday 27 July 2016

David Grailey

This month saw the publication of both Lord Sainsbury’s Report of the Independent Panel on Technical Education and the accompanying Post-16 Skills Plan. The report and plan will have a significant impact on the awarding sector, and especially on the choice of qualifications available for learners aged 16 and above.  The report states that at 16, learners should be "presented with two choices: the academic or the technical option" in the form of 15 broad occupational routes covering "college-based and employment-based (apprenticeship) education" from Levels 2 to 5.

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Improving English and maths achievement

By , Wednesday 27 July 2016

The Education and Endowment Foundation (EEF) is launching a £5 million fund aimed at helping learners who don’t hold an English or maths GCSE at grade C or above. The EEF fund, in partnership with JP Morgan, will be used to support up to 8 research projects that are aimed at improving English and maths GCSE grades for Key Stage 4 learners.

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