The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP, has delivered a speech on FE reform. The speech focused on:
- the growing importance of FE and the need for high-quality technical skills to drive the economic recovery
- a vision for a “wholesale rebalancing towards further and technical education” with a stronger alignment with the economic and societal needs of the nation
- ensuring individuals don’t always choose a university option which, for some, ends with graduates not having the skills needed for meaningful work
- the future publication of a White Paper setting out plans to build a world-class, German-style FE system in Britain, levelling up skills and opportunities
- the crucial need for high-quality qualifications based on employer-led Standards
- colleges playing a leading role in developing skills in their areas; responding to local economic needs and acting as centres for businesses
Sector comment on his speech can be read here. This article focusses on the part of the speech regarding the White Paper, and this article focusses on his comments about higher education.