Working together to address the big challenges in education and skills

Working together to address the big challenges in education and skills

FED collaboration with NCFE on challenges in FE

“Young people leaving education may find it harder than ever to compete for their first job; and we have needed to quickly adapt the way we teach and assess. At NCFE, we believe that if we are to overcome these challenges, we must collaborate.”  David Gallagher CEO NCFE

We have been delighted with the positive response we have received to our series of round table events organised in partnership with NCFE.

At FED we look to work with partner organisations to develop the ideas for our 12 month consultation on creating a positive future for education in this country. We are grateful for the support given by NCFE to make this element of our work possible.

To read more about our recent partnership events, you may be interested to read the blog from the CEO of NCFE, David Gallagher.  see below

There are many long-standing challenges in education and skills that we must solve. Far too many people achieve below their potential, limiting their future options and their ability to have fulfilling careers and lives. Pathways from education into the world of work are not always clearly understood or well established. Productivity remains lower than comparable OECD countries, inhibiting our ambitions for shared prosperity. We are not using available technology to maximum benefit, to enhance and improve the learning experience.

We know that the current pandemic has exacerbated the situation. Many people will lose jobs and find that their skills are no longer in demand; young people leaving education may find it harder than ever to compete for their first job; and we have needed to quickly adapt the way we teach and assess.

At NCFE, we believe that if we are to overcome these challenges, we must collaborate. There is a wealth of expertise in the sector, upon which we must draw. If we can harness that and work towards a shared vision, we can have genuine belief that we will improve outcomes for learners and society as a whole.

It is for this reason that we asked FED to bring together some of the most forward thinking and solutions focussed minds in the sector, to explore three specific challenges that we believe are crucial to the future of the skills system.

The first of the three roundtable discussions focused on building a world class online learning and assessment system. Experts from a range of organisations presented their latest research and perspectives. We explored what could be gained and lost if we rethink standardised testing and high stakes end point assessment, and discussed the perceived barriers to embracing technology.

The second session explored what needs to happen if we are to genuinely ‘shift the dial’ on vocational and technical education. This included the latest research on T levels, a discussion on the government’s approach to skills, and the importance of good quality careers advice and guidance.

The final session focussed on how to build effective model of collaboration anchored in local communities. We explored how to use data to understand local areas and ensure that we build effective pathways from education into employment, firmly based on need.

The quality of discussion at each of the sessions was superb. FED delivered a superb series of roundtables that we hope will act as a catalyst. The real measure of success will be how we can effectively build on these conversations and turn dialogue into meaningful action. NCFE will be working with a number of the organisations who took part, to drive forward new approaches and trial innovative solutions.

If you were unable to join us at the roundtables but are interested in this work, NCFE and FED will always welcome a conversation with those who wish to explore collaborative working as we strive towards building a world class technical education system.

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