Bill published to improve the quality of technical and further education

The Further Education and Technology Bill plays at part in the government’s social reform agenda to deliver an education system that works for everyone.

This bill will build on measures set out in the government’s post-16 skills plan, developed in response to an independent report from an expert panel chaired by Lord Sainsbury. It includes the proposal to extend the role of the Institute for Apprenticeships to cover technical education. This move will mean the institute will now ensure that all technical training available to young people and adults is of the highest quality and based on the needs of employers.

The proposals set out in the bill also call for a financially resilient and stable education sector. In the event that a college becomes insolvent in the future, a new regime will be introduced to ensure that learners will be protected.

There will also be a new measure to require colleges and local authorities to continue to share information such as data on results.

The Technical and Further Education Bill will take forward these proposals, which were discussed in the post-16 skills plan and follow a public consultation on the introduction of an insolvency regime for further education and sixth-form colleges launched in the summer.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Robert Halfon said: “I am clear that to build a country that works for everyone, each part of the education system needs to deliver for our young people.

"High-quality technical and further education is not only vital in opening up doors to young people in some of the hardest to reach areas of the country, it also helps local businesses get the skilled workforce they need to drive up the productivity and economic growth that our economy needs.

“The reforms in this bill are fundamental to the government’s vision of ensuring all young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”