Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee FRSA

We're excited to invite SMEs to our exclusive webinar on Tuesday, 9th July from 10am-11am. Hosted by the LSBU Apprenticeship Team, this session will delve into government funding opportunities, £1,000 apprentice incentives, and the benefits of levy transfers. Date: Tuesday, 9th July Time: 10am-11am (45-minute session + 15-minute Q&A) Platform: Teams (via Eventbrite) Why Attend? - Access Government Funding: Learn how to support your business growth. - Apprentice Incentives: Discover eligibility for £1,000 incentives. - Levy Transfers: Maximise your training budget and support workforce development. Register now to secure your spot and gain valuable insights to enhance your business operations and invest in your workforce's future. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dbBegBpB For more information, contact us at [email protected]. hashtag #SMEs #Webinar #GovernmentFunding #Apprenticeships #LevyTransfers #LSBU #BusinessGrowth #WorkforceDevelopment

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The future of UK higher education lies in collaboration. Our report with Jisc which examines how universities can leverage shared digital solutions for long-term sustainability and resilience is out now and available for download: https://lnkd.in/drm6mbmj

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📢 Webinar | Procurement Reform – What You Need to Know Significant changes are coming to public procurement in the UK, impacting education providers and public sector suppliers alike. Join us for an essential briefing on 🗓️ 20 November, 10:00-12:00, led by Walter Akers, partner at RSM UK. Key details: 🔹 New legislation in effect: The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 began on 1 January 2024, and the new Procurement Act (2023) will come into force in February 2025. 🔹 Why it matters: With the UK Government spending £259bn on goods and services in 2021-22, the scale of change will affect all public sector organisations and suppliers to the government. 🔹 What you’ll learn: Discover how these reforms will reshape procurement processes, what it means for suppliers, and how to navigate these transformative changes. Don’t miss this chance to gain insights into the most significant shift in Public Procurement Law in a generation. Register now! https://lnkd.in/e2W-Z4K7

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With the dawn of a new government, there are many opportunities for our sector. Ensuring that every individual thrives at work and has opportunities for learning and career progression across their lifetime is key to the success of the UK economy and to sustaining a fair and inclusive society. This is our focus at the Education and Training Foundation In my article in FE News I discuss the following areas: * Quality initial teacher education * Embedding professional status and recognition nationally * Ongoing professional development * Investment guided towards quality education and training Now is the time. As the dust settles in Whitehall, Department for Education minds will be turning from the whirlwind of campaigning to the seriousness of government and policy making. What we do know is that improving the quality of technical and vocational education and training, and the futures of its learners, requires a focus on high quality teaching and learning – and this ultimately rests upon the shoulders of policy makers, teachers and education leaders.

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While government action is crucial if we are to close the achievement gap between rich and poor, there are many things schools can do as well. ASCL Primary Specialist Tiffnie Harris offers five principles for building a successful programme in her article in SecEd: https://lnkd.in/eSvAjW93 #education #EducationMatters

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📈 Our SEND School Improvement programme focuses on 7 key areas—from Intent to Provision Mapping—helping leaders create and embed actionable plans to enhance SEND provision and outcomes. Learn more today ⬇️

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The Isos Partnership commissioned by the County Councils Network and Local Government Association has published their latest report ‘Towards an effective and financially sustainable approach to SEND in England’. Unsurprisingly the Report identifies the issues resulting in SEND system in crisis and the scale of the challenges faced. Improving outcomes for autistic children and young people is our core work at the Autism Education Trust (AET). We have always worked in partnership to cultivate system change that supports the upskilling of the education workforce and positive education experiences that support wellbeing for autistic learners. Autistic pupils' SEND needs account for 88% of the total increase in pupils with EHCPs between 2015/16 and 2023/24 - along with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, or speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). The Report shares a detailed analysis of the issues in the SEND system, crucially detailing recommendations based on a more inclusive conception of education with an overarching message that the root causes of this crisis are systemic and require national reform. I’m optimistic about a fresh and vigorous focus on the role of SEND inclusion within mainstream education. Moving forwards, it’s vital that we listen carefully to the views and opinions of key stakeholders’, in particular children and young people themselves. The full report can be read on the Isos Partnership website: https://lnkd.in/ehJEZPaq    The Autism Education Trust (AET) is widely considered to be the gold standard in good autism practice, offering the only Department for Education supported, CPD accredited culture change programme created in partnership with our panel of Autistic Young Experts, parents/carers, and our network of Training Partners, education professionals, experts, and specialists.    More information about our award winning training and development programmes here: https://lnkd.in/dDSVg6Be    #Autism #AutismEducation #GoodAutismPractice #DifferenceNotDeficit #AET #SEND 

