News & Views

The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, has made technical education a pivotal feature of the Budget today after declaring that “protecting, creating, and supporting jobs is my highest […]

Within this recently recorded on-line session, Rob Clark of Capita ESS considers the effects that Covid-19 has had on the delivery of FE learning. Amongst his findings, he applauds the […]

In a move that will surely be welcomed across our industry, the Government has this week announced the launch of a new organisation, The Association of Apprentices, to assist apprentices […]

Speaking to a group of AELP members today, Richard Pemble of OFSTED shared some interesting insights into OFSTED’s current strategy around its provider visits.  Richard is careful to use the […]

Just three of the areas for which, if you’re to achieve an outstanding inspection, you will need to be able to demonstrate excellence. And they are just three of the […]

In an announcement made during a visit to Exeter College on the 29th of September, the Prime Minister described a major new skills initiative that provides hope for the entire […]

As providers resume their activities, they find themselves working in a landscape which is somewhat different to the one we considered normal pre-Covid.   This often means that not just learners, […]

OFSTED recently conducted a survey of its providers, to find out more about the effectiveness of remotely deployed e-learning. When the feedback was distilled, two very clear messages emerged. Firstly, […]

Speaking at the SCTP virtual conference today (160720), Dr Richard Beynon of OFSTED provided some very interesting perspectives around the ways in which providers have reacted to the challenges of […]

Skillwise have contacted the ESFA to ask about supporting Apprentices remotely through knowledge aspects of their programmes if they are not employed, so that when they do return they will […]

Just one of the many areas that are likely to be disrupted by coronavirus precautions, is that of face to face assessment. We’re all being urged to travel less, and […]

At SkillWise we’re always on the lookout for innovative ideas in our market. We recently came across a new organisation called EPA Hub. They have created an idea we really […]

July ’19 – The Knife Crime Epidemic – as a sector, could we be doing more? I often visit the senior staff of inner city colleges, and when they wake up […]

In all likelihood, one way or another, within the next year we will have left the EU. Whilst the exact details of what the divorce agreement will look like are still […]

At today’s AELP Conference in London, representatives of the Adult Care sector were hoping for some better news in their ongoing fight for increased funding, but were left bitterly disappointed. Some […]

There can be few providers who are not seriously considering issues of sustainability, or their ‘green agenda’. Whether it’s driven through corporate accountability, or simply wanting to do the ‘right thing’, […]

If we think about disabled learners (or for that matter, tutors), we often think about people with physical or mental issues that prevent them from being considered as mainstream. It’s […]

Speaking today at a meeting of SCTP training providers, Dr Richard Benyon of OFSTED provided some very useful clarification around the format and requirements of the new inspection framework. Dr Benyon […]

One of the more interesting debates around the coffee stations at the recent AAC Conference, was around the purpose of apprenticeship qualifications. One sentiment followed the belief that if, on initial […]

It was a great pleasure to attend the AAC conference in Birmingham at the end of March. As well as reuniting with some old friends and customers, it was an […]

At SkillWise, we recognise the great importance of ‘giving something back’ both as a company and as individuals. During the last year, whether as a result of a simple donation or […]

Most organisations spend much time and effort ensuring that they have good technology to protect themselves against cyber attacks. But did you know that probably the biggest risk to security […]

Another successful User Group meeting with our clients took place in London recently and we would like to thank all those who came along. It is always a pleasure to […]

We have great pleasure in announcing our 2018 VQManager User Group which will take place in London on Thursday 29th November. At SkillWise, we believe the best way to ensure that […]

The Apprenticeship Standards include a 20% Off the Job Training requirement within the apprentices employed time. This is the mandatory minimum amount of time that should be spent doing Off […]

In a recent City and Guilds briefing, the importance was highlighted of being able to create Learner reflective accounts (which back up claims of off the job training) and for […]

Increasingly, Awarding Organisations (AOs) are not only offering their own e-portfolios, but suggesting to their customers that these are the only e-portfolios they should use. But what happens if you deliver […]

We were please to attend the AELP conference earlier this week, where we took the chance to meet many of our customers and potential new customers.  Although much of a […]

April ’17 – SkillWise supports Capita at annual conference In late March SkillWise was proud to support Capita at its annual Further & Higher Education Conference. Unsurprisingly, much of the discussion […]

When you see the high quality of their delivery, and realise that they have qualified over 600 learners, it’s hard to believe that DA Training is just five years old. It […]