In the Media
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Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group Principal and CEO, London & South East Education Group, reflects on the Good for Me, Good for FE campaign, citing the work of the Commission.
FE News/ Read here
Commissioners Nora Senior and Audrey Cumberford give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children And Young People Committee.
The Herald / Read here
Closer collaboration between Higher and Further Education can play a critical role in the Levelling Up agenda, both locally and nationally, says Richard Calvert, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University.
AHUA / Read here
Leaders representing the four UK nations have their say on HE and FE collaboration
FE Week / Read here
Every college-university relationship should be viewed as the mutually beneficial arrangement it genuinely is, says Sam Parrett
THE / Read here
Commissioner Audrey Cumberford reflects on the future of tertiary
RSE (The Royal Society of Edinburgh)/ Read here
Colleges and universities want better-defined roles for further and higher education - Research Professional reports
Research Professional / Read here
Paper says ‘too often colleges and universities have been pitted against each other - Simon Baker reports
THE / Read here
Universities and colleges have a lot in common. David Hughes and Richard Calvert ask what it would take to get them pulling in the same direction
Wonkhe / Read here
A report jointly authored by the Civic Universities Network and the Independent Commission on the College of the Future says governments in the four nations of the UK can go further and faster to improve cooperation between HE and FE - James Higgins reports
University Business / Read here
All adults in Northern Ireland should have the chance to take a Further Education qualification for free, according to a UK-wide experts body - the BBC reports on the Commission’s report for Northern Ireland
BBC / Read here
As the Commission publishes our report on the future of FE in Northern Ireland, Jackie Henry MBE explores its skills provision
Tes / Read here
Listen again to the interview at 1:55
BBC / Listen now
To articulate its real worth, the FE sector needs to emulate social enterprises and measure its social value in ways government can’t ignore, writes London South East Colleges’ chief transformation officer, Louise Wolsey, citing the Commission’s work.
FE Week / Read here
Public recognition of NHS workers has caused a spike in the number of people who want to train in health or social care. Zofia Niemtus explores what colleges can do to meet demand for placements at a time when resources are already depleted.
Tes / Read here
With the spotlight now on colleges in England, they must step into the challenges and seize this opportunity, says David Hughes, citing the Commission’s work.
Tes / Read here
Creating the colleges of the future means a focus on delivering digital inclusion and skills, writes Commissioner David Jones reflecting on the College of the Future for Wales.
Tes / Read here
The Independent Commission on the College of the Future has set out its vision and roadmap for the future of colleges in Wales.
BusinessNewsWales/ Read here
The FE white paper in England gives colleges the chance to become high-level providers of technical education as in other countries, writes Commissioner Professor Ewart Keep.
FE Week / Read here
Commissioner Professor Ellen Hazelkorn reflects on the learnings across the four nations about the future of colleges, sharing the Commission’s vision for the College of the Future for Wales and considering the potential for the Skills for Jobs White Paper to achieve the college of the future in England.
Wonkhe / Read here
Read about the publication of our Scottish College of the Future report and responses from the sector.
FE News / Read here
As the Commission publishes its vision for the College of the Future for Wales, Commissioner Ellen Hazelkorn assesses how the Skills for Jobs white paper measures up against its counterparts in the devolved nations.
Wonkhe / Read here
“It has been a long time coming, but it’s very encouraging to see the Government place its faith in the further education sector,” says The Sheffield College’s Angela Foulkes, citing the Commission’s work in England.
The Yorkshire Post / Read here
“The implementation of the White Paper and future legislation needs to enable colleges, and wider partners in the education system, giving them the space to adapt to ensure the system can sufficiently flex to retain currency and relevance in future in a dynamic world of work,” says Commissioner Lesley Giles.
FE News / Read here
“The government’s words today as they launch a white paper to ‘revolutionise’ post-16 education are welcome – it is clear that, finally, those who don’t go to university are starting to become a policy priority,” says Lord David Blunkett, citing the Commission’s work.
The Independent / Read here
“We have a lot to be proud of in our college system – but to keep pace with a changing world to ensure that colleges are truly at the heart of our economic and social recovery from the pandemic, we need decisive action, now more than ever,” says Commissioner Audrey Cumberford.
The Herald / Read here
Colleges produce educated, skilled and adaptable people – and they are vital in tackling inequality, says chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Liz McAreavey, reflecting on the Scottish College of the Future.
Tes / Read here
Dumfries and Galloway College’s leading environmental initiative, D&G: A Green Region, is included in the Commission’s Scottish College of the Future report.
The Galloway Gazette / Read here
“The conversation about the future of colleges is alive and kicking in the UK, and with the world changing at pace, it comes as no surprise that it is a hot topic across the globe.“ Commissioner Lesley Giles reflects on learnings from a British Council event.
FE News / Read here
The Commission on the College of the Future is calling for changes to the funding of colleges and the way the tertiary sector is run in Scotland - Julia Belgutay covers the Commission’s Scottish College of the Future report.
