The new prime minister has said it is 'vital we invest now in further education and skills'
In a recent address to parliament Boris Johnson said that more funding for the further education sector will be a "priority" of his government. He added that, “Yes, it is a great thing that 50 per cent of our kids should have the ambition to go to university, but of course it is equally important that other kids should acquire the skills they need that can be just as valuable, can lead to just as fantastic a career, and it is vital we invest now in further education and skills".
The new education secretary Gavin Williamson has taken responsibility for the apprenticeships and skills brief. It was previously understood universities minister Jo Johnson would take on the brief in addition to his responsibilities as universities minister.
However, the Department for Education has now said the new secretary of state will instead fill in for the skills minister, with support from children’s minister Kemi Badenoch.
A spokesperson for the department said that as five ministers were already appointed to the DfE, there would not be an individual skills minister.
“As the Prime Minister has said, further education and skills will be a priority for this government – and the Education Secretary taking the lead for this vital work is a reflection of that commitment,” the spokesperson added.
Appointing Williamson to the skills brief shows Johnson is “serious” about apprenticeships and further education, says the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ chief policy officer, Simon Ashworth.
The association has already written to Williamson about the funding challenges presented by the Apprenticeship Levy, especially the shortage of funds for non-levy SME employers.
Ashworth said they would also welcome dialogue with Badenoch about the funding of adult care worker apprenticeships and IfATE's refusal to approve a level 2 standard for business administration “even though her own department is employing apprentices on the framework at the same level”.
The Association of Colleges’ chief executive David Hughes said they are taking Williamson’s appointment as a “very positive sign” of new and significant investment in policy and relationships and funding for colleges.
It’s great that the sector is positive and the words from government are upbeat about FE. But and it’s a big one – we have been here before – time will tell if the money backs up the words. We are watching Mr Johnson.