Which way now? By Catherine Sezen


The Government is keen to talk about the importance of improvement to skills training and productivity. What they, perhaps, don’t realise is that if young people are to go


into the jobs required to boost the economy, they must know that these jobs exist. In fact, they must know of all the options that are available to them. The current government has not indicated that it intends to pursue


the previous government’s announcement last January (2016), which would place a legal duty on schools to ensure that they allow other providers into their premises to talk to pupils and offer careers advice. So, what happens now? We know that some thought has been put into this as part of wider


plans for the future of technical and professional education through the report of the Independent Panel on Technical Education, chaired by Lord Sainsbury, and the Post-16 Skills Plan. These two documents aim to revolutionise technical education,


address skills gaps and increase productivity – arguably, as we head towards Brexit, this becomes more important than ever. People, especially young people, need to be excited about the opportunities offered by technical and professional training; from carpentry, catering and care, to hairdressing, horticulture and human resources. This will require an even greater revolution: a change in the way


we view technical and professional education. To support this there must be, as the Sainsbury report recommended, a focus on careers education, advice and guidance from an early age. This will require legislation. Perhaps even more importantly, we need to win hearts and


minds. All young people, parents or carers and, perhaps most importantly, school staff need to be aware of and embrace technical education routes. Apprenticeships must be viewed as being as aspirational as higher


education. Employers and alumni in skilled occupations must visit schools and/or offer work-shadowing opportunities and placements to engage with, and inspire, the next generation. Surely, if we’re in need of highly-skilled technicians, young people with those aspirations should be encouraged to find a practical course that suits them, rather than necessarily being advised to take A Levels and a university degree. Young people are highly brand conscious and media savvy.


Technical and professional education needs slick and attractive branding and we need to rethink the use of social media. So, let’s get technical education trending.


Catherine Sezen is senior policy manager for 14-19 and curriculum at the Association of Colleges


FESTIVAL AWARDS Nominations are open for the 2017 Festival of Learning Awards. There are four categories in the awards, which are designed to celebrate and showcase adult learning. They are: individual learners, employers, tutors and projects/provision. Within each category there are


dieent aads including oung adult learner, learning for work, social impact, outstanding individual, and patron’s and president’s awards. The Festival of Learning, previously


known as Adult Learners’ Week, is run by the Learning and Work Institute. The deadline for award nominations is 5pm on 31 March 2017.


For further details on the awards and to nominate, please visit goo.gl/UuGZ1v


INTUITION ISSUE 27 • SPRING 2017 7


DIGITAL SKILLS SUPPORT Research carried out by the Career College Trust suggests that teachers and trainers over the age o  lack confidence and capability in using technology. In response, the Education and


Training Foundation is working with the trust to develop four short online courses aimed at developing teachers’ skills in using social media. Please book places via the ETF’s online booking service at goo.gl/MloiZe View the ETF’s Digital Skills


Prospectus here goo.gl/IvkvFm


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