Oldham College’s Post

It was great to speak at this Conference last week. Thank you for having me Westminster Forum Projects - some amazing speakers to be alongside! A really interesting movement by Government to broaden access to learning opportunities for adults. But is it going far enough? More to come on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement soon. I do think it is important to know more about it if you are interested in supporting adults re-skill and find positive employment outcomes - just as the Learning People Global are doing for adult learners. #learning #reskilling #upskilling

The King’s speech outlined the new government’s legislative agenda for the year, highlighting an exciting and welcome focus on further education and skills. The Skills England Bill will reform the apprenticeship levy allowing flexibility on how to spend funds through growth. This is an important part of the changes and will raise apprenticeship quality and enhance training opportunities which will allow for long-term and sustainable investment in skills and training.

🎓 "The British state has tried to please everybody, and ended up satisfying nobody. It just isn’t possible to have mass higher education at low cost while also ensuring rising graduate salaries and financially solvent universities. Rescuing British higher education from itself will require a reformist zeal that could make William Forster blush. Let the ex-polys go bust, or else give them new life as technical colleges, charged with delivering a raft of high-quality apprenticeships through private-public partnership. Reform the broken funding mechanism, drawing on the experience of countries like Australia, which report both higher repayment rates and greater student satisfaction." ✍️ Our Sam Bidwell asks- must we keep failing universities alive? https://buff.ly/43jghp0

ICYMI: Classical schooling is an apprenticeship to the great minds and creators of the past, enabling students to develop their own thinking. Check out why this teaching style is making a comeback. from: https://lnkd.in/gqt_wrR2

Ahead of the King's Speech this week, we're calling for a Skills For The Future Bill, which incentivises businesses to invest in skills and widens the scope of the Apprenticeship Levy. Find out more about our five key asks for the Government👇 https://ow.ly/Bl0B50SBk83 #KingsSpeech #PeopleandWork #FutureoftheEconomy #WhereBusinessBelongs

Advancing British Standards? Exploring public attitudes towards a baccalaureate-style 16-18 education system. Read our new report as we unveil findings from our poll of 2,000 adults with Public First exploring 16-18 education, apprenticeships, and the Gov’s plans to introduce the ABS. https://lnkd.in/eTGQ8idX

Advancing British Standards? Exploring public attitudes towards a baccalaureate-style 16-18 education system. Read our report as we unveil findings from our poll of 2,000 adults with Public First exploring 16-18 education, apprenticeships, and the plans to introduce the ABS. https://lnkd.in/eS4wF9A9

A really good session at the Wonkhe festival of higher ed on the future facing HE chaired by Sam Freedman - particularly on: Is perception of vocational / academic split between FE / HE accurate… Should a government expand the Apprenticeship Levy as a means of funding unis given a reticence of any govt to tax businesses… How do employers skills first hiring approaches fit with non-vocational degrees… How can universities really provide online and hybrid properly… How can universities make it easier for older students to attend…

This course explores strategies for developing online and professional continuing education programs with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will examine how higher education institutions address the needs of underserved populations and their role in career exploration, upskilling, apprenticeships, and credentialing. By analyzing faculty and staff contributions, we will identify initiatives that balance financial sustainability with social impact. Students will share perspectives on program design, marketing, content strategy, and partner engagement, fostering innovative solutions for both institutional and community advancement. Learn more and register by June 21. https://ow.ly/cQtk50RJ1L8

It’s results season folks. ✨✨✨✨ All set up at Kings Leadership Acadamy to support the highs and lows of this big day. GCSE results day, a day of celebration and joy for many, might not be such a happy time for others. Having had a honour of working with the current year 11 cohort of this institution over the academic year, I am so proud to be able to wave them off today as they embark on their new adventures to schools, colleges and apprenticeships all over the North West, and remind them of how they can use their superpowers - their signature strengths- on this journey. The character strength of perspective is one I’m talking about a lot today and over the past week with A Level, GCSE, Leaving Certificate and any students receiving exam results. Being able to look at the bigger picture and reframe the situation to embrace other options and look at set backs, not as obstacles but opportunities is where the power lies. It enables students to challenge the limiting beliefs that hold them back if they feel they might not have received the results they required. Also the character strengths of kindness and love come to play largely here. Automantic negative thoughts can be challenged and replaced with greater self compassion and acceptance of the situation. Not always easy but, with practice, can be done. And then there’s curiosity and creativity. Great strengths to recruit when considering other options for future courses or opportunities that might not have previously been on the cards. Both strengths essential for psychological flexibility. Good luck to everyone receiving results over the next few days including friends and family in Ireland and the UK. You’ve got this. ✨✨✨