https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/16/the-guardian-view-on-apprenticeships-failing-the-young While the headline of this morning's Guardian's is correct, it's analysis falls far short....... It is not possible for the UK to emulate the German apprenticeship model. This continues to be based on a ‘social partnership’ where employers, trade unions and local state institutions work together to plan skill and employment targets, but also … Continue reading Apprenticeships: Guardian’s editorial falls far short.
As Education ministers pull plug on vocational qualifications, what future for BTECs?
The government has announced a further pruning of vocational and technical education. According to the DfE, there are some 12 000 different qualifications - many of which, it argues have few or no students. In this respect the decision to cull almost half of them, could as the Department claims, represent an attempt to bring … Continue reading As Education ministers pull plug on vocational qualifications, what future for BTECs?
Apprenticeship statistics – the good and the bad.
This week has been National Apprenticeship Week, with young people appearing on national media to promote the schemes. There are clearly some very good ones. But January also saw the release of new data on apprenticeship starts and apprentice profiles providing a very mixed picture. The good After a difficult period since the introduction of the … Continue reading Apprenticeship statistics – the good and the bad.
Despite the raising of the leaving age, one in six 17-year olds are not in full-time education
Despite being a statutory requirement, (even if LEAs and schools are without the resources, let alone the incentive to enforce it) latest figures show one in six 17-year olds, not in full-time education. As an alternative, a young person can take up employment with training, in other words some kind of apprenticeship, but only 6% … Continue reading Despite the raising of the leaving age, one in six 17-year olds are not in full-time education
Manufacturing jobs are not coming back.
Labour has always been the party of manufacturing. By the second half of the 20th century, factory workers had taken over from those working in ‘primary’ production as Labour’s main union base. A need to rebuild manufacture is now, if speeches by leadership candidates and trade union general secretaries are anything to go by, seen … Continue reading Manufacturing jobs are not coming back.
Forever young….
YouGov data in the last few days - showing Labour's still winning a large majority of the younger electorate. Confirming the new relationship between educational attainment and voting. But also, between occupational class and politics.
The Forward March of Labour Halted (once again)
Labour’s inability to defend its ‘red wall’ - working class constituencies in the North of England and parts of the Midlands has led to excruciating post-election media attention, concentrating mainly on Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. But declining support among the traditional working class has been an issue for many years. In response to Labour's 1979 … Continue reading The Forward March of Labour Halted (once again)
Income inequality and Labour’s mild tax reforms
Labour’s planned tax rises for those earning over £80 000 have attracted their fair share of controversy. While these will affect comparatively few (around 5%), some critics argue that Labour would have to impose wider increases in income tax to pay for its program. But as the graph below shows opportunities appear limited. Levels of … Continue reading Income inequality and Labour’s mild tax reforms
Climate apprenticeships or new green jobs?
Jeremy Corbyn has announced that a Labour government would deliver 320,000 new ‘climate apprenticeships’ during its first term – part of a wider commitment to creating a million high skilled jobs in a Green Industrial Revolution. There’s a general recognition that a Green New Deal would be kick-started in the building and construction sector, energy … Continue reading Climate apprenticeships or new green jobs?
Labour puts Adult learning back on the agenda
After a torrid debate about Labour’s spending plans, Angela Rayner has indicated which of the Party’s education policies will make it into next week's Manifesto. The Tories, themselves (at least officially) ditching the ‘austerity economics’ of George Osborne and Phillip Hammond, have continued to accuse Labour of ‘reckless’ spending. But as previous posts have argued, … Continue reading Labour puts Adult learning back on the agenda
Education, Economy and Society 