Further Education is a special sector that has a key role to play in the future - Ken Merry

The Further Education (FE) and Training sector has long provided vital skills to the UK economy, but the sector’s contribution has often been overlooked. As we face major national and global challenges – from the rising cost of living and climate breakdown, through to rapid technological innovation – FE’s importance is increasingly evident. The sector is crucial in developing a wide range of vital skills, and in making education and training accessible to all.
By Ken Merry
Published 15th May 2023, 06:00 BST

The Government recognised the central role of FE in its Skills for Jobs White Paper. It highlighted that FE is ‘perfectly placed’ to address the UK’s ongoing skills gap and signalled government support for FE, placing the sector at the heart of the skills agenda.

Recent research from the Education and Training Foundation’s (ETF) has found overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards FE and Training from across the wider population.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

More than four in five, 82 per cent, of UK adults agree that FE and training can be useful in advancing or finding a career or job. And almost 9 in 10, 88 per cent, of those with a friend, family member or colleague who had taken part in FE and training found it to be a positive step for that person in developing their career. These findings are encouraging.

'Barnsley College was originally established as a Miners’ Institute in 1932 to meet the needs of the local coal mining industry across Barnsley and the surrounding area.' PIC: Tony Johnson'Barnsley College was originally established as a Miners’ Institute in 1932 to meet the needs of the local coal mining industry across Barnsley and the surrounding area.' PIC: Tony Johnson
'Barnsley College was originally established as a Miners’ Institute in 1932 to meet the needs of the local coal mining industry across Barnsley and the surrounding area.' PIC: Tony Johnson

The more we can raise the profile of FE and all it has to offer, the more lives we can transform for the better and the more the sector can flourish as an engine of growth and opportunity in the UK.

Our FE sector provides life-changing opportunities for learners from all backgrounds and some of the success stories I have witnessed have been truly staggering. FE is also the future solution to our national skills challenge.

Leaders across FE work tirelessly and often demonstrate innovative ways of funding and providing excellent facilities to ensure that they can meet the needs of their regions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colleges have been integral to Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) and Strategic Development Plans (SDFs) and have worked closely with Chambers of Commerce across the country.

This work has been supported further by initiatives like College Business Centres and Institutes of Technology (IoTs) to ensure that national skills needs are addressed.

Barnsley College was originally established as a Miners’ Institute in 1932 to meet the needs of the local coal mining industry across Barnsley and the surrounding area. As a college, we have remained true to the purpose of delivering technical and professional education to local people who need it.

More recently, we have been seen as the solution to businesses’ skills challenges and work closely with the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and over 1,500 businesses across the region.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our leaders have positioned the college as an anchor institution in the borough, alongside the local authority and the NHS, and understand our civic duty to make a difference to the lives of the local population.

Our focus on transforming lives permeates everything we do as a college.

Further Education is a special sector. It ensures that people are better prepared for their next steps, it meets the skills needs of employers and it provides people with life changing opportunities through education and skills development.

Ken Merry is vice principal for quality at Barnsley College.

Related topics:Government