Further Education at the centre of economic and social recovery: Next steps for Our Plan for Further Education
Since our original Our Plan for Further Education report, we have lived through a momentous year. The global pandemic has forced dramatic changes to take place across our economy and society and there has never been a more important time for the whole FE sector to play a key role in driving economic and social recovery.
In this Summary Report we provide you with key messages from Our Plan for Further Education and reflect on the changes that have happened since its publication. We look forward to continuing to work closely with policy makers, researchers, academics, lecturers, students and parents to build the narrative and drive for further change across FE.
Our Plan for Further Education
Authors: Dana Dabbous, Riya Patel and Chris Percy. Edited by Katherine Emms, Andrea Laczik and Olly Newton
This report brings together published research across the further education sector building on key debates such as the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, the lack of funding across the sector and the wide breadth of provision FE offers. Stakeholders and case studies of good practices from across the sector reflect on these debates by sharing their experiences. The report highlights the importance of FE defining itself based on its unique characteristics. Edge concludes with recommendations for the FE sector to be more defined, career and skills focused and collaborative.
Recommendations
- Defined – in setting a clear purpose and direction for its own future;
- Career and skills focused – by continuing developing close links with local industry to ensure colleges address the skill shortages in the labour market; and
- Collaborative – by taking on anchor roles within the heart of their local community, and sharing practice with the wider FE community across the UK.