Here at NCFE we’re anticipating the forthcoming publication of the skills white paper which will, in part, include the findings of the Sainsbury Review of Technical and Professional Education (TPE).
Although this wasn’t referenced in the Queen’s Speech on 18 May as expected, rumours are that the final recommendations and report will be published at some point later, before the EU referendum Purdah begins on 27 May.
Whatever the outcome, our sources are telling us that the plans are ‘radical’ in scope, meaning a revolutionary change for post-16 TPE provision. It’s rumoured that the review is keen to have the changes implemented by 2020; so there is at least some time for all of us in the sector to align ourselves with the changes the review will set out.
The review panel has been exceedingly tight lipped; despite best efforts, we (and the sector more broadly) have been unable to get access to any of the detailed findings yet. However, details were recently leaked to FE Week which confirmed that the review will focus on 15 TPE routes or pathways into occupations, either through a full time programme of learning, or ‘flipping’ into an Apprenticeship after one year. The routes will be very tightly focused on progressing learners into a job role or a degree level programme, and will involve a significant proportion of work experience embedded within the curriculum. This seemingly confirms the new pathways alluded to in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
From the leak, it appears that the government intends to separate TPE and academic education, which has raised concerns in the sector. If this is the case, learners may no longer be able to study a mix of TPE and academic qualifications.
The government had previously pledged to bridge the gap between 16-19 learning and higher level studies, as well as simplifying TPE routes so that they were as straightforward and easy to understand as the traditional academic path of A Levels and university. We support this aim, but believe learners should still have the choice to study TPE or academic qualifications, or both if it suits them best.
Nick Linford echoed many people’s concerns that this will create a two-tier system in education, and that the simplification of TPE could come at a cost to learners.
We’re keeping a very close eye on the developments of the review here at NCFE, and we’ll be working hard to ensure that our provision supports the findings of the review.
