News & Views

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with a number of training providers from the Sussex region. This is always a great privilege but on this occasion, even this normally […]

An increasingly important element of any Ofsted inspection is planning. Can you demonstrate that you are planning and recording your intentions for each learner?  This can take the form of […]

This morning we were privileged to have Jo Mortimer of Ocean Aspire lead us through a workshop considering Mental Health Awareness. The session covered various aspects of health and wellbeing, […]

Like many people, we at SkillWise are devastated to see the daily news coming from Ukraine, and we are equally humbled by the incredible courage and resilience of the Ukrainian […]

A recurring theme in recent inspections of training providers, is a focus on the employer and their part in delivering an apprenticeship. Ofsted inspectors are increasingly keen to see that […]

I chatted to a chap recently who had just resigned from his job of thirty years.  When I asked him why he had decided to leave, he said “I realised […]

The Times last today revealed some shocking statistics around student loans, including the possibility that some students might still be paying off their loans when close to retirement.  It is […]

There is still an awful lot about apprenticeships that’s misunderstood. Despite the awareness campaigns, there are still a great many people – many of whom are parents – who think […]

This week’s highlight was attending the AELP Hair and Beauty sector forum.  Amongst other excellent presentations, we were particularly impressed by SAKS Education’s very impressive account of how they retained […]

Did you know that the 8th of February is Safer Internet Day? Internet safety is something that affects all of us, but perhaps most importantly, the learners for whom we’re responsible. This year, […]

Safeguarding is becoming an increasingly prominent consideration for all providers.  More and more providers are reporting that, at inspection, Ofsted are looking particularly closely at their safeguarding protocols. It is […]

We want to offer our heartfelt congratulations to our client Blue Sky Assessing and Consulting Ltd, on achieving the very prestigious DfE-supported Matrix Award in recognition of the high quality […]

It will be announced today that Universities could be fined for not helping graduates’ career prospects.  In part of this major Overhaul announced by Universities minister Michelle Donelan, Universities will […]

Like many of us who now spend considerably more time working from home, I find that I can fit in a few household chores during the day alongside my work. […]

We are currently experiencing possibly the biggest skills shortage in some key sectors, that has been seen in a generation. Especially affected are construction and hospitality. So what has caused […]

Thanks to everyone who attended the recent virtual VQManager user group. It’s the first time we have run the UG remotely and we were delighted with the way that everyone […]

The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, has made technical education a pivotal feature of the Budget today after declaring that “protecting, creating, and supporting jobs is my highest […]

Within this recently recorded on-line session, Rob Clark of Capita ESS considers the effects that Covid-19 has had on the delivery of FE learning. Amongst his findings, he applauds the […]

In a move that will surely be welcomed across our industry, the Government has this week announced the launch of a new organisation, The Association of Apprentices, to assist apprentices […]

Speaking to a group of AELP members today, Richard Pemble of OFSTED shared some interesting insights into OFSTED’s current strategy around its provider visits.  Richard is careful to use the […]

Just three of the areas for which, if you’re to achieve an outstanding inspection, you will need to be able to demonstrate excellence. And they are just three of the […]

In an announcement made during a visit to Exeter College on the 29th of September, the Prime Minister described a major new skills initiative that provides hope for the entire […]

As providers resume their activities, they find themselves working in a landscape which is somewhat different to the one we considered normal pre-Covid.   This often means that not just learners, […]

OFSTED recently conducted a survey of its providers, to find out more about the effectiveness of remotely deployed e-learning. When the feedback was distilled, two very clear messages emerged. Firstly, […]

Speaking at the SCTP virtual conference today (160720), Dr Richard Beynon of OFSTED provided some very interesting perspectives around the ways in which providers have reacted to the challenges of […]

Skillwise have contacted the ESFA to ask about supporting Apprentices remotely through knowledge aspects of their programmes if they are not employed, so that when they do return they will […]

Just one of the many areas that are likely to be disrupted by coronavirus precautions, is that of face to face assessment. We’re all being urged to travel less, and […]

At SkillWise we’re always on the lookout for innovative ideas in our market. We recently came across a new organisation called EPA Hub. They have created an idea we really […]

July ’19 – The Knife Crime Epidemic – as a sector, could we be doing more? I often visit the senior staff of inner city colleges, and when they wake up […]

In all likelihood, one way or another, within the next year we will have left the EU. Whilst the exact details of what the divorce agreement will look like are still […]