Chief Executive - Skills Federation (aka FISSS), the voice of employer-led sector skills bodies.
On the back of this week’s English #Devolution White Paper, and drawing on my experience at West Midlands Combined Authority and of the experience of Skills Federation (aka FISSS) members, I wrote this piece for FE Week. In it, I argue that, for #skills at least, the proposals represent more of an evolution than the ‘devolution revolution’ described in the paper. Let me know what you think.
Tom Bridges
1d
Excellent article. Thank you for sharing. I agree with you that while the direction of travel is positive, it is all very incremental and will not shift the dial.
Thanks Fiona - really helpful insight.
Excellent article #fionaaldridge - Merry Christmas 🎄 Lots to do in 2025!
Proactive Policy and Strategy Director
1dGreat article Fiona, lots to agree with. There's a few elephants in the room with school-age education too. Who will connect up Careers provision, which is very fragmented and not uniform in standards of service? Who will pick up pupils at risk of NEET, and 16-18 year olds who are NEET but are not connected to an education provider? What about workforce planning for major projects and transitions? The mooted changes to DWP / Job Centre plus will also need a lot of local integration and MOUs etc. I do feel that the current proposals are setting the wheels in motion though, and will hopefully build capacity and practice locally and regionally.