Features and opinion

Essential skills are key to work and daily life, so why don’t we assess them like occupational skills or knowledge? Dr Rebecca Conway, Director of Research and Innovation at NCFE, explains why we must change our thinking to tackle employability challenges.

Our Product Manager for Apprenticeships, Allison Chatten, outlines how England’s reformed apprenticeship assessment model introduces flexible assessment, and shares nine steps providers should take prepare for the transition.

Apprenticeship reforms are reshaping training in adult social care. Here our Sector Manager for Social Care, Claire Montague, outlines what the revised Adult Care Worker Standard means for employers, providers and new entrants to the sector.

Post‑16 reform details continue to emerge, signalling major shifts for providers. Here our Product Manager for Technical Education, David Rowley, unpacks what the latest consultation response reveals — and what the sector should prepare for.

Apprenticeship changes continue to be drip-fed to the sector, with the overarching message that they'll be implemented at speed. Here our Head of EPA Operations, Leanne Poole, shares what 2026 might hold as the reforms take effect. 

At NCFE, we’re gearing up to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by bringing you the latest information and statistics to guide your decision on whether studying an apprenticeship is right for you.

Emzi Mills-Frater, Product Manager at NCFE, explores how devolution is reshaping adult skills delivery, sharing sector insights, emerging challenges and opportunities for responsive local provision across regions.

NCFE’s innovation manager, Gray Mytton, shares his reflections from his first challenge event, where the fast‑paced, collaborative format revealed new ways to spark ideas and accelerate progress.