Evidence session: Further Education and Skills - Tuesday 3 June, 10:00
The Education Committee continues its inquiry into the further education and skills sector by exploring the experience of FE students and the increasing responsibility given to devolved authorities to fill local skills gaps.
In the first part of the session, experts will be questioned on topics including whether the Government could do more to assist colleges and schools to support students with mental health needs, students who are care leavers, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
MPs are likely to ask how students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can be supported, including with transport, and whether enough attention is paid to specialist FE colleges. There may also be questions about efforts by the Government over recent years to widen the pathways into higher education, and whether the schools sector could be better at informing pupils about the various FE pathways.
The second panel will examine the Government’s strategy to build a workforce that meets the needs of local industry, public services and the UK economy.
The Committee is likely to ask how Skills England can promote apprenticeships, how the Government can increase the uptake of technical education, and whether the array of technical qualifications and the curriculum are relevant to the needs of industry.
There may also be questions about how combined local authorities and metro mayors can direct funding for FE and adult education within their patch, and support collaboration between colleges and local business.
MPs are also likely to ask about the effects of cuts to adult education, and the Government’s decision to remove the requirements for those taking adult apprenticeships to have a GCSE grade 4 in maths and English.
Witnesses from 10:00
- Qasim Hussain, Vice President (Further Education), National Union of Students
- Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec
- Denise Rawls, Executive Director, National Network for the Education of Care Leavers
- Dr Emily Tanner, Programme Head for Post-14 Education and Skills, Nuffield Foundation
Witnesses from 11:00
- Dr Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive Officer, Skills Federation
- David Gaughan, Interim Director of Employment and Skills, West Midlands Combined Authority
- Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
- Dr Susan Pember CBE, Policy Advisor, HOLEX
