Welcome to FE Soundbite Edition 728, January 13th 2024: What does a General Election year mean for FE and skills?

This is the weekly e-newsletter and e-journal brought to you by FE News: ISSN 2732-4095. We know life is busy, so here is a snapshot of the latest announcements and epic thought leadership articles, from sector influencers and cool thinkers across FE and Skills this week on FE News.

Our top three leadership pieces this week

1 - What does a General Election year mean for FE and skills? Prof Tom Bewick, Chief Executive at Ecctis, wrote a comprehensive article about his predictions for the main political party’s manifestos this election year!

2 - Can teaching students life-long skills prepare them for the digitalised world beyond the classroom? By Nicola Pearce, Head of Education at BenQ, discusses how and why teaching students life-long skills can and will prepare them for the upcoming 4th industrial revolution.

3 - People Productivity: How to Build Highly Effective Teams in the Workplace By Jane Knight, Founder of Successful Mums Career Academy explores key strategies to nurture productivity, enhance motivation, and encourage staff retention.

This week, we have also had some other epic exclusives:

• The Pivotal Role of Trust in Employability: Positive Human Connection is the Key to Success By Scott Parkin FIEP, Group Chief Executive, Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP)
• Why haven’t Ofqual published metrics of grade reliability? By Dennis Sherwood, an independent consultant, a campaigner for reliable exam grades
• Tomorrow’s Leadership Today – The A.I. Playbook! By Paul Mudd, Writer and Co-Founder and Director of the Mudd Partnership
• Getting collective bargaining right for Scotland’s colleges By Gavin Donoghue, Director of College Employers Scotland

What’s New in the World of FE?

Science, Research, and Innovation Minister Andrew Griffith has initiated a call for evidence on this initiative as of today, January 13th. Mathematics experts are encouraged to contribute to the formation of a National Academy of Mathematical Sciences, aimed at enhancing the country's skills and boosting economic growth.

Each month, we find our Top Three most popular articles on FE News. This month was a busy one as we all broke up for the holiday season, but that didn’t stop our winners: Chair Nichola Hay, Steven Spence & Kerry Boffey.

FE Voices this week

• Quality assurance and improvement in apprenticeships: Four reflective questions to ask yourself, by Strategic Development Network (SDN)

• The Symbiosis of Individual Potential and Societal Progress: A Synthesis of Alan Turing and George Bernard Shaw’s Philosophies, by Gavin Hoole

• First Intuition advises how to prepare for National Apprenticeship Week 2024, by First Intuition

• Education in 2024: Embracing Individuality, Creativity, and Holistic Growth, by Gavin Hoole

• Meet Caspar, a customer service apprentice at British Airways, By Caspar

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this week’s soundbite. Now that you’re all caught up on what’s going on in the FE Sector this week, we hope you have a restful weekend!

Alex Anderson, Junior Digital Project Manager, FE News

Danny O’Meara, Junior Digital Project Manager, FE News