Tes / Read here
Read about the publication of our Scottish College of the Future report and responses from the sector.
FE News / Read here
How can colleges in the North East continue to support our communities and employers in the future? Niamh Corcoran, Policy Adviser, North East England Chamber of Commerce sets out her vision.
FE News / Read here
London South East Colleges is putting itself right at the heart of the Covid vaccination rollout - as its principal Dr Sam Parrett explains, citing the work of the Commission.
Tes / Read here
"In line with the recommendations from the Independent Commission on the College of the Future, this report argues that the post-16 system would benefit from strong leading institutions and clearer accountabilities.” - David Hughes says.
FE News / Read here
Olly Newton, Executive Director, The Edge Foundation, reflects on international perspectives for what works.
FE News / Read here
Covid-19 has caused significant harm to the economy and jobs – and even with a vaccine, that won't go away, writes Commissioner Nora Senior.
Tes / Read here
The Independent Commission on the College of the Future issued their report for England earlier in November, and its findings will, to some extent shape the future of colleges like ours in Bridlington, says Mike Welsh.
Bridlington Free Press / Read here
Commissioner Amanda Melton speak to the #SkillsWorldLive podcast.
FE News / Read here
The Independent Commission on the College of the Future rightly calls on college leaders to drive forward a positive change agenda, rather than waiting for someone else to tell them what to do, says David Hughes.
FE Week / Read here
It is right to acknowledge the role of colleges as anchor institutions and the need for education systems to be more connected locally, creating strong partnerships with local, regional and national employers,” says Principal Dr Sam Parrett OBE
FE News / Read here
The future colleges report’s call for a network strategy is eminently sensible as a corrective to failing marketisation, writes Stuart Rimmer responding to the Commission’s English College of the Future report.
FE Week / Read here
Former Shadow Minister Gordon Marsden references the Commission’s call for a statutory right to lifelong learning.
Labour List / Read here
City of Glasgow Principal Paul Little is confident of helping lead economic recovery over the next 10 years and beyond, referencing the Commission’s work.
The Herald / Read here
“Today’s students should also be the students of the future,” Lord David Blunkett reflects on the possibility for the college of the future to achieve the “Learning Age” as the Commission publishes its report for England
The Times / Read here
Labour's shadow education secretary warns that competition within FE does not serve the needs of learners, referencing with Commission’s English College of the Future report.
Tes / Read here
Read about the publication of our English College of the Future report and responses from the sector.
FE News / Read here
According to analysis by the Work Foundation and Totaljobs, 1.4 million low paid mid-career workers, defined as workers between the ages of 25 and 49, would not be able to take advantage of the scheme because it is only open to people without a level 3 qualification. The Commission’s recommendations are cited.
Personnel Today / Read here
“It is a prime example of how effective such collaboration can be and was referenced as a case study on People, Productivity and Place by the Independent Commission on the College of the Future.” - Teesside University College Partnership on their collaborative work.
The Northern Echo / Read here
A key message is centred around creating a more diverse and seamless post-secondary education system, embracing both vocational and higher education, in recognition that people’s life circumstances change.”, says Commissioner Ellen Hazelkorn.
University World News / Read here
To improve employability, we need to ensure all learners have essential skills like listening, speaking and problem solving, says Sir John Holman
Tes / Read here
College student associations have a role to play in the wider community. Will Stringer gazes into the future of Scotland's SAs.
Wonkhe / Read here
Following the publication of the Commission’s English College of the Future report, Vice Chancellor of London South Bank University Professor Dave Phoenix shows how his university works across the skills landscape and calls on government to set the direction for deeper collaboration across tertiary education.
Wonkhe / Read here
A new report visualises and sets out recommendations for the Government to introduce the “college of the future” by 2030, a critical institution in helping people become lifelong learners equipped with vital skills to progress into the working world.
HRreview / Read here
The UK’s skills gap could be tackled by creating sector specialist ‘employer hubs’ at local colleges and by giving every person a statutory right to lifelong learning, a group of experts looking at the role colleges can play in addressing skills needs has recommended.
Personnel Today / Read here
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, says “I am proud to say that in the West Midlands we are already on the road that the Commission on the College of the Future sets out for us.”
FE News / Read here
Radical, long-term education and skills reforms and investment are needed to address current and future skills gaps and transform life chances for every adult.
About Manchester / Read here
All routes must be equally valued and properly funded, and that all parts of the education system need to work together. Technical education is not second best.
Mirror / Read here
The world of work is changing – but colleges can keep pace with the skills future employees will need, says Commissioner Peter Cheese.
Tes / Read here
The Independent Commission for the College of the Future has laid out the changes that need to be enacted across the UK for the sector vision for 2030 to be realised.
Tes / Read here
Four commissioners share their priorities for FE reform.
Tes / Read here
The government should introduce a duty on colleges to deliver an education offer aligned to employer needs, a commission of leading FE figures have said.
FE Week / Read here