John Widdowson: government must give ‘proper and fair’ funding to FE

The success of the new levels 1-5 trailblazer Apprenticeships likely will much depend on the competence of the Principal Providers contracted by employers. The FE sector seems well placed to take up this role and fully engage with the newly approved Tech levels courses in particular. However colleges need to be properly staffed and equipped to do, otherwise presumably the full weight of Ofqual and Ofsted monitoring will be waiting to pounce on weakness. Meanwhile Degree level apprenticeships presumably also offer revenue generating opportunities at levels 6&7 for the HE sector, perhaps presenting a timely opportunity for some to get degree programmes accredited by the Professional Societies and Institutes, and then go on to achieve high standing in the expected TEF.