Education & Skills Policy

We work together with our colleges and stakeholders to create a better technical education system in the UK. Our network speaks with a collective voice about the key issues that impact the further education sector.

We produce thought leadership publications around topics including the apprenticeship levy, the devolution of the adult education budget and the commercialisation of the FE sector.

We aim to raise the profile of the Further Education sector within government and industry and demonstrate the value that colleges create for learners, employers and the economy.

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What we do on education policy

Collab Group engages with our members, government and industry to influence the solutions to policy implementation. We have developed positions on a range of issues that we see as crucial to harnessing the full power of our national technical education system. These issues include Brexit and the Industrial strategy, post-16 skills, talent acquisition, employability, the apprenticeship levy and devolution. We work with our members and stakeholders to publish points of view and position papers to articulate the kinds of changes that we want to see within the further education sector.

Policy

Featured Policy

Colleges and Employability

Policy

COLLEGES AND EMPLOYABILITY

We have released a document that showcases how Collab Group colleges are helping people into work

Policy

Colleges can help London Build Back Better

Collab Group has produced a document to coincide with the upcoming London Mayoral Election

Policy

Colleges supporting economic recovery report

Check out our report on how colleges can support economic recovery efforts.

Policy

Collab Group Position Paper on the Skills for Jobs White Paper

Check out this updated version of our position statement on the Skills for Jobs White Paper.

Policy

Collab Group Principals and CEO's reflect on Covid-19

Collab Group sat down with FE leaders to learn about their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Policy

Colleges can help London Build Back Better

Collab Group has produced a document to coincide with the upcoming London Mayoral Election

News

How can colleges best support London’s economic recovery?

This piece, by Asfa Sohail, is the fifth and final in a series of blogs in the lead up to the London Mayoral Election. This blog is about how colleges can best support London’s economic recovery.

Policy

UPDATED EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT PROSPECTUS

We have released an updated prospectus that showcases the relationships that Collab Group colleges have created with employers.

Policy

State of the Sector Report

Collab Group and Halpin Partnership have launched a brand-new report on the “state of the further education sector.” The report is based on an analysis of focus interviews conducted with 25 Principals and Chief Executives across UK Further Education colleges.

Policy

Further Education in 2020 a Prospectus for change

Collab Group has produced a series of policy recommendations that we think should inform the direction of future government spending within the further education sector.

Policy

Further Education in 2020: An Agenda for Change

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Adult Education Budget and Devolution in England

Check out our latest paper on Adult Education Budget and Devolution in England

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Employer Engagement Prospectus

This prospectus showcases the relationships that Collab Group colleges have created with employers.

Policy

The Devolution of the Adult Education Budget to the GLA

In this report, the impact of the Devolution of the Adult Education Budget to the GLA gets discussed.

Policy

2019 Collab Group London Colleges Prospectus

We have released our new Collab Group London Colleges prospectus with key information about our partnership.

Policy

College Governance: Opportunities and Challenges

In collaboration with Shakespeare Martineau, this paper discusses the importance of good governance in the FE sector

Policy

Making apprenticeships work for all - policy

In this publication, we argue for the need of the right building blocks to make a great apprenticeship system.

Policy

London Wants Talent

Our latest discussion paper produced in collaboration with London First; London Wants Talent.

Policy

Spotlight on T Levels

This article originally appeared on OCR newsletter.

Policy

Training the Leaders of Tomorrow | Document

The need for closer cooperation between financial services and the further education sector

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Skills in London: Bridging the Gap Between Business and Colleges

Discussion with CBI about collaboration between industry and colleges in London

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T - Levels: Employability in a Changing Economy

We worked with Emsi to produce this publlication based on T - Levels: Employability in a Changing Economy.

Policy

Opportunities for a Skilled London

Discussion on how further education colleges can support London’s economic prosperity.

Policy

What Will the Technical and Professional Education Provider of the Future Need To Be Successful?

Collab Group has been working with PublicCo and our member colleges and have launched this publication detailing the findings.

Policy

The power of technical education

This article originally appeared in the New Statesman

Policy

The Future Landscape For Technical And Professional Education

Collab Group has been working with PublicCo and our member colleges and have launched this publication detailing the findings.

Policy

Work placements – the crucial piece of the T-levels puzzle

This article originally appeared on TES

Policy

Social Mobility in Apprenticeships: Improving the life chances of young people

This article originally appeared in FE News

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Let's get the T-level transition period right

This article originally appeared on TES

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Employability in London by Collab Group London Capital Colleges

A Point of View from London Capital Colleges and CIPD.

Policy

T levels could be a game-changer – but we need answers

This article originally appeared on TES

Policy

The industrial strategy is ambitious —now the hard work begins

This article originally appeared on FE News

Policy

The Opportunities created by Cross-Border Collaboration

We have a chance to look within our own borders for answers to our common challenges and apply models that have already been tested and explored.

Policy

It’s not 1992 any more: the GFE has had its day

This article originally appeared on TES

Policy

Collab Group unveils apprenticeship partnership with Amey

This article originally appeared in FE News

Policy

The Economic Impact of Collab Group Colleges

This study shows through an investment analysis and impact analysis that CG colleges serve as a profitable investment for learners, taxpayers, wider society, and the business community in the UK.

Policy

‘Unfriendly’ UK immigration putting off non-EU students

This article originally appeared on TES

Policy

Brexit needs FE

The challenges faced by the British economy are considerable, but the reality is that we are leaving the European Union; the question then becomes how do we best meet these challenges and create an adaptive, resilient and highly skilled Britain?

Policy

The economic impact of FE Colleges (EMSI report)

EMSI report on the economic impact of further education colleges.

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Skills for Work, Skills for London

Over the past six months, the 157 Group and its members have been engaging, at a national level, in a number of initiatives aimed at seeking solutions to the challenges ahead in the further education sector.

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Institute for Apprentices Consultation response

The Institute for Apprenticeships will help ensure employers get the quality skills that they need from the apprenticeships system.

Policy

Devolution puts FE at the heart of economic success

Unlocking the potential for English skills devolution