Four Nations Policy Network

SDS workshops on future of apprenticeships

Scotland

• Scotland’s ten-year National Strategy for Economic Transformation published March 2022 with investment prioritised in entrepreneurialism, skills and retraining, and the development of new markets and opportunities
• Final report on the National Discussion on Education published May 2023
• Final report on the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape published June 2023
• Scottish Government publishes its Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills in June 2023
• Final report on the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment published June 2023

Wales

• Stronger, fairer, greener Wales: a plan for employability and skills published March 2022
• July 2022 review of vocational qualifications launched. Report likely in July 2023.
• New Curriculum for Wales introduced in September 2022 for learners aged 3 to 16. Strong focus on skills, including mandatory cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy, and digital competence.
• Estyn published its review into 16-19 Curriculum in October 2022.
• Decisions of Made-for-Wales GCSEs consultation published June 2023. New GCSEs set to be introduced in September 2025.
• New work experience programme for young people at risk of leaving education announced in June 2023.
• Consultation on full 14-16 offer closed June 2023.
• Transitions to employment report by Hefin Davis MS published July 2023.
• Commission for Tertiary Education and Research due to be established in April 2024.

Northern Ireland

• Skills for a 10x economy - Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland published March 2022, setting a strategic framework for the development of the skills system to 2030.
• The Department for Education and the Department for the Economy published a joint framework Developing A More Strategic Approach To 14-19 Education And Training: A Framework To Transform 14-19 Education And Training Provision (June 2022) to create a more joined up and collaborative system.
• October 2022 interim report published on the independent review of education. Final report expected September 2023.
• December 2022 consultations launched on Principles for Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland and Level 4 and 5 Provision and Higher Education in Further Education.
• New funding was announced in June 2023 to support under-represented individuals access skills, education and employment opportunities.
• The Department for the Economy published its 10X Delivery Plan for 2023/24 in July 2023.

England

• Policy underpinned by the White Paper Skills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity and Growth (Jan 2021). Incudes:
  • Putting employers at the heart of post-16 skills e.g. Local Skills Improvement Plans
  • Providing the advanced technical and higher technical skills the nation needs e.g. T-Levels
  • A Flexible Lifetime Skills Guarantee e.g. Lifelong Loan Entitlement
  • Responsive providers, supported by more effective accountability and funding
    • Second consultation on this closed October 2022
  • Supporting outstanding teaching e.g. comprehensive workforce data collection
• Unit for Future Skills set up April 2022.
• Reviews of post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below (response published October 2022) and level 3. Changes to Level 3 qualifications due to come into effect in 2025. Government has been under pressure to reconsider the defunding of AGQs from the Education Committee and Ofsted. Labour has also committed to “pause and review” before implementing any changes.
• Manchester Combined Authority announced a Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) in May 2023, due to be introduced in September 2024.
• The Labour Party unveiled its plan for education in England in July 2023.
• The Government announced plans to crack down on “low-quality” university courses in July 2023.
• The Government announced £470 million of additional funding for FE colleges over the next two years to support recruitment and retention in July 2023.