In this interview, Bridgehead's Managing Director, William Walter, sits down with Adam Thompson, Labour MP for Erewash.

Prior to his election in 2024, Adam worked at the University of Nottingham as a research scientist, including a stint teaching degree apprenticeships in Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences.

In the interview, Adam reflects on his experience teaching degree apprenticeships, and explains why he sees so much potential in them. He also considers more widely the challenges facing the UK's skills sector - and how a concerted effort to drive up the awareness and availability of apprenticeships is key to tackling these.

Adam hones in on the opportunities apprenticeship offer in Erewash - including after recent announcements committing to the development of small modular reactors in Derbyshire.

Both Will and Adam reflect on how apprenticeships will adjust or contribute to the industries of the future - including the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.

 In this episode, I sit down with Richard Foster -Fletcher, global AI advisor, founder of MKAI, and ever present commentator on the implications of AI in FE. In our conversation, we explore his perspectives on the potential, challenges, and reality of AI in the sector.

We look first to the wider AI landscape: where it is, and where it's heading. We consider why and how the FE and skills sector might look to capitalize on AI's capabilities and indeed, where it might face obstacles in its implementation. We consider what AI could mean for the FE workforce, its students and its wider administration, and pick his brains as to whether AI is really an augmenter or an automator.

All that and more in the latest podcast edition of The Mark, we hope you enjoy

In our first ever podcast edition of The Mark, we sit down with Tom Burton, Head of Apprenticeship Delivery and Employer Engagement at York St John University.

In our conversation, we tackle Tom's perspectives on the “artificial dichotomy” between entry level and higher level apprenticeships, dive into his thoughts on the new growth and skills levy, look to the sector's future, and consider the potential of artificial intelligence for the FE and skills industry.