Features and opinion

Dave Rowley, our Technical Education Product Manager, outlines six takeaways from the Department for Education’s post‑16 reforms plan, including qualification subjects, delivery flexibility, new T Levels and funding changes for providers.

Our Director of Delivery, Sacha Finkle, outlines three key priorities for shaping the future of apprenticeships, focusing on clearer purpose, simplified assessment, and a more joined‑up, employer‑led system that supports progression and economic impact.

Our Product Manager for Apprenticeships, Allison Chatten, explores how this new apprenticeship will rebuild an essential route into work, helping young people gain skills and early career opportunities while enabling employers to develop talent pipelines.

Lauren Peart, Senior Research and Insight Manager at NCFE, examines how vocational and technical qualifications support progression to HE, highlighting their role in helping disadvantaged learners access further study and careers aligned to their interests.

Rebecca Conway, Director of Research and Innovation at NCFE, explores three ways assessment must evolve to better support skills development, improve learner outcomes, and reflect real‑world competence as qualification reform gathers pace.

Our Director of External and Regulatory Affairs, Julie Hyde, examines how rapid post‑16 reform risks worsening youth disengagement and makes the case for a phased, flexible approach that protects learners at key transition points.

As qualification reform continues, Michael Lemin, Head of Policy and Strategy at NCFE, explores three key lessons V Levels can learn from T Levels to support effective delivery, employer engagement, and clear progression pathways for learners.

Our Product Manager, Emzi Mills-Frater, explores how growing cyber security skills gaps across UK organisations are driving the need for accessible, high-quality training that equips learners with the knowledge to protect expanding digital systems.