Colleges, training providers and employers have experienced significant challenges and unprecedented uncertainty in recent years. Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis have all visited a significant toll on the sector and its ability to deliver education and training.
Apprenticeship starts have plummeted, students continue to seeing their learning and exams disrupted and education funding has been further stretched. Meanwhile, employers continue to struggle with labour shortages and supply chain issues and soaring inflation.
To examine the extent of these problems, and to consider practical, workable solutions, leading education and skills PR agency Grade Communications invited colleges, training providers, and leading business organisations to a roundtable discussion in Norwich on 31 August 2022 to meet with Waveney MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Further Education and Lifelong Learning, Peter Aldous.
This report serves as a summary of the discussions held and is intended to provide a contribution to the ongoing debate on how to solve the challenges facing the further education sector and to improve the quality of training provision in England and Wales.
Should you have any questions regarding the discussions conducted or the issues raised, please do not hesitate to get in touch.