It’s easy to lose things when you move. Whether you’re picking up the keys to a new home or packing up your desk before taking on a new job, something always goes missing.
There’s one thing that disappeared when John Hayes switched jobs back in 2012 and hasn’t been seen since. And that’s a minister with “further education” in their title. That’s not to say the sector has been ignored. Far from it. Mr Hayes’ successors in the skills brief - Matt Hancock, Nick Boles and the current incumbent, Robert Halfon - have all made their presence felt.
And, on the face of it, the ministerial role’s oversight of FE hasn’t changed too much either. But while Mr Hayes proudly held the role of minister of state for “further education, skills and lifelong learning”, the FE and lifelong learning bits subsequently dropped off.
This is about more than semantics. It reflects the shift in political focus towards, almost exclusively, employability. This perspective has taken hold in the sector. Even Niace ditched “adult and continuing education” from its title when it rebranded as the Learning and Work Institute.
This is about more than semantics. It reflects the shift in political focus towards, almost exclusively, employability
This strategic shift makes sense - especially with the issue of employment and skills being brought sharply into focus with Brexit. But the unfortunate consequence is that the “education” part of FE appears to be being forgotten.
Whether you’re in a school classroom, a college workshop or giving on-the-job training, teaching is still teaching. And, in the lexicon of employability and productivity, there seems to be little space for pedagogy. This is to the sector’s detriment, and undermines much of the outstanding work it does.
There are reasons for optimism, however. The Education Endowment Foundation’s move into 16-plus education is to be welcomed, as is the news that ResearchED is holding its first conference on FE and vocational education in December, which TES is pleased to support. And the example set by teachers at Christ the King Sixth-Form College in embracing research in their daily practice is impressive.
The importance of preparing young people for the world of work is not to be underestimated. But let’s not forget that there’s more to FE than skills.
@stephenexley