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Bravo to the International Higher Education Commission (IHEC) Oxford International Education Group Rt Hon Chris Skidmore & all those involved in this report. It is worth noting that there has been no, Non-EU #graduateoutcomes data from HESA: Higher Education Statistics Agency since 2019, & at that point knowing how critical this data would be to the sector Asia Careers Group SDN BHD stepped in immediately to fill this significant data gap. Since then ACG has collected over 70,000 UK international graduate’s #career journeys, for over 60 UK universities & has undertaken this work unfunded by government &/or sector bodies. This data is now readily available to all UK #universities committed to “investing in international #futures” & data can be collected retrospectively for institutions if needed. The annual institution subscription cost is £9,950. Alternatively a report on the entire data set 70,000+ UK Non-EU graduates, could be made available to government &/or sector bodies for £350,000, if there is in fact a appetite to invest on behalf of a UK #highereducation sector under significant financial pressure at the present time. As one can imagine this has been a significant financial undertaking & one #hesa has been unwilling to take on. Let us hope the UK sector is now truly committed to understanding Non-EU #graduateoutcomes & supporting the transition of their #overseasstudents to the workforce both in the UK & even more importantly back in their home countries. Data also exists for all 40 #Australian universities should governments & or sector bodies wish to benchmark UK graduate outcomes against another English speaking study destination. “Graduate outcomes data was also a big part of the report – or the lack of it, which has been highlighted before by other organisations. “HESA stopped calling international students to save costs; the UK government mandated a 10% efficiency saving for HESA, & telephone follow-up… was a significant expense,” the report said, adding that such a decision was a concern for institutions & student bodies. Low response rates also mean a lack of evidence of the #employability of the UK’s #internationalstudents, – a critical decision-making factor for #students who are looking to the UK as a #study destination.” A Universities UK International report found just 3% of international student’s said they’re university #careersservice helped them find a job, up from just 2% in 2019. We all have to do a far better job in making good on our promise to international students & their successful transition to the workforce. Asia Careers Group SDN BHD AGCAS AUIDF British Council BUILA Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Jisc Office for Students National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) Russell Group of Universities UCAS UKCISA Universities Australia Universities Scotland Universities UK

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Are you a #careers leader or advisor who wants to know more about technical education pathways for young people? By this time tomorrow, you could be totally across the technical education landscape and understand more about about #apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications (#HTQs) and #TLevels. 11am Wednesday 18 September. Book below 👇

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In March 2023, in a significant development for apprenticeships, #UCAS embarked on a project to allocate Tariff points to UK Level 3 and SCQF Level 6 apprenticeships. This inclusion of #apprenticeships on the UCAS Tariff will enhance the visibility of pathways to higher education for apprentices, and support universities and colleges to understand apprenticeships alongside A levels, T Levels, and other Level 3 programmes of study. UCAS Tariff points for apprenticeships will be available for applications to higher education from September 2024 onwards. UCAS has developed a model for allocating Tariff points to apprenticeships. The model meets the aims and guiding principles of the project, set out in their engagement document. Now, UCAS wants to take the views of the wider sector on this model. Why not get involved and share your views on this project. For more information and to participate in the public engagement exercise, visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/gYKAVjKJ

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Important new changes in relation to the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework (AAF) announced today. DfE have now introduced benchmarked QAR data to the provider AAF dashboard, which will be reviewed as part of the management conversation and say it will "support the evaluation of each case through more transparent comparison of performance with providers delivering similar provision and therefore facing similar sectoral challenges." Its important to note that benchmarked data "will not lead to automatic removal of provision" and will not be shared or published publicly. Recognising that providers delivering similar provision may be impacted by different provider-level challenges, DfE will consider "wider contextual information" – for e.g. delivery location, learner and employer profiles, and cohort or provider size. Further detail on benchmarked QAR data can be found 👇 in Annex 1 #AAF #AskAshworth #Apprenticeships #Benchmarking #Quartiles #QAR AELP https://lnkd.in/e6_zrB_z

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DIGITAL INNOVATION HUB Our mission is to empower businesses in the #Black #Country and South Staffordshire regions by identifying growth barriers, uncovering innovation opportunities, and providing tailored support to help bring new ideas to life. https://lnkd.in/d5U8sMct SERVICES Innovation Audits: We assess and identify growth barriers and opportunities for innovation. Tailored Support Programmes: We create customised plans to address specific business needs, with ongoing mentorship. Knowledge Transfer Workshops: Our workshops with colleges give you access to cutting-edge expertise and hands-on training. Collaboration and Networking: We provide platforms and events to foster partnerships and share best practices. Access to Funding and Resources: We help you navigate funding opportunities and provide resources for growth. Technology Implementation Support: We assist in adopting AI, green technology, and cybersecurity solutions. Sustainability and Efficiency Programmes: We promote sustainable practices and help enhance operational efficiency. Cybersecurity Training and Solutions: We offer comprehensive training and measures to protect against digital threats. City of Wolverhampton College, Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect, Black Country Chamber of Commerce, supported by Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, EC-Council, ThirdWaveICT, GreenTech Hub, Your Digital Hub Limited, Experience Haus, Tesla Contact [email protected]

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The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will close, moving the ESFA’s School Financial Support and Oversight (SFSO) teams into the DfE’s Regions Group from October and other core functions by March 2025.   The DfE said the move will enable ‘a single joined-up approach to funding and regulation to improve accountability and drive school improvement seamlessly and well.’ It is an indication of the restructuring currently being undertaken in the department including the establishment of Regional Improvement Teams.   We will be watching with interest to see whether there will be any implications to capital funding following these structural changes within the department. https://lnkd.in/eWrnYtKM #DepartmentForEducation #DfE #EducationReform #ESFA #SchoolFunding #SchoolImprovement #CapitalFunding 

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Under the school chargepoint grant, the points can be used for revenue generation, but the institutions must ensure they comply with the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/ARtNW #StateFundedEducationInstitutions #InstallChargePoint #ReducingCarbonEmissions #BlackPearElectrical #EvChargingServices #OrganisationAcademyTrusts #StateFundedSchools #SupportEvCharging #WorkplaceChargingScheme #EvInfrastructureGrant

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