Why we need a radical rethink of Skills Policy
For over 40 years, Human Capital theory has underscored the various UK skills policies implemented by different governments. While a number of institutions and initiatives…
Tom Bewick
Latest reforms to American Apprenticeships signal new opportunities for British training providers
Following Tom Bewick’s involvement in the inaugural conference of Apprenticeships for America, in Washington D.C. (March 12th-13th, 2024), here he outlines how the planned expansion…
What does a General Election year mean for FE and skills?
With the opinion polls indicating a return to power for the Labour Party – in what is an expected general election year – the skills…
Inside Story: What we learnt about two decades of Whitehall policy that has failed to shift the dial on improving UK productivity and skills
Professor Tom Bewick talks to FE News about a recent major UK skills review he co-authored with the independent researcher, Matilda Gosling, called Running to…
No time for complacency in England’s long apprenticeship journey
Professor Tom Bewick recently attended the inaugural international conference on delivery and policy of degree and higher apprenticeships. The following article is based on the…
Budget Spring Statement confirms FE’s position as Forgotten Education
Let’s not mince words. This Budget was a complete non-event for the further education, apprenticeship and skills sector. It confirmed in the minds of many…
Budget Statement 2023: is the scrapping of the apprenticeship levy on the cards?
As Treasury officials work hard to prepare the Chancellor’s Budget Statement, speculation continues about the future of the UK-wide apprenticeship levy. Prof. Tom Bewick explains…
Five things that still need to happen to secure a world-beating apprenticeship system by 2030
Apprenticeships, when done well, solve the productivity puzzle and help build a ladder of career opportunity for people in every local community. However, Prof. Tom Bewick says…
What can Sir Michael Barber’s review accomplish for FE? Asks Professor Tom Bewick
Sir Michael Barber is an educationalist whose own academic background and career reflects those of other recent ‘skills advisers’ to occupy the space: Baroness Wolf,…
Will prime minister Sunak embrace a new vision for FE?
The new prime minister has a chance to move beyond ‘Statism’ and ‘Cakeism’ and restructure post-16 education and skills around a new FE ownership model,…