Stephen Evans

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs Ministers are poised to announce new qualifications as 'third route' between A-levels and T Levels as colleges prepare to axe applied generals

We think the V stands for Vocational - but we'll see what the nation's teenagers think...

feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...

Thrilled to have @lincolnbishopuni.bsky.social join our #DrivingChangeHE project!

In partnership with Carers Federation, and supported by @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, Driving Change in Higher Education is working to improve the support young adult carers receive at university. 🎓

The Great Compression A rising minimum wage has helped the worse off — but is now edging uncomfortably close to the middle class

The lowest paid in Britain have enjoyed a 70% rise in the minimum wage over the last 25 years — in real terms.

But stagnant median earnings have left the professional classes able neither to afford the lifestyles of the rich, nor to match the upward mobility of those below.

My newsletter, out now.

That’s helpful clarification. Do you know if we’re talking 2/3 of 18-30s or a different age range? I’ll try and crunch some numbers and see a bit more of what it’d mean.

Yes, but I assume they’re talking about 18-30s (the focus on the 50% target) or possibly a narrower range. Agree we’re in the top group for tertiary on most measures though, although focused on one type of provision for one age group (which they’ll likely want to flex).

It’ll be interesting to see what they do mean. If it’s 2/3 of 18 year olds going to HE or an apprenticeship then that’s definitely different to 2/3 18-30s.

3. In short, not clear this is a step change in numbers. But a clear signal & something to measure action against & allows possible resource & numbers shift to vocational routes. And who’d have thought a PM would say FE is a defining focus of the Government. A lot done, a lot to do.

2. Targets can focus systems. So clear signal here is about apprenticeships for young people. Possible shift in numbers from HE to apps? How will we define ‘high quality’ and young people? I’m assuming L3+ & 16-30, which would mean some rises from now. But let’s see.

New target for 2/3 young people to do HE or an apprenticeship is probably broadly sensible (abolishing 50% HE target that doesn’t exist is about headlines). But is it ambitious? 25% of YP already do apprenticeships. 50% do HE. Some overlap & likely app drop since this data. But just describing now?

Khan puts business bosses in skills driving seat London Mayor Sadiq Khan is seeking employers in key sectors to join boards to 'ultimately lead commissioning' of skills, work and careers programmes.

In @feweek.bsky.social, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social comments on the GLA's plans to introduce sector employer boards in London.

💬 Stephen said he hopes “the new boards will look at increasing employer investment in training, which has fallen 36 per cent in the last 20 years.”

Chancellor to ‘guarantee’ job or training place to young NEETs New scheme to strip benefits from young people that refuse work or training in a bid to tackle rising NEETs

Great to see L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comment on the Government's plans to tackle youth unemployment in @feweek.bsky.social. ⬇️📰

Check out L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comments in @telegraphnews.bsky.social on how we can best support young people not in education, employment or training. ⬇️💬

@eirnolsoe.bsky.social

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... 🗞️

Pleased to be quoted in this piece. This is a really welcome step, though we need details on how we’ll ensure quality placements & support. We also need eligibility to encompass all who can benefit. Important to see as part of wider Youth Guarantee plans.

Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment

"It's important this offer is open to all young people who need it, regardless of their benefit status."

In @thetimes.com, @stephenevans.bsky.social welcomes the Government's plans to offer paid work to young people not in work or training, but calls for more details.

@chris-smyth.bsky.social

Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment

Pleased to see the Government funding work placements for long-term NEETs, like Future Jobs Fund. As I say in Times, q’s on detail re eligibility (should be open on voluntary basis to young UC health claimants) & placements (how long, which employers, what support). www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Rhetoric might focus on losing benefits if not taking up help. But actual announcement is paid work placements for 18-21s on benefit for 18m+. This is sensible, if not a huge group. Widen eligibility, ensure quality work, can make a real difference.

Learning and Work Institute's vision for a Youth Guarantee

Almost 1m NEETs is a real crisis. Over half have never had paid job. Schemes like Future Jobs Fund & Kickstart work. So this is welcome. But needs to be high quality work, open to all that can benefit, and part of a bigger plan to engage & support young people. learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...

Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment

Pleased to see the Government funding work placements for long-term NEETs, like Future Jobs Fund. As I say in Times, q’s on detail re eligibility (should be open on voluntary basis to young UC health claimants) & placements (how long, which employers, what support). www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

The young against the young The real battle is within, not between, generations

I’m with him on ‘Fortunate Son’ (but slightly surprised he didn’t touch very much on education).
www.ft.com/content/3a24...

Sickness benefits claimants will get training in push for return to work About half of those on the highest level of incapacity benefits cite mental health problems

In @thetimes.com, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social welcomes the Government's plans to increase job support for people on sickness benefits.

Stephen said this would refocus support to people who get little help today, but called for a broader plan to engage people and offer a range of help.

There's some interesting survey work on work intensification & how it's been rising within occupations (rather than just intense occupations growing & less intense shrinking). But faster in some (e.g. teaching & nursing) than others. www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...

Get ready for Get the Nation Learning Week!

Our #GetTheNationLearning campaign reaches a high point from 3-7 November. ⭐

It's a chance for the campaign’s supporters to amplify their voice, work together, and take action to get the nation learning.

➡️ getthenationlearning.org.uk/get-the-nati...

A fabulously inspiring message from @mchshe.bsky.social to 'never stop learning' the 'lightbulb moment' & how learning becomes more personal when you're an adult. Follow Michael's advice!

Striking data point from ONS today. Income inequality at lowest level in 40 years, with the low reached under the Tories.
From ONS dataset www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...

Ah that’s a shame. Catch up soon I hope.

Looking forward to attending & speaking at the Ruskin College Lifelong Learning Conference this afternoon. Hopefully see you there @andywestwood.bsky.social ?

Too many young people ‘getting out of the habit’ of working Pat McFadden, the new work and pensions secretary, made the claim as he ruled out further benefit reforms to focus on helping more young people find a job

"The number of people out of work and claiming benefits due to a health condition continues to rise. 2 in 10 say they would like to work but only 1 in 10 get help to find work each year."

In @thetimes.com, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social calls for "urgent expansion" of employment support.

🚨 NEW: Britain’s most powerful people are still 5x more likely to have been privately educated than the general population.

Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵

🤔 Where do Britain’s most influential people go to school and university? Which professions are the most socially excusive?

Tomorrow, we will publish Elitist Britain 2025, a landmark report updating on our previous research on elitism in 2019.

Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

Unlocking Wales’ Learning Potential: Why Adult Education Matters More than Ever | FE News | Unlocking Wales’ Learning Potential: Why Adult Education Matters More than Ever

📣Our Director for Wales, Joshua Miles, discusses why adult education is more important than ever for unlocking Wales’ potential.

He shares key findings from our latest survey!

Thanks to @fenews.bsky.social for the exclusive💜

#AdultLearnersWeek
#NeverStopLearning

shorturl.at/dOIiJ