Policymakers

What role do policymakers play in FE?

Policymakers at government levels shape the priorities, funding, and regulatory frameworks for the FE sector through legislation, policies, and budget allocation decisions. Key stakeholders include elected officials, government departments like the Department for Education (DfE), regulatory bodies like Ofsted, and sector membership organisations.

What are some recent major FE policy developments?

Notable FE policies in recent years include:

• FE Insolvency Regime – Legislation allowing colleges facing financial issues to be rescued or restructured, including receiving new leadership and structural changes
• National Skills Fund – £3 billion committed to help adults retrain throughout their lifetimes through flexible Skills Wallets
• T Level Rollout – New technical qualifications similar to apprenticeships being phased in with government funding
• FE White Paper – Proposing closer collaboration between further and higher education providers

What policy areas impact FE students and staff?

Some key policy areas influencing FE students, lecturers, and staff include:

• Tuition fees and funding support for students
• Curriculum and qualification reform initiatives
• FE pay and working conditions
• College performance monitoring and intervention policies
• Digital learning and edtech integration
• Apprenticeship program rules
• Skills gaps and priorities for technical education

How can the FE sector influence policymaking?

FE sector organisations like the Association of Colleges lobby policymakers and provide formal consultation responses during policy development. College leaders and staff can directly contact local MPs. Students can advocate through campus organisations and petitions. Lecturers can participate in government advisory groups.

What FE policies are being debated currently?

Some ongoing debates and areas of FE policymaking include:

• Ongoing FE and technical education funding reform
• Regulation of new alternative FE providers and validating organisations
• Reviewing qualifications and curriculum to align with employer needs
• FE workforce recruitment, retention, and training pipeline policies
• Supporting digital transformation of FE institutions
• Environmental sustainability and net zero goals for the FE estate