FE News Podcast: #FutureofEducation News Channel

FE News chat with Sally Dicketts, Group Chief Executive of Activate Learning. Sally Dicketts discusses the future of the FE system, particularly Collaborative systems and how thoughtful use of technology will help both the FE system, teachers and learners.

Sally hopes the FE system of the future will see more collaboration with employers and the world of work. She explains that with thoughtful use of 'Big Data' we can improve on the data we have already, then make better decisions about curriculum design and with improvements in technology this should also reduce the workload on teachers. Sally explains if we use technology more wisely, learning will be able to be more tailored and personalised to the learners and employers needs. She also hopes that if all of the above can fall into place then more money and energy can be spent on well being for staff and learners.

Sally also calls for more collaboration in IT and digital systems to meet the sector needs, with a requirement for a joined up approach to digital systems to meet the sector and multiple provider needs to create a more joined up system. We could then work more collaboratively, offer more time for learners to practice and collaboratively have more staff working with employers to understand what industry needs and wants through learning.

Check out the podcast from Sally to hear what she has to say.

FE News chat with Association of Employment and Learning Providers CEO, Mark Dawe at the Association of Colleges 2019 annual conference. We dream big with Mark, and discuss the future of the FE System. Mark discusses the different component parts of the FE System and sees the future as being more about collaboration than competition.

He then also reflects on his travels around the World (this year he has investigated the American, and Australian systems, whilst he also had a good explore of the leading Skills systems in the World when he visited Russia for WorldSkills 2019). Check out the podcast below to hear what Mark has to say about the FE System of the future.

FE News podcast with Mark Wright, Head of Leadership and Development at the Education and Training Foundation. Mark explains that the leadership succession pipeline is quite damaged at the moment, so ETF are working on repairing this at the moment with the sector.

Mark discusses the Leadership and development plan for Executive level and middle management which is the 'engine room' of the sector. Mark then discusses how coaching is being utilised in the future of leadership and development for the system and sector.

FE News chat with AoC's Chief Executive David Hughes about T Level Industry Placements at the #AoCConf 2019.

David discusses how some Industry Placements will be more straightforward that others, eg Childcare and Agriculture, compared to challenges of a 16 year old on a building site for construction. David explains that DfE may need to enable greater flexibility on the industry placement for certain specialisms as long as the intent and integrity of the placement is the foundation of the flexibility.

Check out Association of College's Chief Executive, David Hughes discussion on T Level Industry Placements.

FE News podcast with Cath Sezen, Senior Policy Manager - Further Education with the Association of Colleges. We caught up with Cath at the AoC Annual conference 2019. Cath chats about the T Level programme to date and what the future developments could hold.
Please check out the podcast below to hear what Cath has to say about T Levels:

FE News podcast with Martin Doel, Visting Professor and Associate Director Post 14 Centre of Education and Work at UCL Institute for Education.

We caught up with Martin at the #AocConf 2019 after he led an interesting breakout session at the Association of Colleges conference on How to Avoid Education Administration, which was a session primarily aimed at Governs to help them better understand Education Administration.

Martin shares his tips and advice in the podcast below. Martin's main tips are to triangulate information across the Principal and Finance Director and another source to have a balanced picture of the college. To enable the board to have independent sources of information within the college, consider the Financial Director's well being and enable them to have leave, and potentially to explore an audit whilst they are away to have an open look at the finances. Martin also recommends the Board to have space to have private conversations to discuss the progress or any concerns how the organisation is functioning, without the Executive present.

Please check out Martin's podcast below:

FE News chat with Lewis Cooper, Director, Independent Commission on the College of the Future at the Association of Colleges annual conference 2019. We chat with Lewis about the progress of the commission on exploring the College of the Future.
Lewis discusses the progress to date and gives some examples of their findings so far.
Click below to hear what Lewis has to say about the College of the Future.

#SkillsSurvey - IET launches its latest Skills and Demand in Industry report

The IET’s latest Skills and Demand in Industry report, published earlier this week (18 Nov), reveals that 60% of employers report recruitment of engineering and technical staff with the right skills the biggest anticipated barrier to achieving their business objectives over the next three years.

FE News catch up with Joanna Cox, Head of Policy at the Institution of Engineering & Technology to find out more about her views on how higher level technical training can help fill the Tech Skills Gap:

~How much of a role should employers have in supporting the development of skills that they are finding hard to fill?
~How could T Levels help?
~How can employers be encouraged to offer industry placements?
~How has the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy helped support an increase in higher level technical training, and what are the challenges with this?
~Which is more important, bringing in new talent, or upskilling existing staff?

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FE News catch up with @MatthewSyed at the #AocConf 2019 annual conference.
Matthew discusses Growth Mindset and Diverse Thinking for leadership teams.
Check out what Matthew has to say on the podcast below:

FE News chat with David Hughes at the AoC Conference 2019 as he discusses the importance of collaboration for an FE Renaissance in 2020