Professor Steve Petrie’s Post

🌟 Investing in Education, Investing in Our Future! 📚💼 Did you know that the apprenticeship levy can be a powerful tool for transforming our education sector? 💡 With a growing emphasis on continuous professional development for educators, using the apprenticeship levy for the training and development of our teacher workforce is a win-win solution. Here's why: 🔹 Empowering Educators: By utilising the apprenticeship levy, we can provide our teachers with access to high-quality training programmes, empowering them to stay at the forefront of educational best practices and innovation. 🔹 Enhancing Student Learning: Investing in the development of our teachers directly translates to enhanced student outcomes. When educators receive specialised training and support, they can create more engaging learning environments and tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of every learner. 🔹 Maximising Resources: The apprenticeship levy represents a valuable resource that can be strategically allocated to address the evolving needs of our education system. By investing in teacher training, we not only enhance the quality of education but also maximise the return on investment in our workforce. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities in education, let's harness the full potential of the apprenticeship levy to elevate our teacher workforce and shape a brighter future for generations to come. 💫 #Education #TeacherDevelopment #ApprenticeshipLevy #FutureOfWork

Latest from FE News: Who is the New Skills Minister?: The Department for Education has confirmed that Luke Hall MP is the new Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education. The announcement comes… Who is the New Skills Minister? was published on FE News by FE News Editor #EducationNewsUKHigherEducationNewsFENews Read more here:

Whats the Value of Creativity? The Conservative Party's plan to shut down university courses based on "future earnings potential" is fundamentally flawed. This plan overlooks the intrinsic value of education, particularly in the arts and creative sectors, which contribute £126 billion annually and employ 2.4 million people. By focusing solely on future earnings, the government risks decimating a dynamic, world-leading industry. The announcement doesn't specifically target arts courses, but they are sure to be hit hard by this plan. The real issue isn't the quality of arts degrees; it's the chronic undervaluing and exploitation of creative skills in the UK. Significant cuts to arts education and funding for cultural organisations already make it nearly impossible for graduates to find stable, well-paid employment in the arts. These cuts create a vicious cycle, disproportionately affecting those marginalised by poverty, disability, racism, and other barriers. To see real change, we must value the skills and creativity we rely on. This isn't just the government's fault; it's ingrained in our collective mindset. We need to stop thinking it's acceptable to ask artists to work for free. By fairly compensating creatives, we can ensure that the UK benefits from a vibrant and inclusive arts sector. The government should lead—not by cutting access to quality arts education but by championing the value of creatives and rewarding them appropriately. ... well thats my two cents.

Absolutely this! The devaluing of the arts, creative subjects, and creativity damages student potential and undermines one of our biggest assets in the UK - our cultural output. Creative subjects improve mental wellbeing, critical thinking, social mobility, inclusivity, and allow for a far more diverse range of teaching and learning that has better benefits for neurodiverse students. Plus the use of creative assessment modes also allows for much deeper learning than the current overly surface level (but cheap) process of examinations. If anything there needs to be a radical shift in education to actively encourage participation in arts based subjects, which would benefit all students, and extend creative practices to subjects typically not seen as 'creative' (STEM). It's a no brainer really.

- “Apprenticeship is a win-win for learners, workers, employers, and the economy. To make it as effective as it can be, everyone—including employers, policymakers, workforce boards, training providers, community colleges, four-year colleges, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations—has a part to play in boosting its presence. Schools should make a practice of including apprenticeship in their postsecondary recommendations, and apprenticeship providers themselves must ensure they are removing barriers and creating an inclusive experience for the next generation.” - Forbes - Full Article - https://lnkd.in/gzVa9pnG

- “Apprenticeship is a win-win for learners, workers, employers, and the economy. To make it as effective as it can be, everyone—including employers, policymakers, workforce boards, training providers, community colleges, four-year colleges, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations—has a part to play in boosting its presence. Schools should make a practice of including apprenticeship in their postsecondary recommendations, and apprenticeship providers themselves must ensure they are removing barriers and creating an inclusive experience for the next generation.” - Forbes - Full Article - https://lnkd.in/ghvrnSs6

The Conservative Party has announced a plan to shut down university courses based partly on "future earnings potential”. 1 in 8 students could see their course closed, with funding diverted to apprenticeships. We’re very concerned about the implications for arts education. A course’s value can’t just be measured by the paycheck you get at the end of it. Learning about the arts and developing creative skills enriches people and society. It can equip students to succeed in a wide range of fields – not least our creative industries. The UK creative industries generated £126bn for our economy and employed 2.4 million people in 2022. The UK excels in this area because we have nurtured the arts and creativity – in our schools, in our communities, in our national life – over generations. But recently, arts education has been shrinking at an alarming rate. Creative courses have been singled out for significant funding cuts. The Government has said they are “not among its strategic priorities”. HE providers have cut places, courses or even whole departments. The Conservatives say they want to “continue to support high-quality degrees which enable our growth sectors like the creative industries”. We are concerned that this policy would lead to unintended consequences – harming the creative industries and access to the arts. Arts courses open people’s minds and give them the skills they need to create. Too many have closed and are closing. We urge all parties to value and defend them. 

Have you seen the exciting news?⚡ In his latest economic address since the Spring Budget, the PM unveiled a significant set of reforms to improve small businesses' access to apprenticeship funding. Here’s what’s in store: 💸 £60 million in fresh investment earmarked to create up to 20,000 additional apprenticeships, catering specifically to young individuals (under 21) and small enterprises. 💡 Releasing unnecessary regulatory burdens, creating savings of approximately £150 million annually for numerous small businesses. 👩 A dedicated task force to amplify private investment in women-led ventures. The goal? To position the UK as the ultimate destination for female founders. These measures mark a pivotal step forward in empowering small businesses and creating an environment for growth and innovation. You can read more, here ➡ https://lnkd.in/e-dCYMDa

Have you checked out this article by Dannielle Croucher from The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB): Apprenticeship funding reform a step in the right direction, but long road ahead Yesterday, government measures to boost apprentice numbers and support for SMEs came into play. While a positive step for closing acute skills gaps, the National Centre for Universities and Business is calling for comprehensive reform to the #ApprenticeshipLevy. Check out what Danni has to say below: https://lnkd.in/en2ymu5s

In light of the alarming 70% labor shortage among businesses, it is imperative for the skills sector to prioritize an employer and learner-led skills system which offers a range of choices. Given the rapid development and evolution of the economy, accompanied by new technologies and novel ways of working, it is essential to establish a system that caters to the needs of employers and learners alike. The system should provide clear educational pathways that are highly customized, engaging, and relevant to their individual requirements, thus paving the way for future skills policies. This approach will eliminate any obstacles in the path of learners, employers, training providers, and other stakeholders in operating within the Skills system.