LIFES Inquiry: Leading Innovation in Further Education and Skills
More change, less control? Inquiry to investigate innovative leadership through the Further Education sector’s time of change
The Skills Commission is embarking on its next major project into the Further Education (FE) sector and is calling for evidence to its ‘Leading innovation in further education and skills’ inquiry.
The call for evidence comes as the FE sector is undergoing Area Reviews alongside increased competition from schools and universities, cuts to public funding, and demographic shifts. The Apprenticeship Levy is another major factor the sector must consider as many FE providers experience continued instability. The Government is now consulting on what the final framework will look like.
Amongst all of these changes, the Skills Commission is asking sector experts what policy change can foster sector growth and stability and how they are leading the field through a variety of innovative practices.
Chaired by Neil Bates, Chief Executive of Prospects Learning Foundation, the Commission has already visited Manchester, Scotland, Wales and London to bring together sector experts, MPs, Peers and academics to drive the inquiry forward. Neil said:
“Now is the time for FE professionals across the country and from all parts of the sector to come to the Skills Commission and tell us about how they are using innovation and dynamic new models to navigate through these challenging times. How are you driving your institutions forward and confronting the new realities and how are leaders setting the agenda and shaping the new education and skills landscape? We want to hear about the very best practise so that we can recommend only the most effective policy in Westminster."
To give evidence to the Skills Commission, please download the call for evidence detail on the right hand side of this page, or contact Aaron Bowater on 0207 202 8576 / aaron.bowater [at] policyconnect.org.uk (aaron[dot]bowater[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk).