Fiona Aldridge

A new report highlights the scale of the challenge facing our sector: fragmented policy, chronic underfunding, and pathways that don’t always lead to occupational competence.

Dr @fionaaldridge.bsky.social, Chief Executive of Skills Federation, has responded:

www.fenews.co.uk/skills/furth...

The government has pledged to reform the failed Apprenticeship Levy.

Join us next week for the launch of new @thefabians.bsky.social research setting out the changes we need to boost growth and unlock opportunity 📈👷‍♀️

www.fabians.org.uk/event/launch... @cipd.bsky.social @fionaaldridge.bsky.social

In response to the Industrial Strategy published by the government today, Dr @fionaaldridge.bsky.social, Chief Executive of Skills Federation said:

#Investment #Government #Skills #IndustrialStrategy #Strategy

Apprenticeships, Growth and Skills Symposium, Manchester, 17 June 2025 This event will support senior professionals managing the delivery of apprenticeships in UK business schools and provide insights to the changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding.

Looking forward to contributing to today’s Apprenticeship, Growth and Skills symposium. I’ll be joining a panel to reflect on what the new Growth & Skills Levy means for employers, and how Business Schools can best support them to meet workforce skills needs charteredabs.org/events/appre...

Thanks Tom for your support. Looking forward to it!

Delighted to be joining the #SkillsEngland Board, helping ensure that skills policy and delivery meets the varying needs of sectors and places within a coherent national policy framework.

We’re proud to share that our CEO, Dr @fionaaldridge.bsky.social, will be joining a key panel at Lifelong Learning 2025, the Lifelong Education Institute’s annual flagship conference on the 29th of April.

More information 👉 www.lifelongeducation.uk/event-detail...

Thanks to @feweek.bsky.social for inviting me to share my views on the government’s proposals for shorter #apprenticeships. Let me know what you think?

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Skills Federation’s brand-new website!

With a fresh new look, our website is designed to better amplify the voice of our members and the vital work they do in driving the development of skills across their industries.

#SectorSkillsBodies

Great to be representing @SkillsFed at #ATC2025. Looking forward to contributing to workshop discussions on the role of employers in apprenticeships and training, and to speaking to delegates on how #ACE360 can help manage your EPA processes. Drop by our stand in the exhibition hall.

Really excited to see this new podcast, #StephOnSkills, hosted by Steph McGovern and powered by @skillsfederation.bsky.social member, #Enginuity.

A great listen for those interested in #skills, #innovation, and the future of #engineering and #manufacturing.

Listen here: bit.ly/3EHKIx3

The Lifelong Education Institute Annual Conference on 29/4/25 has a tremendous speaker line-up: @fionaaldridge.bsky.social @tombewick.bsky.social @stephenevans.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com @benrowland.bsky.social, Baroness Alison Wolf & more...

Register at www.lifelongeducation.uk/schedule/lif...

FISSS is now Skills Federation, reflecting our strengthened commitment to championing skills, training and workforce development across the UK. As the voice of our members, we drive change across the skills system: skillsfederation.org

We all understand that public budgets are tight, but hard to see how government can achieve any of its missions unless it invests in the education and skills of its people.

The ACE360 by Skills Federation team are delighted to be exhibiting at the upcoming ATC conference on the 10th and 11th of March!

Join us at the ACC Liverpool at booth A77 to meet the ACE360 team and stop by Alison Morris' Workshop and AELP's panel discussion including @fionaaldridge.bsky.social

FE Week | Further Education, Skills & Apprenticeships news The leading digital newspaper covering the Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeships Sector. FE Week is the trusted source for the latest FE news.

The DfE has rejected calls to merge CITB & ECITB after an independent review.

@fionaaldridge.bsky.social highlights the need for a joined-up approach: "Employer perspectives will be critical to shaping a skills system that meets sector needs."

🔗 Read more: feweek.co.uk

A turning point for skills? key opportunities ahead At the start of 2025 the UK is at a critical juncture, with recent government actions signalling a renewed focus on tackling the pressing skills…

The skills landscape is changing fast, bringing both challenges and big opportunities. But where should training providers, employers, and policymakers focus to stay ahead?

@fionaaldridge.bsky.social explores key trends shaping skills & workforce development on @fenews.bsky.social.

bit.ly/4hqutTi

Council of Experts The Mayor Richard Parker has laid out an ambitious vision to transform the region, focusing on four key priorities that will make a real difference in people’s lives. He wants to focus on:

Delighted to join the Mayor's Council of Experts to support his focus on 'Jobs for Everyone' - bringing insight & ideas from my experience within the region & from my current role working with employers & sector bodies to understand & meet the skills needs of industry www.wmca.org.uk/mayor-of-the...

Congratulations to all those receiving new years honours - and to the many thousands of brilliant people across FE and Skills that they represent. Great to see the sector celebrated in this way!

In 2023, unemployment in the European Union declined to the lowest point in over three decades

Various MCAs will have different views, but at WM we weren’t looking for devolution of funds, but more influence with our colleges on how this funding was used to support young people locally.

Devolution revolution? Not quite, but a welcome evolution The white paper is a hop and a skip forward, but there's still a big jump to go, says Fiona Aldridge

Read my piece for @feweek.bsky.social on whether this week’s White Paper really was a ‘#devolution revolution’ for #skills, or just another small (and welcome) step on a long journey. feweek.co.uk/a-devolution...

Make UK’s Industrial Strategy Skills Commission Launches Call for Evidence

The @makeuk.bsky.social #IndustrialStrategy Skills Commission has launched a call for evidence! As a Commissioner, I want to hear your views on #skills needs, challenges, existing initiatives etc. Contribute to this important work by responding here: makeuk.org/insights/pub... #UKmfg

Great meeting yesterday discussing #skills policy, #industrialstrategy, #devolution & the skills needs of #sectors. Brilliant opportunity to share thoughts on Skills England, Growth & Skills Levy, support for young people entering the labour market, & how we develop the skills needed for growth.

The DWP today published their plans to #GetBritianWorking, driving down unemployment & economic inactivity, of which a significant proportion of effort is focussed on young people. You can read it here: bit.ly/3ZmwQQB

If you are interested in #YouthEmployment, the 4 most relevant plans include:

We welcome the focus on place-based solutions & look forward to supporting MCAs to realise these ambitions, and ensure that all young people and adults are able to share in the benefits of regional growth. 4/4

Employer-led sector skills bodies, funded by their industries, can also provide UK-wide sectoral voices & vital support on skills issues; and help local areas understand the skills required to deliver on regional growth ambitions which can then be tailored to meet local need. 3/4

At Skills Federation, we welcome the approach set out to work in new and enhanced partnerships with employers. In some circumstances, the input of individual employers is needed, but not in all cases. 2/4

Really pleased to see that Gov't has today set out its strategy to help employers recruit, retain & develop the skilled workforce they need. The focus on supporting more people into work is the right one - for people & places, and for employers who need to fill vacancies. 1/4

Skills are critical to achieving government missions and to enabling industry to deliver economic growth. Good to see @pmdfoster.bsky.social highlight the risk that Skills England will be underpowered for the task ahead.