This party conference season has firmly placed the spotlight on colleges and apprenticeship training providers. Both Labour and the Conservatives have said they will prioritise technical education as we head into the general election.
The significance of this damascene conversion is not lost on those working in the sector, who have had well over a decade of feeling under-appreciated. While this new focus is to be welcomed, it begs the question: “Why now?”
Apart from the obvious need to fill the massive skills gaps in the economy, which cause productivity to flag and hamper growth, the striking answer is that prioritising vocational education and training is massively popular with the electorate.
A report by Public First for Progressive Britain, charged with finding out voters’ views on how to pay for university, uncovered resounding support for colleges and apprenticeships.
